Microsoft has achieved another significant victory against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its efforts to finalize the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The FTC's appeal to halt Microsoft's monumental $69 billion deal to acquire the company behind the iconic Call of Duty franchise was denied by the 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco. This decision, made by a three-judge panel, effectively ends the FTC's challenge to the July 2023 decision that initially allowed Microsoft to proceed with the purchase, which was originally announced in late 2022 (via Reuters).

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has been under intense scrutiny for over three years. Early opposition came from select U.S. Senators who raised concerns about the increasing consolidation within the tech industry as Microsoft expanded its portfolio. Both competitors and gamers expressed worries that the acquisition might lead to popular franchises like Call of Duty becoming exclusive to Microsoft platforms. However, Microsoft alleviated these concerns by confirming that it had no interest in barring certain franchises behind lengthy exclusivity periods.

Every Video Game Franchise Xbox Owns After Acquiring Activision Blizzard

View 70 ImagesDespite ongoing challenges throughout 2023, Microsoft successfully completed its purchase of Activision Blizzard in October of that year. The FTC's appeal posed a potential late-stage obstacle to normal operations, but with its efforts now thwarted, it appears their pursuit has come to an end.

For a comprehensive timeline detailing Microsoft's journey to finalize the Activision Blizzard acquisition, you can click here.