Microsoft may pull Activision’s games from the UK, Insider Gaming reports. As the tech giant prepares for its appeal hearing against the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in July, a new report from Bloomberg claims that the company is considering all options to get approval for its purchase of Activision Blizzard. This could even go as far as taking Activision out of the markets blocking the deal entirely.
Microsoft President Brad Smith is due to meet UK Chancellor Jeremy Hunt this week to discuss the CMA’s decision to block the purchase.
Microsoft President Smith is also expected to meet with Microsoft’s legal team to discuss any counter strategies. This meeting is also likely to discuss the ‘final’ option of withdrawing Activision Blizzard titles from the UK market.
“One of the extreme options could be to bypass the UK order and proceed with the deal or to withdraw Activision from the UK market.”
the report said.
Microsoft is expected to consider the EU’s findings in approving the purchase. In its ruling, the EU said the deal could “kick-start” competition in cloud gaming and streaming. However, the CMA said the deal would give Microsoft an unfair advantage over other companies such as Sony or Nintendo