The most shocking news stories of 2022 were the reports that Microsoft was planning to purchase Activision Blizzard. Over a year later, the merger is still making headlines as competitors and governments examine how the game industry might perform, for better or for worse.
The Associated Press initially reported on the story, citing a person who declined to be identified. The EU has yet to make a formal decision in favor or against the merger, but it is expected to send a "charge sheet" to Microsoft before April 26, when the block will consider a decision. That charge sheet, which will equate to a warning that the merger would violate the block's anti-competition rules, might be issued within the week.
The initial revelation from a Reuters source indicates that Ryan and the EU's antitrust body are in touch. The meeting, which was scheduled for January 25, might be a sign that a charge sheet would be filed sooner rather than later. The gaming industry will be affected by the merger, both in Europe and elsewhere.
Sony has been among the most vocal opposers to the acquisition, claiming that it would impair its ability to compete in the console market. If the EU does issue a warning to Microsoft about the Activision Blizzard merger, it would create another enormous obstacle for the company to overcome before closing the largest transaction of its kind in gaming history. The Federal Trade Commission has already filed a lawsuit to stop the transaction, causing it to take years rather than months to complete.