Report: Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Deal is Likely to Receive EU Antitrust Warning

After the FTC filed a lawsuit to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard in the US, the company is reportedly likely to receive an antitrust warning in Europe. Reuters is reporting today that the European Commission is currently preparing a “statement of objections” where the organization will lay out its concerns regarding the $68 billion deal.

The report says that the statement of objections could be sent to Microsoft in the coming weeks. The software giant may need to make more concessions before the EU Commission announces its decision regarding the deal. The antitrust authority has set an April 11 deadline for that.

“We’re continuing to work with the European Commission to address any marketplace concerns. Our goal is to bring more games to more people, and this deal will further that goal,” Microsoft said in a statement issued to Reuters.

According to Reuters citing people familiar with the matter, “there are ongoing informal discussions on concessions.” Microsoft has already offered Sony to continue shipping Call of Duty games on PlayStation consoles for the next 10 years, though Sony reportedly declined. However, Microsoft signed a 10-year deal with Nintendo to bring back Call of Duty on the company’s consoles.

Even though the pressure is mounting on Microsoft to make concessions regarding its acquisition of the maker of Call of Duty, Diablo, and other blockbuster franchises, a recent survey from a Chilean regulatory body revealed that public support for Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition is Strong. The deal has already been approved in Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Serbia.