As part of the updated proposal, Microsoft will sell the cloud streaming rights for current and upcoming Activision games over the next 15 years to Ubisoft, should the acquisition go through. This alteration was made to address the CMA’s initial concerns about potential competition issues in the UK’s cloud gaming market. Last month, the CMA gave its preliminary approval after reviewing the amended proposal.
Martin Coleman, the chair of the independent panel overseeing the review of the original proposal, emphasized the importance of cloud gaming and noted that the original merger plans could have hindered its development. However, he acknowledged that the amended deal is “better for competition, better for consumers, and better for economic growth.”
Sarah Cardell, the CMA’s chief executive, underlined the significance of the sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft, ensuring that Microsoft won’t have a monopoly in this rapidly growing market. She stated, “As cloud gaming grows, this intervention will ensure people get more competitive prices, better services, and more choice. We are the only competition agency globally to have delivered this outcome.”
