Microsoft Settles Players' Antitrust Lawsuit Over Its Blizzard Deal

Microsoft has settled an antitrust lawsuit filed by gamers over the company's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The final verdict was given on October 14.

Both sides notified the court of a deal to dismiss the lawsuit "with prejudice," which means it can't be refiled. The terms of the agreement remain undisclosed. The lawyers in a court filing stated that "each party shall bear their own costs and fees" (via Hollywood Reporter). 

A lawyer for the gamers who filed the lawsuit Joseph Saveri wrote: "As time passes, Microsoft continues to increase its market power, prices have increased, games continue to be cancelled, development capacities continue to diminish, and Game Pass continues to trend towards a monopoly."

Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard last October, following almost two years of legal battles over alleged anti-monopoly violations. However, legal disputes didn't end after the deal was completed. Shortly after, a group of gamers filed a private antitrust lawsuit, claiming that the merger would negatively affect consumers by limiting product releases, reducing consumer choice, and raising prices. The judge dismissed the lawsuit because there was no proof supporting the claims. After that, the gamers updated the lawsuit and refiled it.

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