The EU will decide on the $ 7.5 billion Microsoft ZeniMax deal by March 5th

BRUSSELS (Reuters) – EU antitrust regulators will decide by March 5 whether to cancel Microsoft’s $ 7.5 billion acquisition of ZeniMax Media, the US technology giant’s largest gaming acquisition to compete better with the Sony Corp. PlayStation

Microsoft requested approval from the European Commission for the agreement on January 29, a registration on the EU executive’s website said.

The EU Competition Enforcement Authority may delete the agreement with or without concessions during the preliminary review or may open a large-scale investigation if it has serious problems.

ZeniMax, the parent company of Bethesda Softworks, has developed hits, including Fallout and Doom. The gaming industry has grown, driven by demand from home users during the COVID-19 pandemic.