DESPERATE MEASURES
Activision Blizzard offers up streaming rights as CMA rejects initial acquisition proposal
Ubisoft would hold rights to stream Acti Blizz games for 15 years, in effort to save the deal.
- In this newfound proposal, cloud streaming rights for "all current and future" Activision Blizzard games would be transferred to Ubisoft for the next 15 years.
- Activision Blizzard and Microsoft has until October to get the CMA's approval, otherwise the acquisition will be toast.
- Instead, these rights will be divested to Ubisoft Entertainment SA (Ubisoft) prior to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision."
It continues, featuring a written statement from CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell:
"This is not a green light. We will carefully and objectively assess the details of the restructured deal and its impact on competition, including in light of third-party comments. Our goal has not changed – any future decision on this new deal will ensure that the growing cloud gaming market continues to benefit from open and effective competition driving innovation and choice."
"As a result of the agreement with Ubisoft, Microsoft believes its proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard presents a substantially different transaction under UK law than the transaction Microsoft submitted for the CMA’s consideration in 2022. As such, Microsoft today has notified the restructured transaction to the CMA and anticipates that the CMA review processes can be completed before the 90-day extension in its acquisition agreement with Activision Blizzard expires on October 18."
"Under the restructured transaction, Microsoft will not be in a position either to release Activision Blizzard games exclusively on its own cloud streaming service—Xbox Cloud Gaming – or to exclusively control the licensing terms of Activision Blizzard games for rival services."
- And as we continue to navigate the review process with the CMA, we remain as committed as ever to bringing the incredible benefits of the acquisition to players, developers, and the industry.
- Today’s development brings us one step closer to bringing the joy of gaming to players everywhere."
No comments:
Post a Comment