Microsoft's $68B deal to buy Activision faces probe in UK

By Ovunc Kutlu

ANKARA (AA) - Microsoft's $68.7 billion offer to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard faces a probe in the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) announced on Wednesday.

The UK's competition and anti-trust watchdog said in a statement it is considering whether the merger would "result in a substantial lessening of competition" within any markets in the country.

It said the investigation will also consider "whether the deal could harm competition and lead to worse outcomes for consumers – for example, through higher prices, lower quality, or reduced choice."

The CMA has set the date of Sept. 1 as a deadline for its first phase of decision and invited relevant and third parties to comment on the deal between July 6-20.

Activision Blizzard has popular video game franchises such as Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, Warcraft and Candy Crush.