Microsoft boss Brad Smith plays Call of Duty with government over blocked deal

The tech giant’s president donned his ‘Call of Duty’ combat gear and fired a volley at Britain after its watchdogs said he couldn’t keep the company that makes the game, writes James Moore

Microsoft president Brad Smith has let rip at the Competition and Markets Authority (AP)

No messing about from Microsoft president Brad Smith, who selected Team Deathmatch mode from the Call of Duty Modern Warfare menu and took aim at the Competition and Markets Authority for blocking his takeover of gaming firm Activision Blizzard.

It’s also sayonara to his plans to buy Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater, Sekiro, Quake, Skylander, Guitar Hero, World of Warcraft and more. Activision Blizzard has quite the roster, which is why Microsoft was pumping £55bn into acquiring it until the UK regulator intervened.

Global deals with global implications inevitably give jurisdiction to local regulators, all of which have to be satisfied.