Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard faces in-depth antitrust investigation in the UK

CTOnews.com September 15-Microsoft Corp.'s acquisition of game publisher Activision Blizzard is expected to face an in-depth investigation in the UK after the company failed to offer any remedies to allay competition concerns, according to the Financial Times.

Microsoft has chosen not to offer any remedy to the Competition and Markets Authority at this stage because the UK regulator is not prepared to accept any obvious commitments, people familiar with the matter said.

CTOnews.com reported that CMA said earlier this month that Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard would hurt competition in the console market, subscription services market and cloud games market, and they believed the deal should be investigated further. If Microsoft blocks competitors from Activision's best-selling games, the acquisition will hurt the industry.

Microsoft and Activision did not immediately respond to requests for comment, while CMA declined to respond.

The Financial Times said the EU may need time to review the deal. Meanwhile, the deal is also facing an in-depth investigation in Brussels because of its size and growing concerns from competitors, including Sony.

UK regulator: Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard will hurt competition