In the 1990s, Microsoft was seen as a tech industry bully. Once viewed as combative and ruthless in the eyes of regulators, the company underwent an image makeover in the decades since. Now, the FT’s Richard Waters explains how Microsoft’s transformation pushed their $75bn acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard over the line earlier this month.

Clips from Activision Blizzard

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For further reading:

How Brad Smith used Microsoft’s $1bn law and lobbying machine to win Activision battle

The newfound influence of the UK’s competition watchdog

US v Microsoft: who really won?

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On X, follow Richard Waters (@RichardWaters) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.

Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com

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How Microsoft bagged Activision Blizzard

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