Activision Blizzard: CMA proposes acquisition without Call of Duty

UK regulator is proposing Call of Duty to be left out of deal upon acquisition.

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) preliminary report on Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard has been released.

In it, the CMA proposes that Call of Duty be removed from the deal. Based on previous conclusions, the acquisition may result in “higher prices, less choice or less innovation for UK players”. Therefore, a partial sale is proposed as a solution.

Possible scenarios would theoretically be the sale of the areas that belong to Call of Duty. The whole “Activision” segment from Activision Blizzard could also be a solution.

However, the CMA could also prohibit the takeover in its entirety.

VGC received a statement from Microsoft in which Rima Alaily, Corporate Vice President and Deputy General Counsel, said, among other things:

“We are committed to providing effective and easily enforceable solutions that address the CMA’s concerns.”

“Our commitment to providing long-term, 100% equal access to Call of Duty for Sony, Nintendo, Steam and others preserves the benefits of the agreement for players and developers and increases competition in the market.”

“75% of respondents to the CMA’s public consultation believe this agreement is good for competition in the UK gaming market.”

On the demand for 100% equal access, she also said: “What does 100% mean? When we say right away, we mean right away. 10 years parity. With the content. In pricing. With the functions. At the quality. In terms of playability.”