Activision intervenes in Microsoft challenge to UK regulator’s block

“Call of Duty” maker Activision Blizzard has been given permission to intervene in Microsoft’s legal battle with Britain’s anti-trust regulator over its decision to block the $69 billion takeover.

Microsoft is appealing against the Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) decision to veto the deal, which it did in April on the grounds it could hurt competition in the nascent cloud gaming market.

The shock decision jeopardises gaming’s biggest-ever deal and drew a furious response from the companies, which questioned whether Britain remained open to tech firms.