Microsoft plans to sell Activision Blizzard cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft to appease UK regulators

Microsoft has restructured its proposed acquisition of publisher Activision Blizzard and has agreed to sell the company’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft to appease the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

The details:

• The tech giant has now submitted the revised deal to the CMA (via VGC) in an attempt to close the deal in the UK, which remains the final major hurdle to the acquisition proceeding. The cloud streaming rights for Activision Blizzard's PC and console titles will be transferred to rival publisher Ubisoft for the next 15 years under the new agreement.
• This means that Microsoft will no longer be able to offer Activision's titles exclusively through its own cloud streaming service, and Ubisoft will now have exclusive worldwide rights to stream the games in addition to non-exclusive rights in the European Economic Area.
• The CMA had previously announced its intention to block the deal in April, citing concerns about Microsoft's control of the cloud gaming market and the potential for a monopoly. The original proposal has now been halted, but the regulator has confirmed that it will consider the revised version, with a decision expected before October 18.

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