Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have agreed to extend the merger agreement deadline which expired on July 18.
The new deadline for the merger to be completed is now three months later on October 18.
“Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have extended the merger agreement deadline to 10/18,” Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said on Twitter. “We’re optimistic about getting this done, and excited about bringing more games to more players everywhere.”
“The recent decision in the U.S. and approvals in 40 countries all validate that the deal is good for competition, players, and the future of gaming,” Lulu Cheng Meservey, Activision Blizzard’s CCO and EVP of corporate affairs said on Twitter.
“Given global regulatory approvals and the companies’ confidence that CMA now recognizes there are remedies available to meet their concerns in the UK, the Activision Blizzard and Microsoft boards of directors have authorized the companies not to terminate the deal until after October 18. We’re confident in our next steps and that our deal will quickly close.”
The news doesn’t come as a surprise as Microsoft works with the UK CMA to remedy the issues presented in the region in order to close the deal. In addition to that, Microsoft recently scored a major win when an injunction request against them by the FTC was denied.
Last weekend it was also announced that Microsoft and Sony came to an agreement on a 10-year deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation platforms.
When do you think the merger between Microsoft and Activision will be finalized? For more Insider Gaming, check out the latest installment of The Indie Initiative featuring Cross Blitz.
