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South Africa OKs Microsoft’s Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard

By  |  April 17, 2023

The South African Competition Commission has given approval to Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

The competition watchdog stated on Monday that the possibility of Microsoft and Activision making Call of Duty exclusive to Xbox in the $69 billion deal does not concern them.

“The Commission found that the proposed transaction is unlikely to result in significant foreclosure concerns as the parties do not have the ability and incentive to foreclose competing game distributors, particularly Sony (PlayStation) and Nintendo (Switch),” it said.

Read more: Microsoft Offers Concessions To EU Over Activision Blizzard Deal

“Furthermore, the merging parties have made undertakings to continue supplying Call of Duty games to other console manufacturers.

“Therefore, the Commission found that the proposed transaction is unlikely to result in a substantial prevention or lessening of competition in any relevant markets. The Commission further found that the proposed transaction does not raise any substantial public interest concerns.”

Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard has also been approved in Saudi Arabia, Brazil, Serbia, Chile and Japan.