Chile Greenlights Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Chile’s regulatory agency, the Fiscalia Nacional Economica (FNE), has officially approved Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The agency concluded that the merger would not result in a substantial reduction of competition, clearing the deal within the Chilean market. This decision aligns Chile with a small group of nations, including Brazil, Saudi Arabia, and Serbia, that have already granted regulatory clearance for the transaction.

The acquisition remains subject to intense scrutiny in major global markets, particularly the United Kingdom, the European Union, and the United States. A primary point of contention among regulators is the potential for Microsoft to restrict access to the Call of Duty franchise, potentially making the title an exclusive offering for the Xbox platform. In response to these concerns, Microsoft has proactively entered into 10-year commitments to maintain the availability of the game on Nintendo platforms and Steam.

Despite these efforts, the company faces significant legal resistance in the United States, where the Federal Trade Commission has filed a lawsuit to block the acquisition. Microsoft has formally challenged this action, asserting that the regulatory opposition violates its constitutional due process rights. While the company continues to navigate these complex international legal hurdles, the approval from Chilean authorities serves as a notable milestone in its ongoing efforts to finalize the deal.