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Gamers File New Legal Challenge To Microsoft’s $69B To Buy “Call of Duty” Maker

By  |  April 11, 2023

On Monday, a group of video gamers submitted a new legal challenge to Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. This comes after a US judge rejected a previous version of the antitrust lawsuit last month.

In March, US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley dismissed the plaintiffs’ initial complaint, citing insufficient evidence to support their claims that the acquisition would have a negative impact on industry competition.

The judge stated that the plaintiffs had the option to file a new lawsuit that contests the biggest video gaming industry deal. Amended lawsuits are subject to review by the court and may be dismissed.

Read more: Gamers Sue Microsoft Over $69 Billion Activision Deal

The new 73-page lawsuit contained redacted assertions derived from Microsoft internal documents, including a strategy memo and other business reports that were “provided directly to the board of directors.” The complaint also contained information from rival Sony Interactive Entertainment.

Microsoft refutes the allegations made by gamers that the proposed transaction, currently under regulatory review in multiple locations including the US, Europe, and Japan, would impede competition.