Microsoft defeated the FTC and Sony in the battle for Activision Blizzard

On July 11, 2023, in a San Francisco court, the merger between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard was approved. Judge Jacqueline Scott Corney delivered the verdict in the following words:

"Court denies motion for temporary lockout. The Federal Trade Commission has failed to demonstrate that the combined company would abandon the Call of Duty series of games on Sony's PlayStation console, and that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision would result in a substantial lessening of competition in the market for game services and cloud gaming."

 Jacqueline Scott Roots quote

Implications for players

Microsoft publicly and in writing assured Sony executives that the Call of Duty series would not become an Xbox exclusive until 2033. The merger did not prevent the Call of Duty franchise from being released on other platforms. However, Microsoft now has the right to add any of Activision Blizzard's games to the monthly Game Pass subscription.

Microsoft is also committed to bringing the Call of Duty series of games to the Nintendo Switch as well, as maintaining access to such a popular franchise was one of the court's conditions.