Serbia Approves Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Acquisition as FTC Mulls Opposition

The Serbian government has granted unconditional approval for Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, marking a notable regulatory milestone for the tech giant. This development follows similar approvals from Brazil and Saudi Arabia. Despite these regional successes, the merger faces significant scrutiny in major markets, including the United States, the United Kingdom, and the European Union, where regulators have expressed concerns regarding potential market consolidation and the future availability of popular titles like Call of Duty on rival platforms such as Sony’s PlayStation.

In the United States, the Federal Trade Commission is reportedly considering an antitrust lawsuit to block the transaction. While the agency has not yet held a formal vote or met with legal representatives from the involved companies, it has conducted an ongoing investigation that includes depositions of key leadership, such as Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella and Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick.

To address mounting opposition in the European Union, Microsoft has signaled its intent to offer remedies to antitrust regulators. These proposed concessions reportedly include a 10-year licensing agreement aimed at ensuring continued access to its gaming catalog on competing hardware. The situation remains fluid as Microsoft navigates a complex, multi-jurisdictional regulatory landscape to finalize the acquisition of the publisher behind major franchises like World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch.