The merger agreement between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard is due to expire on July 18, which would allow either company to walk away from the deal and triggering a $3bn break fee. However, after this week’s legal victory in the US courts and a potential lifeline in the UK, people close to the companies say they are likely to agree an extension to the deal early next week. “Things are moving quite quickly,” said one person close to the negotiations.
Financial Times
So the 18th is not really a deadline and the FTC’s tactics are not going to work. More than likely it is to cover the negotiations with the CMA.
I don’t mind and I sort of just poke fun at it, but I do wish he can also look positivity. He’s like a guy who is witnessing a happy ending for everyone, so he has to say a downer moment.
Me: Hell yeah! I won an Xbox!
Him: Yes, but 9/11 happened.
Me lost in sorrow.
Not the extension
Please… End this now
Yes, It’s likely because of the CMA reconsideration.
If they extend for a few weeks, they might not need to close over the CMA.
I’m glad that the next high undread message count will probably be for MS closing the deal and not some decision.
I am still confident they will close this weekend, MS has no reason to extend now and between all the COD games going on sale, the servers being fixed and ATVI being delisted next week, all signs are pointing to closing before the 18th
Man MS straight cooked them in their response
Yeah, I was hoping they’d get the greenlight from the UK and this story would finally leave the news cycle.
Or rather, that Microsoft could start making announcements for their new long term strategy. But I guess it should be over in a few weeks as long as the TRO is not extended today.
There is absolutely no scenario that exists where the CMA should be trusted. Do not extend the agreement for the CMA, this will just be dragged on for 2 years after they still decide to block for no real reason.
Honestly an extension to the merger agreement doesn’t surprise me based on events this week.
Way I see it is MS and CMA came to an agreement. MS probably wanted it resolved by 18th CMA said we need a new investigation process. Compromise was agreeing to them simply reviewing and redoing final order as part of existing process. Timeline for latest end of August set.
Said this morning that there was no real issue to stop an extension now everything is on course.
If a person reads nothing else they should read the first couple pages of this document. Microsoft really lets them have it.
I don’t mind waiting slightly longer, I just don’t want any more of these twists and turns
The FTC has ade it really easy for MS lawyers tho…
Im done with this for now. Ill come back to this thread once it reaches 100 plus replies
You’re not giving MS lawyers any credit, do you believe they’d fall for something like this? There’s no way they’d agree to an extension if things werent 100% in their favor
https://twitter.com/DMOptions/status/1679922881696808971?t=RI7G5bke47mov1wkHDFq3Q&s=19
I would be stunned if MS didnt close before Tuesday
Stupid question maybe, but the acqusition of ABK is a vertical merger. Assuming Microsoft’s publishing starts bringing more revenue then the platform revenue Xbox brings (hardware, subs, the 30% store cut etc) is there a possibility that a future attempt of acquiring another publisher to be seen as a horizontal merger?
Lets pray
It needs to be Over
Hmmm good question, Xbox is primarily a platform first so its a different part of the distribution chain