Microsoft’s Tweaks to $69 Billion Activision Deal Avoid EU Probe

Microsoft Corp.’s rehashed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc.is set to avoid another European Union probe, paving the way for closing of the gaming industry’s biggest ever deal as soon as Britain’s antitrust regulator gives its expected approval in the coming days.

The European Commission has concluded that changes aimed at winning over the UK Competition and Markets Authority don’t need to go through yet another approvals process in Brussels, according to people familiar with the matter who spoke on condition of anonymity. Such a step would have added even more delays to an on-off acquisition ...