Microsoft’s proposed $68.7 billion merger, a landmark deal for the video gaming industry, has been delayed significantly as the United Kingdom and European Union raise worries about competition if the acquisition goes forward as planned. The European Commission, which appears to be more cautious than the Brazilian Administrative Council, which authorised the agreement last month, announced an in-depth probe. Only Saudi Arabia has authorised the deal, with more nations expressing reservations that seem to reflect, at least in part, Sony’s arguments, which have used the Call of Duty franchise to illustrate why the merger may be expensive for the industry.
