Microsoft’s Activision buyout could be approved by the FTC as soon as next month VGC Open main menu Lengthy FIFA players MultiVersus characters Disney Dreamlight recipe list First for Video Game News Follow VGC Microsoft’ s Activision buyout could be approved by the FTC as soon as next monthThe Xbox firm has reportedly triggered a 30-day window for any final challenges Video Game News 18th Jul 2022 / 11:54 am Posted by Chris ScullionMicrosoft‘s ongoing acquisition of Activision Blizzard could be approved by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) as soon as next month. The FTC asked Microsoft and Activision Blizzard for additional information in March as it continued to review their proposed acquisition deal. And according to paywalled merger news provider Dealreporter (via Seeking Alpha), Microsoft has now provided the FTC with the information it was looking for. As noted by the FTC’s own guidance (via Real Mi Central), this means the body now has 30 days to challenge the acquisition, otherwise the deal can continue.Subscribe to VGC on YouTube There are some caveats to this, however. As the FTC’s guidance on the process points out, both companies have to provide the required information before the 30-day countdown can begin. “Typically, once both companies have substantially complied with the Second Request, the agency has an additional 30 days to review the materials and take action, if necessary,” it says. It’s not yet clear whether Activision has provided its share of the requested information yet – if not, the 30-day window will presumably only start when it does. Once the FTC has received the information from both companies, there are three potential outcomes. The FTC could either:Close the investigation and let the merger proceed unchallengedNegotiate with the companies to add some agreed rules that will make sure the market stays competitiveSeek to stop the deal by filing for a preliminary injunction in federal court Further reading 8 Xbox’ s Phil Spencer says he’ ll let Activision’ s studios work on ‘ a variety of franchises’ “We’re hoping that we’ll be able to... work on franchises that I love from my childhood"If the FTC decides to close the investigation, the deal can move closer to being finalised. However, the other major caveat is that the deal is also being investigated by the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA), the UK’s equivalent of the FTC, as well as regulators in other regions. The CMA has set a deadline of September 1 to give its initial decision on the matter, and if it decides the merger shouldn’t go ahead for whatever reason, then the deal may still not be done. 20 Comments Related VGC Content Microsoft generated $2 9bn from Xbox Game Pass last year regulatory docs suggest23 hours ago Rivals asked for feedback on Xbox’ s Activision deal in leaked EU questionnaire4 days ago Brazilian regulator says Sony could compete without Call of Duty like Nintendo does5 days ago The FTC could reportedly rule on Microsoft’ s Activision deal by late November5 days ago Popular Now on VGC1 Harley Quinn voice actor criticises Chris Pratt Mario casting ‘ It should be Charles’ 2 Phil Spencer could be teasing Xbox s game streaming device in a new office photo3 Interview How PlatinumGames is betting on Nintendo expertise to shape its future4 Modern Warfare 2 will seemingly require a phone number like Overwatch 25 Platinum thinks hiring of Nintendo veteran can take the companies relationship to the next level More Video Game News6 New Xbox Game Pass titles for console PC and Cloud have been announcedJuly’s upcoming games include As Dusk Falls, Watch Dogs 2, MotoGP 22 and Inside2 months ago6 Comments1 US PlayStation shipments were reportedly up 400% last monthPS5 supply appears to be increasing as Christmas approaches1 hour ago1 Comment Overwatch 2 servers down for some as Blizzard removes two heroes temporarilyThe game's rocky launch has caused much fan frustration2 hours ago10 PlayStation owners can get Stray for free this week – even without a paid PS Plus subSony has quietly added a 7-day trial offer2 months ago10 CommentsBy commenting on this article you agree to adhere to VGC’s community guidelines. Notice: To display comments please allow the use of Functional Cookies in Cookie Preferences.