The South African Competition Commission (SACC) recently approved Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, despite an ongoing investigation by the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC). The acquisition, which was announced in September 2020, is valued at $7.5 billion and will see Microsoft become the parent company of one of the world’s largest video game publishers.

The SACC’s approval of the acquisition is a major victory for Microsoft, as it allows them to move forward with the deal without any further delays. The SACC’s decision comes after a thorough review of the deal, which included an assessment of the potential impact on competition in the South African market. The SACC concluded that the acquisition would not lead to a substantial lessening of competition in the South African market and that it would not significantly impede the ability of other companies to compete in the market.

The FTC’s investigation into the deal is still ongoing and is expected to take several months to complete. The FTC is looking into whether or not the acquisition will lead to anti-competitive practices in the US market. Microsoft has stated that it is confident that the FTC will find no evidence of anti-competitive practices and that it is committed to ensuring a competitive marketplace for all players in the industry.

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is an important milestone for the gaming industry. It will create a powerhouse in the gaming industry, with Microsoft now owning some of the most popular franchises in gaming, such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch. The acquisition will also give Microsoft access to Activision Blizzard’s extensive library of games, which includes some of the most popular titles in gaming history.

The SACC’s approval of the acquisition is a positive sign for Microsoft and for the gaming industry as a whole. It shows that regulators are willing to consider the potential benefits of such deals and are willing to approve them if they are found to be beneficial for competition in the market. It remains to be seen how the FTC’s investigation will turn out, but for now, Microsoft can move forward with its plans to acquire Activision Blizzard.