The antitrust agency’s four commissioners must vote to pursue a lawsuit challenging the deal, but staff have not accepted the two firms’ reasoning for the US$69-billion takeover, sources told Politico. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) may launch its case before the end of the year. (Politico)

Talking point: Microsoft’s bid for Activision, owner of such well-trodden IP as Crash Bandicoot and Call of Duty, would be the largest tech deal ever—if the two sides can close it. But that makes it a AAA target for antitrust regulators cracking down on what they see as giant digital firms’ market power-grabbing practices. The European Commission launched its investigation earlier this month, expressing concern that Microsoft could prevent other console-makers and player platforms from running Activision’s titles. Under chair Lina Khan, the FTC has taken a particular interest in tech giants, pursuing cases against Amazon and Meta. United States v. Microsoft Corp. was the original blockbuster tech antitrust case; the Redmond, Wash.-based firm’s effort to acquire Activision could prove a test case for the current digital economy.