Microsoft settles antitrust lawsuit over Activision Snowstorm acquisition

An antitrust lawsuit against Microsoft over its acquisition of Activision Snowstorm has been settled.

As The Hollywood Reporter reported, both sides notified the court on Monday that the case was to be dismissed “with prejudice,” meaning it will no longer be filed.

Warranty terms were not disclosed. The legal professionals do in a court file alleging that “each party will bear its own costs and fees.”

The client’s own lawsuit was initially filed in December 2022 over antitrust issues. The case was dismissed in March 2023 after a federal ruling in San Francisco ruled the complaint “[lacked] allegations,” however, gave the plaintiffs 20 days to refile the case.

It was resubmitted in April 2023 with additional data, including internal documents and redacted categories regarding the ten-year promises Microsoft made to Sony and Nintendo.

Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Snowstorm was first announced in January 2022, but was delayed due to regulatory issues announced in the future in the UK, EU, and US. The deal was finally approved in October of 2023.

Since the acquisition, the company has seen notable aggregate layoffs in its gaming segment. The Federal Industry Commission said Microsoft contradicted its merger intentions when it laid off 1,900 workers earlier this year.

In reaction, Microsoft said Activision Snowstorm had planned to make cuts without mentioning that the offer was finalized.