A PYMNTS Company

Microsoft Inks Deal With Spain’s Nware, In The Wake Of UK Block

By  |  April 30, 2023

On Friday, Microsoft announced a 10-year agreement with Nware to make Xbox and Activision Blizzard games available on the Spanish cloud-gaming platform. This followed the recent decision by Britain to block Microsoft’s attempted acquisition of the “Call of Duty” maker, valued at $69 billion.

Microsoft’s recent agreement aims to address concerns regarding potential competition issues following its acquisition of Activision. The Competition and Markets Authority cited concerns in cloud gaming as the reason for vetoing the largest deal in gaming.

Read more: UK Watchdog Blocks Microsoft’s $75B Activision Blizzard Deal

The new partnership, along with other recent commitments, will enhance the accessibility of popular games on cloud gaming services, according to Microsoft President Brad Smith. He also acknowledged the emerging nature of the cloud segment in gaming.

The maker of Xbox consoles has signed comparable agreements with streaming platform owners such as Valve Corp, Nvidia, and Boosteroid, and intends to appeal the decision made by the CMA.

As part of an agreement to bring the “Call of Duty” franchise to Nintendo’s Switch, Sony was offered a 10-year license despite being a vocal opponent of the deal.