Microsoft Judge Grills Regulator on User Harm in Gaming Deal (1)

The US Federal Trade Commission’s chances of holding up Microsoft Corp.’s $69 billion bid to buy Activision Blizzard Inc.appeared uncertain after a federal judge challenged the agency’s argument that the proposed transaction would hurt gamers.

US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco needled FTC lawyers Thursday over why they think Microsoft could hurt consumers by excluding Activision games from consoles sold by rivals, including Sony Group Corp.’s PlayStation.

“This case has really always been about Call of Duty,” Corley said at the conclusion of a five-day hearing, referring to Activision’s top-selling shooter game, ...