FTC Sues to Block Microsoft's Acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Delaying Hope for China Server Revival

The gaming world was rocked by news that the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has officially filed a lawsuit to block Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Holly Vedova, Director of the FTC’s Bureau of Competition, cited Microsoft’s past behavior, fearing the merger would stifle competition across multiple gaming sectors.

Microsoft President Brad Smith stated the company is prepared to defend the deal in court. However, experts note that if the deal isn't closed by next July, it will require renegotiation. Combined with pending reviews from the EU and UK, the acquisition is facing significant hurdles.

For Chinese players, this is a major setback. Many had hoped that a Microsoft-owned Blizzard would lead to a smoother path for renewing domestic distribution deals. Now, with a long legal battle looming, the chance of a quick resolution for China servers is virtually zero.

The community response has been spicy, with players labeling the situation a 'messy cluster' (破事大集结). Users also found it ironic that NetEase—the former partner—is reporting on the news, with some commenters cheering for the deal's potential failure, expressing deep resentment toward Blizzard.