Microsoft may consider withdrawing Activision from the UK market
, by Thibaut
At the time of writing, only the UK CMA has chosen to oppose Microsoft's takeover of Activision Blizzard. Numerous countries and territories, such as the European Union, South Africa, China and South Korea, have given the acquisition the green light.
To get around the UK's decision, the American manufacturer is considering a radical solution. According to Bloomberg, Microsoft Chairman Brad Smith will meet with Chancellor Jeremy Hunt next week to discuss a number of issues. Artificial intelligence and its regulation will be on the menu, as will the infamous buyout that has proven to be so controversial.
Smith and several Microsoft legal representatives will then discuss the blockade orchestrated by the CMA, and may in all likelihood opt for an "extreme " measure... This would involve the outright withdrawal of Activision from the UK. However, should the publisher's operations be relocated to another European country, games could still come out in the UK via a third-party distributor.
Of course, we're not there yet, and Microsoft will be appealing to the court in July to oppose the CMA's decision.
Source: bloomberg.com