Microsoft Settles Lawsuit With Gamers Over Activision Blizzard Merger

As a long-time gaming enthusiast with countless hours invested in Activision Blizzard titles, I must admit my initial skepticism when Microsoft announced its acquisition of the legendary game studio. The ensuing legal battles only fueled these concerns, and I found myself standing alongside fellow gamers who feared for the future of our beloved franchises.


In 2022, when Microsoft unveiled its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard, it sparked several legal disputes, one of which was a tussle with the FTC aimed at thwarting the deal. However, Microsoft emerged victorious in that case. Now, another lawsuit concerning this merger has finally been concluded.

According to reports from Associated Press, Microsoft and a group of gamers have resolved their dispute concerning Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The details of the settlement are confidential, but both parties have consented to drop the case entirely, preventing it from being reopened in the future.

Microsoft has resolved a prolonged legal dispute, often referred to as “gamers”, who contested its acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This lawsuit has been permanently discontinued, meaning it can’t be reopened again.

— Tom Warren (@tomwarren) October 14, 2024

As a gamer, I’ve been following the legal saga between Microsoft and us gamers closely. The agreement we reached states that neither side will shoulder the other’s legal costs. This suit was initiated in a U.S. federal court back in 2022. But let me tell you, this might not be the last legal tussle stemming from the Activision deal. Earlier this year, the FTC submitted an additional brief to the same federal court, claiming that Microsoft’s alterations to Game Pass have breached the commitments they made to secure approval for the acquisition of Activision Blizzard from federal regulators.

After Microsoft submitted their rebuttal to the FTC, they expressed disagreement with the characterization of Xbox Game Pass as a subpar service. At this point, neither argument has been decided by the U.S. court. The current situation remains unaltered.

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2024-10-16 00:38