Microsoft moved to acquire the third-party video game developer in January 2022 for $68.7 billion. The purchase would be the largest in Microsoft’s history. That means more money and more jobs in our region potentially.
But the FTC is challenging the deal saying it would allow Microsoft to take games away from other platforms. Professor Kirkwood says the case could be in court very soon because of the FTC’s actions., Microsoft President and CEO Brad Smith admitted that Microsoft hasn’t sold the merger to everyone quite yet, including regulators.
“Obviously we have not yet succeeded in addressing the concern of every regulator but look at the end of the day you have to decide. Do you want to find a solution to every problem or do you want to find a problem with every solution?” said Smith. Smith says the FTC action to file a suit could actually speed up the decision-making process and said the company has confidence in its case and bringing it to court.
that the deal has an expiration in a little over a month on July 18, so we will see in the coming weeks whether Microsoft can truly become the industry leader in the gaming industry.