An anticompetitive investigation has been formally opened in the EU.

Since they announced their intent to purchase video game publisher and developer Activision Blizzard, tech giant Microsoft has come under intense scrutiny by the world’s watchdog organizations. As Activision Blizzard is the owner of Call of Duty, one of the most popular and profitable game franchises out there, concerns have been raised that Microsoft’s sole ownership would result in anticompetitive practices.

The European Commission has opened an in-depth investigation into Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. https://t.co/NjR3RY5799

— IGN (@IGN) November 9, 2022

This week, the European Commission, business watchdog for the European Union, announced that they would be launching a formal investigation into the deal. This investigation has until March 23, 2023, to conduct and conclude.

“The Commission is concerned that, by acquiring Activision Blizzard, Microsoft may foreclose access to Activision Blizzard’s console and PC video games, especially to high-profile and highly successful games (so-called ‘AAA’ games) such as ‘Call of Duty’,” they said in a statement.

The European Commission has officially launched an in-depth probe of Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard, citing competition concerns. It will make a decision by March 23, 2023.https://t.co/veNX84FqNW pic.twitter.com/cTuHah6FZI

— VGC (@VGC_News) November 8, 2022

Microsoft has repeatedly assured that they would not deliberately deny access to the Call of Duty series and other games for other major manufacturers like Sony. Nevertheless, Microsoft has promised to cooperate fully with the European Commission’s investigation.

“Sony, as the industry leader, says it is worried about Call of Duty, but we’ve said we are committed to making the same game available on the same day on both Xbox and PlayStation,” an Xbox spokesperson told The Verge writer Tom Warren in a statement.