Microsoft and ZeniMax deal approved by US Securities and Exchange Commission

The US Securities and Exchange Commission has just accepted Microsoft’s filing for its deal with ZeniMax. The European Commission is the only instance left to approve the acquisition.

On March 5, the US Securities and Exchange Commission issued a notice of effectiveness, meaning that Microsoft’s filing to acquire ZeniMax has been accepted by the regulator after a review process.

Microsoft has planned to complete the acquisition by June. However, now it can happen earlier. The European Commission, which also has to review the deal, is expected to issue its decision later this day.

Microsoft first announced its plans to buy ZeniMax, a parent company of Bethesda Softworks, id Software, Arkane, and other studios, last September. In February, the company also created subsidiary Vault to receive the EU approval.