FTC Drops Case Against Microsoft: Activision Blizzard Deal Now Unstoppable!

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Summary

  • The FTC has dropped the case against Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition.
  • Microsoft continues to make ABK games available on non-Xbox platforms, such as PlayStation.
  • The resolution of the FTC case clears the way for Microsoft and Activision Blizzard to advance their plans for Xbox and multi-platform game releases.

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has formally withdrawn its objection to Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard. Given that the FTC’s initial attempt to halt the deal was dismissed in July 2023, this move may come as a shock to some. In October of the same year, Microsoft finalized the $68.7 billion acquisition, and since then, several Activision Blizzard games have been made available on Xbox Game Pass.

Even though the ABK acquisition seemed like a done deal back then, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) kept fighting it. A year and a half ago, they filed an appeal against the initial ruling. Fast forward to early May 2025, an appeals court sided with the original decision, denying the FTC’s request for an injunction. The panel explained that the FTC hadn’t provided enough evidence to prove the likelihood of success in any of their arguments against the acquisition. As a gamer, I can’t help but feel like this is one tough battle for them!

Following the decision made earlier, on May 22nd, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) announced the closure of their case against Microsoft. This was because it was determined that “it is in the public’s best interest to terminate this litigation.” The panel of judges who rejected the FTC’s appeal stated that the government body had not provided sufficient evidence to prove that Microsoft would prevent competitors from accessing popular gaming franchises, such as Call of Duty, after acquiring Activision Blizzard.

FTC Stops Opposing Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Deal

Instead of just Xbox, Microsoft has chosen to offer its ABK games on PlayStation and other platforms as well. For instance, Diablo 4 and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 were launched simultaneously on PC, Xbox, and PlayStation. Even exclusive games from the past like Senua’s Saga: Hellblade 2 are now making their way to the PS5 with improved features, smoother 60 FPS gameplay, and optimizations tailored for Sony’s console.

After the Federal Trade Commission chose not to challenge Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard anymore, Brad Smith – Vice Chair and President of Microsoft – expressed gratitude towards the commission for their decision. He described it as a “win” for gamers nationwide and a triumph for rational thinking in Washington D.C. So far, Phil Spencer – Head of Gaming at Microsoft – has not issued a separate statement, but he did share Smith’s post on Twitter. Similarly, Sarah Bond – Xbox President – also reposted the message.

Among Xbox community members, opinions are divided into two groups. Some were unaware that a legal case was ongoing since Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard appeared finalized. Those who closely monitored the situation foresee this outcome as predictable, as they believe the FTC’s case essentially lost ground two years ago. Regardless, with the FTC’s objection being the last significant obstacle for the deal, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard can now proceed freely with their future plans for Xbox, which could lead to more engaging titles on Xbox Game Pass and blockbuster releases across various platforms.

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2025-05-23 15:08