Microsoft Will Reportedly Finalize Activision Blizzard Deal On Friday, October 13

Microsoft’s journey towards acquiring gaming giant Activision Blizzard has finally reached its end. According to The VergeSources familiar with Microsoft plans have indicated the firm’s intention to complete the transaction on Friday, 13th October. It is not surprising to pick this day, even if it has a bad reputation (apparently Microsoft and Activision Blizzard executives don’t believe in superstition). In July, both parties agreed that the agreement would be extended to the 18th of October to address any regulatory issues. This date was only 12 days away at the time this article was published, meaning that the agreement would need to be finalized soon.

Microsoft’s legal team will still have to face a few legal issues before it is out of the woods. After restructuring the terms of the merger to grant Ubisoft the rights to stream Activision Blizzard games in the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority granted the deal a preliminary approval, but the regulator still has to make a final assessment sometime before October 18. Microsoft and Activision Blizzard still viewed the deal as an important win.

This news followed the companies’ victory over the Federal Trade Commission back in July. It seems likely at this stage that the agreement will be finalized, ending an saga which began nearly two years ago. Microsoft may be ready to put the matter to rest after documents leaked from hearings revealed Microsoft’s new Xbox, its hybrid console and their plans to buy Sega and Bungie.

[Source: The Verge]

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