Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is taking a significant step forward soon as the EU approves the deal. This is a big deal after what happened with the Competition and Markets Authority. Even if the United Kingdom's regulatory body has already moved to block the deal, it has decided to impose further restrictions for both companies,
The CMA, acting as the main regulatory body, has a duty to preserve the competition within the UK market. It's under the belief that this merger could potentially stifle competition, prompting the CMA to take action.
According to the interim order, the CMA is restricting Activision Blizzard from acquiring any interest in Microsoft without a direct approval from the CMA.
Both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are giants within the gaming industry. As such, the CMA worries that the union could a monopoly. This concern has led to the imposition of various restrictions aimed at maintaining a level playing field for all competitors. The restrictions center around maintaining a competitive market, keeping gaming costs fair, and preserving the interests of the gaming community.