Good news for cloud-gaming platforms: Microsoft-Activision merger

Good news for cloud-gaming platforms: Microsoft-Activision merger

The EU has given its approval for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard; paving the way for this potential deal. As a condition set by the EU; Microsoft must guarantee unrestricted access to cloud gaming platforms for Activision titles through a “free licence arrangement.” This provision will enable the EU to make Activision games available on all cloud gaming services within its jurisdiction.

As EU stated that the free license would allow consumers in the EEA allow them to stream, via any cloud game streaming service of their choice. They can use the current and future Activision Blizzard PC and console games according to the license. Microsoft has committed to a ten years licensing agreement.

Brad Smith, the president of Microsoft in a tweet conveyed that the European Commission requires Microsoft to give licenses automatically to cloud gaming services of the Activision Blizzard games. This will be applied globally to enable millions of gaming consumers to play worldwide in their choice of device.

EU’s decision benefits gamers

The licensing agreement is beneficial for gamers who have already purchased the Activision games on PC or console stores, or subscribed to multi-game services, including Activision titles. They would be enabled to stream their games on every cloud gaming service and play irrespective of the device and operating system.

Microsoft would allow Xbox PC games to run on their competing cloud gaming services and for that has signed agreements with Boosteroid, Ubitus, Nvidia, and Nintendo. This will entitle ten-year access to Call of Duty and other Activision Blizzard games to the cloud gaming providers.

Issue of Microsoft

UK regulators have said no to the acquisition deal of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard but the EU has agreed a week later. The UK regulators have raised their concern for the cloud gaming market and believe the deal would limit the innovation and choice for UK gamers in the future. In recent months Microsoft is trying to convince the regulators and is addressing their issue.

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