Microsoft inks licensing deal with cloud gaming provider Boosteroid: Microsoft has reached an agreement to make Xbox PC video games available on the Boosteroid cloud gaming platform, the company’s latest move to appease antitrust regulators who are investigating its acquisition of game maker Activision Blizzard.
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More About The Microsoft’s deal with Boosteroid:
The US tech giant said the 10-year agreement would also include Activision Blizzard titles like the popular Call of Duty franchise if or when the acquisition gets approved.
Significance of this deal:
Microsoft intends to increase its firepower in the booming videogames market against leaders Tencent and Sony, as well as lay the groundwork for its investment in the metaverse.
Also, Microsoft has been announcing new partnerships as it tries to persuade regulators in the U.S. and Europe to allow the $69 billion all-cash transaction to go through.
Microsoft and Boosteroid:
Ukraine-based Boosteroid’s access to Call of Duty is conditional on regulatory approval for the Activision deal. The agreement will also bring Microsoft’s Xbox PC games to Boosteroid’s cloud gaming platform.
Microsoft’s Push towards bigger deal:
Microsoft has similar licencing agreements with Nvidia, Nintendo, and Valve Corp, the owner of the world’s largest video game distribution platform, Steam, in the United States. EU antitrust regulators are expected to approve Microsoft’s takeover of Activision conditional on such licensing deals. The UK watchdog however could be more difficult to convince.
In addition to Ukraine, Boosteroid also has gamers in the United States, the United Kingdom and EU countries.
