activision blizzard inc.

Microsoft challenged the Federal Trade Commission's attempt to block the software giant's acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. for $68.7 billion.

The Federal Trade Commission is seeking to block Microsoft from acquiring leading video game developer Activision.

The deal is expected to close in fiscal year 2023, subject to customary closing conditions and the completion of a regulatory review.

Nearly 1,100 of Activision Blizzard's U.S.-based temporary and contingent quality assurance (QA) workers who test the company's video games will be given full-time status starting July 1.

A group of prominent Senators wrote a letter to the Federal Trade Commission on Thursday urging them to review Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision, citing lawsuits and media reports about workplace misconduct at the video game giant.

According to a 13F filing, Berkshire Hathaway bought approximately 14.66 million Activision Blizzard shares valued at around $975 million as of the end of 2021.

Microsoft Corp.’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. will be reviewed in the U.S. by the Federal Trade Commission, placing the fate of the roughly $75 billion deal in the hands of an agency whose leader has questioned acquisitions by powerful technology companies.

Kotick, who has been under pressure amid allegations of running a workplace fraught with misconduct, is Activision Blizzard's largest single shareholder.

Activision Blizzard chief administrative officer Brian Bulatao argued that "active, transparent dialogue between leaders and employees" would be a "better path" to achieving the company's workplace culture aspirations than waiting for the outcome of a future bargaining process.

The latest effort to eliminate harassment and discrimination follows allegations that CEO Bobby Kotick knew about sexual misconduct allegations for years and did not inform the company's board.