A federal judge helped pave the way for Microsoft (MSFT) to complete its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard (ATVI).

Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in San Francisco denied a motion by the 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:Federal Trade Commission (FTC) seeking an injunction to block the deal over 澳洲幸运5官方开奖结果体彩网:antitrust concerns. Judge Corley wrote the evidence suggests the combination would create more consumer access to the popular Call of Duty games and other Activision content.

However, the ruling doesn’t mean the pu🅺rchase can move forward yet. The FTC can take the case to the Ninth U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals, and Microsoft is negotiating with British regulators to get approval there. The FTC indicated it would be announcing its next steps in the coming days. 

Both companies hailed the decision.

“We’re optimistic that today’s ruling signals a path to full regulatory approval,” Activision CEO Bobby Kotick said in a memo to employees.

Activision Blizzard shares surged more than 9% to their highest level in two years following the news, while shares of Microsoft rose 0.2%.