Overview
- The U.S. Federal Trade Commission officially dismissed its case against Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard on May 22, 2025, marking the end of a prolonged legal challenge.
- The FTC stated that continuing the litigation was not in the public interest, following the Ninth Circuit’s rejection of its appeal earlier this month.
- Microsoft completed the $69 billion deal in October 2023 after securing approvals from U.S., UK, and EU regulators, despite initial objections over competition concerns.
- Microsoft has maintained its commitment to keeping major franchises like Call of Duty available on competing platforms, addressing fears of exclusivity.
- FTC Chair Andrew Ferguson’s decision reflects a shift in the agency’s priorities under his leadership, focusing resources on other regulatory cases.