UK Warns Call of Duty May Be Sold to Get Microsoft Deal Nod (4)

Microsoft Corp.’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc. will harm competition in the UK gaming market, Britain’s antitrust watchdog provisionally warned, saying it could force the selloff of the blockbuster Call of Duty franchise.

The Competition and Markets Authority said it took an initial view that the deal could result in a substantial lessening in competition, higher prices, fewer choices or less innovation for UK gamers, according to a statement published Wednesday.

The provisional view throws into question the viability of the deal that’s already under attack from the US regulator over fears Microsoft could make it harder ...