The British regulator approved the deal between Microsoft and Activision

The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has approved the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by the corporation Microsoft. About it reported on the UK government website.

The CMA recalled that in August Microsoft made a concession and agreed that Ubisoft would acquire the rights to Activision’s cloud games. The changes to the deal were a condition of the regulator due to concerns that Microsoft could make games from one of the largest developers and publishers exclusive to its cloud gaming service.

“As a result of this concession, the CMA agreed to take a fresh look at the deal and began a new review in August. The review concluded today with the CMA approving this narrower transaction,” the statement said.

New deal option assumes, that the cloud rights for all existing games released over the next 15 years from Activision will be transferred to Ubisoft Entertainment. The CMA noted that this would not allow Microsoft “block competition in cloud gaming as the market matures” and the deal will maintain competitive prices and services for cloud gaming customers in the UK.

The department pointed to “residual problems” associated with the deal. They added that Microsoft has committed to fulfilling the terms of the sale of rights to Activision to Ubisoft.

The deal became known in January 2022. Microsoft announced its approval, calling it the largest in the history of gaming (and its own). The deal with Activision Blizzard is worth $68.7 billion ($95 per share). The developer owns the Warcraft, Call of Duty, Overwatch, and other franchises.

In May, the deal was approved by the European Commission, and in July by the San Francisco court; earlier, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTS) demanded a temporary ban on it. To complete the deal, Microsoft must receive unanimous approval in nearly 20 countries.