Microsoft cleared to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard
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The UK regulators have approved Microsoft’s revised offer to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard.

After blocking the original $69 billion bid in April, the Competition and Markets Authority said the deal addressed its concerns.

As a result of the green light, the gaming industry’s largest takeover in history has been accomplished after nearly two years of negotiations.

However, the CMA criticized Microsoft’s conduct despite approving the takeover.

In response to the CMA’s decision to block the takeover earlier this year, Microsoft’s president Brad Smith called the decision “bad for Britain”.

“Businesses and their advisors should be clear that Microsoft’s tactics are not acceptable ways to engage with the CMA,” said CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell.

In our initial investigation, Microsoft was given the chance to restructure, but instead insisted on a package of measures that would not work. Dragging out proceedings in this manner only wastes time and money.”

In the revised deal, Microsoft will grant Ubisoft the rights to distribute Activision’s games on consoles and PCs over the cloud.

While Microsoft has made a concession, games such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush will still generate huge revenues for the company.

In a statement, the CMA said the revised deal would “preserve competitive prices” in the gaming industry, as well as provide customers with greater choices and better quality services.