The British competitors watchdog has blocked Microsoft's bid to purchase online game maker Activision Blizzard.

The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) stopped the $68.7bn (£55bn) deal attributable to considerations that it could stifle competitors within the cloud gaming market.

In its last report on Wednesday, the CMA stated that the transfer was "the only effective remedy" to competitors considerations.

It stated: "The deal would reinforce Microsoft's advantage in the market by giving it control over important gaming content such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft.

"The proof obtainable to the CMA signifies that, absent the merger, Activision would begin offering video games by way of cloud platforms within the foreseeable future.

"The cloud allows UK gamers to avoid buying expensive gaming consoles and PCs and gives them much more flexibility and choice as to how they play.

"Allowing Microsoft to take such a powerful place within the cloud gaming market simply because it begins to develop quickly would threat undermining the innovation that's essential to the event of those alternatives."

The all-cash deal was on observe to be the most important within the historical past of the tech trade but it surely additionally faces scrutiny from regulators within the US and Europe.

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Microsoft President Brad Smith stated: "We remain fully committed to this acquisition and will appeal."

He stated the CMA's resolution "rejects a pragmatic path to address competition concerns" and discourages tech innovation and funding within the UK.

"We're especially disappointed that after lengthy deliberations, this decision appears to reflect a flawed understanding of this market and the way the relevant cloud technology actually works," he added.

Activision stated it could "work aggressively with Microsoft to reverse this on appeal".

News of the CMA's resolution despatched shares in Activision Blizzard down 12%

Denting sentiment, Activision Blizzard fell greater than 10% in pre-market buying and selling whereas Microsoft was down 2.25%.

Content Source: information.sky.com