Microsoft prevails again against the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) in its pursuit of Activision Blizzard.

A San Francisco appeals court rejected the FTC's attempt to halt Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of the Call of Duty publisher today, solidifying a deal first proposed in late 2022 (per Reuters). A three-judge panel's decision concludes the FTC's legal challenges against the July 2023 ruling that greenlit Microsoft's landmark purchase.

The tech giant's bid for Activision Blizzard faced intense scrutiny spanning over three years. Several U.S. senators initially opposed the deal, voicing concerns about tech industry consolidation as Microsoft expanded its gaming empire. While competitors and players worried about potential platform exclusivity for major franchises like Call of Duty, Microsoft consistently maintained its commitment to cross-platform releases.

Complete List of Xbox-Owned Game Franchises Post Activision Blizzard Acquisition

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After overcoming regulatory hurdles throughout 2023, Microsoft successfully closed the Activision Blizzard deal in October. Though the FTC's appeal threatened last-minute complications, the failed challenge appears to mark the end of legal opposition.

A comprehensive timeline of Microsoft's acquisition challenges is available here.