LONDON (AP) — British antitrust regulators on Friday decided to extend their deadline to issue a final order rejecting Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This extension allows them to carefully review the “detailed and complex submission” made by the U.S. tech giant to plead their case.
The Competition and Markets Authority initially rejected the deal, citing concerns over potential competition limitations for popular games like Call of Duty in the fast-growing cloud gaming market.
However, the U.K. watchdog seems to have reconsidered its position following a ruling that blocked U.S. regulators’ attempt to prevent the deal.
The authority states that it has postponed the original deadline by six weeks, until August 29, to thoroughly examine Microsoft’s response. Microsoft’s submission includes “material changes in circumstance and special reasons” to support their case against the rejection of the deal.
The decision made by the watchdog could indicate a positive outlook for Microsoft and Activision as they continue their efforts to finalize the agreement, which was originally signed nearly 18 months ago.
Microsoft had appealed the U.K. rejection to a tribunal, with a hearing scheduled for July 28. However, both parties have requested a suspension of the hearing to allow Microsoft to make revisions to the deal in order to address regulators’ concerns.
This announcement followed the U.S. Federal Trade Commission’s unsuccessful attempt to block the deal, resulting in a major victory for Microsoft. The FTC has filed an appeal against the ruling.