The EU will require Microsoft to bring Activision games to its cloud competitors if the buyout is successful

(Image credit: Microsoft)

Microsoft will be required to bring Activision Blizzard's most popular games to competing cloud gaming platforms if the acquisition of the latter by the former is ultimately successful.

Today, the European Commission approved Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal, but only on the condition that Activision games remain available on cloud gaming platforms that directly compete with Xbox. Microsoft president Brad Smith revealed as much in a tweet shared Monday following the EU's ruling:

"The European Commission has required Microsoft to license popular Activision Blizzard games automatically to competing cloud gaming services," Smith said. "This will apply globally and will empower millions of consumers worldwide to play these games on any device they choose."

Microsoft has had to make a number of concessions to regulators to appease concerns that its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, one of the largest publishers in the industry, could be harmful to competition. One of Microsoft's most significant deals since initially announcing the intended purchase would put Call of Duty on Nintendo consoles for 10 years, while a separate commitment would ensure the prolific FPS franchise goes to Nvidia's GeForce Now streaming service.

For everything on the green horizon, check out our extensive guide to upcoming Xbox Series X games.

After earning an English degree from ASU, I worked as a corporate copy editor while freelancing for places like SFX Magazine, Screen Rant, Game Revolution, and MMORPG on the side. I got my big break here in 2019 with a freelance news gig, and I was hired on as GamesRadar's west coast Staff Writer in 2021. That means I'm responsible for managing the site's western regional executive branch, AKA my home office, and writing about whatever horror game I'm too afraid to finish.