Selling Call of Duty Could Save Activision Deal, Microsoft Warned

With Microsoft's deal to acquire Activision Blizzard hanging in the balance, the gaming giant has been advised to sever the foot if it wants to save the leg, as decapitating Call of Duty might finally get the deal over the line.

The battle between Microsoft, Sony, and every governing body trying to prevent Activision Blizzard's purchase has been ongoing for some time now. It's at the point where each twist and turn has exhausted the community.

So, it's no surprise that compromises are beginning to be considered to get this deal wrapped up, or cancelled. Now Call of Duty might become that very compromise.

CMA Claim Selling Call of Duty Will Help Microsoft's Activision Merger

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The Call of Duty franchise is likely at the top of the list of things Microsoft wants to control with the Activision acquisition.

Regulators are now advising Microsoft to allow the deal to happen without the blockbuster franchise and walk away with Overwatch, World of Warcraft, Candy Crush, and the rest of Activision Blizzard's catalogue of games.

The UK's Competitions and Markets Authority (CMA) has recently revealed that Microsoft could reduce the effects the merger would have on the market by allowing Activision to sell Call of Duty to another suiter first.

Cited in the public statement titled "Notice of possible remedies", the CMA claimed that the "Divestiture of the Activision segment of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the Activision segment), which would include the business associated with Call of Duty," would help combat the investigations.

It also noted that throwing in the sale of the Blizzard segment, including World of Warcraft, would also be a huge factor in getting the deal done.

Microsoft Claim Activision Deal Could Harm UK Gamers

The CMA has not yet ruled against the merger in full, although its public notices seem to infer that this will be the decision, but has claimed that the deal damages the UK gaming market.

In another February 8 statement, the CMA added, "A CMA investigation has provisionally concluded that Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision could result in higher prices, fewer choices, or less innovation for UK gamers".

At the moment, Microsoft's purchase of Activision is looking to be in peril. Maybe sacrificing Call of Duty might have to be their unfortunate solution.