What Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Deal Really Means

The decision in Microsoft‘s legal case against the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is a historic one, but for those who don’t have a law degree, it can be hard to understand. The case surrounds the Microsoft Corporation’s attempt to purchase the game developing and publishing powerhouse Activision Blizzard, Inc., an enormous conglomerate that counts Call of Duty, Overwatch, and Candy Crush among its flagship properties. Microsoft first announced its plans to buy Activision Blizzard in January 2022, and the FTC’s review began shortly thereafter. The legal battle began in earnest by June 2023, when the FTC filed its first documentation in the United States District Court for the Northern District of California.