SAN FRANCISCO — Microsoft Corp. has reached a resolution in a lawsuit brought forth by a group of gamers seeking to prevent the company from acquiring the video game publisher Activision Blizzard for $69 billion last year.
The specifics of the settlement remain undisclosed; however, both parties have agreed to dismiss the lawsuit and will be responsible for their own legal fees and expenses, as stated in a court document filed on Monday.
The lawsuit was initiated in 2022 in a federal court in San Francisco, representing ten individual gamers who are enthusiasts of Activision Blizzard’s popular franchises, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, and Diablo.
The lengthy negotiation process, which lasted nearly 22 months, highlights concerns among competitors and regulatory bodies about the potential for Microsoft to leverage its expanding library of games to suppress competition. This acquisition is a part of a wider trend of consolidation in the gaming industry, which has raised alarm among independent game developers who fear being marginalized as resources shift focus toward established blockbuster franchises.
Microsoft has yet to provide a statement regarding Tuesday’s developments.