US Watchdogs Seek More Data From Activision, Microsoft Deal

The US Federal Trade Commission has sought additional data from Activision Blizzard and Microsoft related to the antitrust review of their deal, the games developer said in a regulatory filing on Monday.

Microsoft in January agreed to acquire the “Call of Duty” maker for $68.7 billion in the biggest gaming industry deal in history. The all-cash deal will bolster Microsoft’s firepower in the booming videogaming market, where it will take on leaders Tencent and Sony.

Microsoft will file for approval of the deal in 17 jurisdictions, the company’s president, Brad Smith, told reporters last month.

In order to woo US. and other regulators, the company said in February that it had developed a new set of principles for its app store, including open access to developers who meet privacy and security standards.

With the Activision deal, Microsoft will take on industry leaders Tencent Holdings and Sony Group. Sony Interactive Entertainment recently said it would buy Bungie Inc, creator of the “Halo” videogame, in a deal valued at $3.6 billion.

The FTC’s challenge of the deal is considered the first test to show its new approach to mergers since the joint consultation with the Justice Department’s Antitrust Division (DOJ) to review the merger guidelines.

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