has hurdled some major obstacles in recent months as various regulatory boards and rival companies tried to block the deal. In a new development, New Zealand becomes the latest country to approve of the buyout.
New Zealand's Commerce Commission cleared Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard. According to the regulatory body, the deal is unlikely to substantially lessen competition in the country. New Zealand previously raised competition concerns about the merger.
While Activision games, in particular Call of Duty, are popular with New Zealand gamers, our enquiries did not find that they are likely to be 'must have' in order to compete with Microsoft in New Zealand," commission chair Dr. John Small said.
Microsoft, as expected, welcomed the approval by New Zealand. The tech giant reiterated that the deal benefits the gaming industry and gamers - a line they've trotted out repeatedly whenever another obstacle rolled away.
"We appreciate the thoughtful consideration by the New Zealand Commerce Commission of our acquisition of Activision Blizzard and welcome its decision to clear the deal unconditionally," a Microsoft spokesperson said to IGN. "This acquisition will ultimately benefit the gaming industry and gamers and we will continue to work toward closing the deal."