Microsoft and FTC face off in pre-trial showdown on January 3rd

A showdown is brewing between Microsoft and the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) over Microsoft’s $69 billion bid to acquire Activision Blizzard, the publisher of Call of Duty. The first pre-trial hearing is set for January 3rd, with the FTC seeking to block the acquisition.

Challenges Ahead for the FTC

The FTC is facing an uphill battle as Microsoft isn’t aiming for a direct competitor merger and is willing to make concessions. Microsoft has promised to release future Call of Duty games on competing platforms for 10 years and bring the franchise to Nintendo consoles.

Regulatory Scrutiny Continues

In addition to the FTC, the United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority is also conducting an in-depth investigation into the proposed merger. Microsoft remains confident that the deal will benefit consumers by providing greater access to Activision’s games on new platforms and in more affordable ways.