Microsoft, Activision CEOs expected to urge US judge to allow US$69 billion merger

WITH US antitrust enforcers determined to stop Microsoft from buying Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard, the companies’ two chief executives are expected to testify on Wednesday (Jun 28) that the US$69 billion deal will be good for gamers and should go forward.

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has asked a judge to stop the transaction temporarily in order to allow the agency’s in-house judge to decide the case. In the past, the side that lost in federal court often conceded and the in-house process was scrapped.

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is expected to testify on Wednesday morning, followed by Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella in the afternoon.

The case, which is being heard in federal court in San Francisco, will be decided by Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley.

The FTC says the transaction would give Microsoft exclusive access to Activision games, leaving Nintendo and Sony Group out in the cold.

To address antitrust concerns, Microsoft has offered to licence the blockbuster Call of Duty to rivals.

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Microsoft has argued that it is better off financially by licensing the games to all comers.

The deal has won approval from many jurisdictions but has been opposed by the FTC in the US and Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority. REUTERS