Google and Nvidia express "concern" to FTC over Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition

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Whether the FTC listens to these comments is another matter entirely

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2
(Image credit: Activision Blizzard)

Google and Nvidia have reportedly "expressed concerns" to the U.S. government over Microsoft's potential acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

As reported by Bloomberg yesterday on January 12, both Google and Nvidia have reportedly been in touch with the Financial Trade Commission over the acquisition. Both companies have told the FTC that Microsoft would gain an unfair advantage in mobile, subscription, and cloud-based gaming, should the acquisition go ahead.

However, while Google has seemingly made comments to outright oppose the acquisition, Nvidia has stopped short of that. Instead, the latter company has merely used the opportunity to stress the unfair advantage Microsoft would have in acquiring Activision Blizzard, leaving it up to the FTC to do whatever they will with the testimony. 

Earlier this week, the FTC released its schedule for hearings into the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Crucially, hearings aren't set to take place until early August 2023, meaning Microsoft and Activision Blizzard's original goal of closing the acquisition by June 2023 (the end of Microsoft's fiscal year) is effectively going to be missed as a result.

When the hearings into the deal begin on August 2, it'll be interesting to see if either Nvidia or Google resurface to give further testimony to the FTC. Both obviously have a keen interest in the acquisition of Activision Blizzard failing, but whether they're willing to head to court to argue that in front of the U.S. government, Microsoft, and Activision Blizzard is another matter entirely. 

For now, you can head over to our new games 2023 guide for a look into all the upcoming games for the year ahead. 

Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.