For those who came in late, the CMA officially blocked the deal in late April, so this is good news for Microsoft and it means that the acquisition can finally go ahead. 

The regulator is not entirely happy with the deal. In a press release it says it has 'limited residual concerns' on the enforceability of the sale. However, Microsoft already offered that the terms of the sale be enforceable by the CMA, and the regulator provisionally concluded this should suffice.

There will now be a brief final consultation period until 6 October and then the UK regulator is expected to approve the deal.

Microsoft president Brad Smith was all too happy about the news in this comment posted on X:

"We are encouraged by this positive development in the CMA’s review process. We presented solutions that we believe fully address the CMA’s remaining concerns related to cloud game streaming, and we will continue to work toward earning approval to close prior to the 18 October deadline," he said.