Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal under fire: is anti-trust action overkill?

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Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of game studio Activision Blizzard, which owns popular franchises such as Call of Duty and Candy Crush (through its division King), has hit a roadblock with regulatory authorities. The deal, valued at $69 billion, has come under scrutiny from the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC), which has filed a lawsuit seeking to block the merger.

While the FTC’s objections may be well-intentioned, some have argued that they are unfounded and driven more by anti-big business sentiment rather than any potential harm to consumers. The video game industry is already highly competitive, and the addition of Activision Blizzard to Microsoft’s portfolio could potentially bring more options and innovation to the market. It remains to be seen how the legal battle will play out and whether the acquisition will ultimately be approved.