UK extends Activision deadline after Microsoft’s ‘complex’ proposal

British antitrust regulators on Friday extended their deadline to issue a final order blocking Microsoft’s USD 69 billion plan to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard, allowing them to consider the US tech giant’s detailed and complex submission” pleading its case.

The Competition and Markets Authority had rejected the deal the biggest in tech history over fears it would stifle competition for popular game titles like Call of Duty in the fast-growing cloud gaming market.

But the UK watchdog appears to have softened its position after a judge thwarted US regulators’ efforts to block the deal.