Today's the day the UK's Competition and Markets Authority promised a verdict on whether or not it would approve Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The CMA has delivered on that promise, making the somewhat surprising decision to block the merger. Microsoft will naturally appeal the decision, which means the deal is not dead yet, and Activision Blizzard has responded to the CMA's ruling, labeling the lack of approval a disservice to UK citizens.This comes from Activision Blizzard CCO Lulu Cheng Meservey who issued a statement shortly after the CMA made its decision. “The CMA’s report today is a major setback for the UK’s ambitions to be a tech hub, and we will work with Microsoft to reverse it on appeal,” Meservey tweeted. “This report is also a disservice to UK citizens, who face increasingly dire economic prospects, and we will need to reassess our growth strategy in the UK.”Highlighting that many people in the UK are facing tough times financially amid rising food and energy prices might not have been the wisest way to approach hitting back against the CMA's decision. A higher-up from one multi-billion dollar company complaining about an inability to merge with another multi-billion dollar company using the dire situation many in the UK currently find themselves in doesn't really sit right, as has been reflected in the replies to Meservey's tweet.
Bobby Kotick has also weighed in on the decision (thanks, VGC), echoing Meservey's commitment to appealing the CMA's decision. "If the CMA’s decision holds, it would stifle investment, competition, and job creation throughout the UK gaming industry," Kotick wrote in response to the decision. "We know that this merger will benefit our employees, the broader UK tech workforce, and players around the world."
An appeal will be filed and even though the CMA has said no for now, the deal isn't dead yet. As Microsoft gathers itself and prepares for the appeal process, it also has the European authority's decision to worry about, the ruling for which is currently slated to be published next month. Certainly a body blow to the potential merger, and while it isn't over yet, shining a spotlight on the UK public's economic woes might not be the way to go about showcasing your disappointment over things not going your way.