By Mauro Orru

The European Union has opened an in-depth probe into Microsoft Corp.'s merger with Activision Blizzard Inc., saying that a combination risks harming competition in the markets for the distribution of console and personal computers videogames.

The European Commission, the EU's executive arm, said Tuesday that it had until March 23 to conduct an in-depth investigation and make a final decision on the merger. The EU said Microsoft could foreclose access to Activision Blizzard's console and PC video games, especially high-profile titles such as Call of Duty.

Microsoft agreed to buy Activision Blizzard earlier this year in an all-cash deal valued at roughly $75 billion amid a flurry of deal-making in the gaming industry.

Write to Mauro Orru at mauro.orru@wsj.com; @MauroOrru94

(END) Dow Jones Newswires

November 08, 2022 12:06 ET (17:06 GMT)

Copyright (c) 2022 Dow Jones & Company, Inc.
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