FTC finally ends its fight against Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition as it drops appeal

by Danny Craig  · 
FTC finally ends its fight against Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition as it drops appeal
Activision Blizzard

The Federal Trade Commission has finally dropped its appeal against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, ending an unsuccessful multi-year battle with the gaming giants.

The details:

  • Months prior to Microsoft acquiring the Call of Duty publisher in October 2023, the FTC filed for a preliminary injunction to block the deal, which was then denied by the US District Court. It attempted to overturn the decision in December of that year, but it was officially rejected earlier this month after a judge ruled that the FTC's claim of a potential monopoly fell flat, given that rivals Nintendo and PlayStation also offer a number of platform-exclusive games.

  • After the latest ruling, the FTC has thrown in the towel and announced that it is dropping the case entirely. “The Commission has determined that the public interest is best served by dismissing the administrative litigation in this case,” the order dismissing complaint reads. “Accordingly, IT IS HEREBY ORDERED that the Complaint in this matter be, and it hereby is, DISMISSED.”

  • Responding to the news, Microsoft president Brad Smith wrote on X that the decision was a "victory for players across the country and for common sense in Washington, D.C," and thanked the FTC for the announcement.

  • Since acquiring Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has actively countered the FTC's claims of a potential monopoly by reaching agreements with its competitors to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation and Nintendo consoles. Xbox has also brought some of its franchises to other platforms over the past year, such as Gears of War, Forza Horizon, and Sea of Thieves. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has confirmed that the company intends to continue its successful multi-platform release strategy, stating that it will support the upcoming Nintendo Switch 2.

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