Microsoft has officially closed its $68.7 billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard, but the US government is still fighting the deal and is calling it "a threat to competition."

　　The Federal Trade Commission previously sued Microsoft to try to block the deal, but a judge agreed with Microsoft. The FTC is appealing the decision on a federal level following an earlier appeal denial, and that continues to be the organization's focus.

　　You need a javascript enabled browser to watch videos.

　　Click To Unmute

　　State Of Gaming Handhelds In 2023

　　How Lies of P Cracked the Souls GenreLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Ichiban Kasuga Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Chitose Fujinomiya Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Kazuma Kiryu Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Saeko Mukoda Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Eric Tomizawa Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Joongi Han Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Tianyou Zhao Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Seonhee Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Koichi Adachi Character Spotlight TrailerLike a Dragon: Infinite Wealth - Official Yu Nanba Character Spotlight Trailer

　　Share

　　LinkEmbed

　　Size:640 × 360480 × 270

　　Start at: End at: Autoplay Loop

　　Want us to remember this setting for all your devices?

　　Sign up or Sign in now!

　　Please use a html5 video capable browser to watch videos.

　　This video has an invalid file format.

　　00:00:00

　　HTML5

　　Auto

　　Report a problem

　　Sorry, but you can't access this content!

Please enter your date of birth to view this video

　　By clicking 'enter', you agree to GameSpot's

　　Terms of Use and Privacy Policy

　　enter

　　Now Playing: Activision Blizzard King Joins Xbox - Official Trailer

　　"We remain focused on the federal appeal process despite Microsoft and Activision closing their deal in advance of a scheduled December appeals court hearing," a spokesperson told Deadline.

　　The FTC said Microsoft's deal with Ubisoft to sell its cloud gaming rights "presents a whole new fact to the merger" that could affect American consumers. The FTC spokesperson said it will assess this as part of its ongoing appeals process.

　　"The FTC continues to believe this deal is a threat to competition," the group said.

　　Microsoft sold the cloud gaming rights to Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft to help convince regulators in the UK to clear the deal. As part of this agreement, Ubisoft gets the rights to existing Activision Blizzard games and all future games in the next 15 years in perpetuity.

　　Microsoft was always expected to go forward with closing its deal for Activision Blizzard amid the FTC appeal. As the FTC stated, it will argue its case in federal appeals court on December 6.

　　Microsoft now owns Activision Blizzard and all of its franchises, including Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. For more, check out GameSpot's rundown of every Activision Blizzard game that Microsoft now owns.

　　Controversial Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has said he will stay on, and report to Phil Spencer, until the end of 2023. After that, he's expected to leave with a pay package of $400 million or more.

　　The Biggest Game Releases Of October 2023

　　See More