Microsoft-Activision merger approved by judge over FTC lawsuit

A federal judge has ruled the $69 billion merger of Microsoft and Activision Blizzard can proceed, in a decision released Tuesday. The Federal Trade Commission had sued to block the deal, arguing that it would stifle competition in the video game and console markets. But San Francisco Federal Court Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said the government could not prove the merger would hurt competition or represent a monopoly. She specifically focused on Activision’s biggest game, “Call of Duty.” “To the contrary, the record evidence points to more consumer access to...