According to an analyst, the Redmond-based tech giant will have to make further concessions, but it could close its $68.7 billion deal, and Microsoft could own Activision Blizzard King.

Every year, Gamesindustry asks analysts what they expect in the new year. The most important topic of discussion was the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal, which was discussed by Ampere Analysis analyst Piers Harding Rolls, who is optimistic about the acquisition. However, he believes that Microsoft will have to make further commitments, or else the FTC (the US Federal Trade Commission), the European Commission, and the CMA (the UK’s markets and competition watchdog), for example, could scupper the deal.

” Will the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard King deal go ahead? Yes, but with further concessions. Those could be focused on the Xbox Game Pass inclusion of games and title availability on other services. I think there is a higher chance of the deal closing with concessions than of it being halted. When will the deal close? It could drag on into the second half of 2023, especially if the FTC’s case goes to court. If Microsoft agrees on concessions and avoids court, the first half of 2023 is possible.

The most extensive games subscription services missed their growth targets in 2022, but I think there is reason to be positive in 2023. I’m expecting Game Pass to grow significantly in 2023 because highly anticipated first-party games are entering the service. If the Activision Blizzard King deal goes ahead, expect more mobile games in Game Pass. I’m also hoping Sony will secure more of its third-party day one releases for PS Plus Extra and Premium, which will help drive adoption,” Harding-Rolls wrote.

It’s worth listening to him because many of his predictions for 2022 have come true, so he’s not as down-to-earth a figure as Michael Pachter, who now works at Wedbush Securities. Let’s hope that Sony will indeed strengthen PlayStation Plus Extra/Premium with new releases.

Source: WCCFTech