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The
European Commission is readying a charge sheet known as a
statement of objections setting out its concerns about the deal
which will be sent to Microsoft in the coming weeks, the people
said.
The EU antitrust watchdog, which has set an April 11 deadline
for its decision on the deal, declined to comment.
Microsoft said: "We're continuing to work with the European
Commission to address any marketplace concerns. Our goal is to
bring more games to more people, and this deal will further that
goal."
The U.S. software giant and Xbox maker announced the acquisition
in January last year to help it compete better with leaders
Tencent and Sony.
U.S. and UK regulators, however, have voiced concerns, with the
U.S. Federal Trade Commission going to court to block the deal.
Microsoft was expected to offer remedies to EU regulators in an
attempt to avert a statement of charge and shorten the
regulatory process, other sources familiar with the matter told
Reuters in November.
The EU competition enforcer, however, is not expected to be open
to remedies without first sending out its charge sheet, although
there are ongoing informal discussions on concessions, the
people said.
Microsoft last month reached a 10-year deal with Nintendo to
make "Call of Duty" available on Nintendo consoles, saying it
was open to a similar agreement with Sony, which is critical of
the acquisition.
The deal has received the green light without conditions in
Brazil, Saudi Arabia and Serbia.
(Reporting by Foo Yun Chee; Editing by Mark Potter)
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