The War for Call of Duty Sees a New Twist After Microsoft Runs Massive Newspaper Ad to Please Regulators for Its Proposed Acquisition of Activision

The ongoing battle between the US FTC and Microsoft has taken a new turn. While previously the Xbox maker was against the approach of the federal commission due to its objection on its proposed acquisition of Call of Duty publisher Activision, the circumstances seem to have changed now completely.

Microsoft recently came up with a unique way of approaching the FTC to please it to get an approval for the ambitious deal with Activision Blizzard. And this time, the strategy used by the company also features the involvement of the famous newspaper and media outlet The Washington Post.

Microsoft publishes an AD in The Washington Post to please the FTC for approving its $68.7 billion deal with Call of Duty publisher

In its latest move to seal the record-setting deal, the Xbox maker recently ran an advertisement in The Washington Post, as reported by The Verge. The ad shows the tech giant’s acceptance of the unions. Most importantly, it is also signed by the Communications Workers of America (CWA). The latter represents workers in different industries, like media and communications. Have a look at it below:

Microsoft clearly wants everyone to know that it encourages unions and employees’ rights. “When both labor and management bring their voices to the bargaining table, employees, shareholders and customers alike benefit,” reads a section of the advertisement.

Interestingly, the tech giant also mentioned its plans to do the same for Call of Duty publisher, Activision as well if the merger is completed. “During 2023, we hope to bring the same agreement and principles to Activision Blizzard, which Microsoft has proposed to require.”

READ MORE: “Call of Duty Prints Money. That’s the Bottom Line” – Former Level Designer Believes Microsoft Acquiring Activision Won’t Be Bad for the Franchise

Without a doubt, this ad is a way to encourage regulators, especially the US FTC, to approve its $68.7 billion proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Another thing to note is that the ad comes a month after the federal commission took a strict action against Microsoft to block its merger with Activision.

In its original response to the US FTC, revealed in December 2022, the Xbox maker mentioned the agency was violating the US Constitution by trying to block its deal. However, since the beginning of this year, the company has changed its stance. The aforementioned Ad is possibly an apology by Microsoft to the FTC.

What are your thoughts on this entire situation? Will Microsoft succeed in 2023 to complete its acquisition of the Call of Duty publisher? Let us know your opinions in the comments down below.

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