Microsoft to meet with FTC commissioners regarding Activision Blizzard acquisition, report says

Microsoft president Brad Smith will reportedly meet with Democratic commissioners of the Federal Trade Commission on Wednesday to further discuss the company's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. This follows recent reports that the biggest hurdle Microsoft could face in getting the merger approved may come from the U.S. regulators.

The New York Post reports, citing "sources close to the situation," Smith and several attorneys for Microsoft will sit down with Democratic FTC commissioners. They comprise three of the four members of the panel, including chair Lina Khan, Rebecca Kelly Slaughter, and Alvaro Bedoya. Smith will meet the FTC commissioners individually, with the obvious agenda being Microsoft's ongoing attempt to acquire Activision Blizzard for nearly $69 billion in an all-cash deal.

Particulars of the Wednesday meetings were not mentioned in the report. But Smith is expected to emphasize its offer of a 10-year deal with Sony that would guarantee the publishing of upcoming "Call of Duty" games on the PlayStation system. There were reports that the Xbox parent company has previously met with PlayStation bosses to discuss the offer.

Meanwhile, Smith's face time with the Democratic commissioner will reportedly be followed by a "closed-door meeting" of the panel, including Republican commissioner Christine Wilson, to discuss the Microsoft-Activision Blizzard merger. Sources of the same publication said the commissioners are unlikely to make a vote on Thursday, but that could happen later this month.

The Post also reported earlier this week that Microsoft appeared to have gained the support of half of the FTC panel. One Democrat commissioner -- rumored to be Slaughter -- is said to have "taken a symphatetic view" in favor of the merger. The report noted that Wilson has already hinted at favoring the acquisition.

Sony has been the biggest critic of the merger, worrying that Microsoft might cut PlayStation's access to the "Call of Duty" franchise once the acquisition is completed. But Microsoft has insisted on not planning to make the immensely popular first-person shooter games exclusive to Xbox or its subscription service Game Pass.

Back in June, Khan said in response to Democratic Sen. Elizabeth Warren that the FTC has launched an investigation into the merger, and it will be scrutinized for its potential effects on the workers of Activision Blizzard. Meanwhile, late last month, reports have it that the FTC was considering filing a lawsuit to challenge the multi-billion proposal. But that could change after Microsoft offered the 10-year deal to Sony.

Photo by Kārlis Dambrāns from Flickr under Creative Commons (CC BY 2.0)