The moment of reckoning is approaching for regulators around the world who will rule on the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by $69 billion by Microsoft.

As we wait for the UK, EU and US to make firm decisions in the coming weeks, the South African Competition Commission has released a report endorsing the deal.

The document details that the Commission “found that the proposed transaction is unlikely to give rise to material foreclosure issues, as the parties lack the ability and incentive to foreclose competing game distributors, in particular Sony (PlayStation) and Nintendo (Switch). In addition, the merging parties have agreed to continue to supply Call of Duty games to other console manufacturers.”

The report also reads: “The Commission has concluded that the proposed transaction is unlikely to result in the substantial prevention or lessening of competition in any of the affected markets. The Commission has further concluded that the transaction envisaged did not raise any significant issue of public interest.”

Another region that welcomes Microsoft by acquiring the giant that creates games like World of Warcraft, Overwatch 2 or Diablo IV. All eyes are now on the UK (CMA), the EU (European Commission) and the US (FTC).

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