The Federal Trade Commission has sued to CANCEL the Deal between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard King

We knew they were planning to do this, but now they have done it.

The commission explains it this way:

Microsoft bought Bethesda and promised to release games on all platforms and then changed their mind. On the other hand here Microsoft is willing to sign papers for 10 years.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission is filing an antitrust suit against Microsoft’s deal with Activision. The agency will try to block the deal, which gives a big advantage over its competitors in the fast-growing market

Starfield’s exclusivity (though it would seem to have nothing to do with the Bethesda game) was the main reason for the lawsuit – a sign to her that the company would make Activision games exclusive to Xbox

This is one of the worst-case scenarios for Microsoft, as the lawsuit could drag on longer than the deal’s June 2023 closing date. And that’s against the backdrop of problems with approval of the deal in Europe

What’s the difference with Sony’s policy now?

Sony pays for exclusive content, in MWII for example it’s Oni operator for a year, a day of regular dual experience per month, early betas and a set per season. Microsoft will decide the fate of the franchise.

Microsoft, Activision and Bobby Kotick said:

Said they are confident in the deal and everything will be fine.

Something will happen:

Anyway, the hearing is set for August 2023, and the deal was scheduled to close in June 2023, which means nothing is clear at all right now.