A U.S. judge ruled on Tuesday that Microsoft can proceed with its planned acquisition of videogame maker Activision Blizzard for $69 billion after the European Union (EU) approved the deal between the two gaming companies.
Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) objected to the deal in April, arguing that it hurts consumers and that it was prepared to consider Microsoft’s proposals to resolve antitrust concerns in the United Kingdom.
The deal would be the largest for Microsoft and the biggest in the history of the videogame business. Activision shares were up 11.3 percent at $92.01, and Microsoft shares were flat.
