FTC Files Complaint Against Microsoft , After Activision Layoffs.br FTC Files Complaint Against Microsoft , After Activision Layoffs.br On Jan. 30, Microsoft's gaming division laid off br 1900 people, including at Activision Blizzard. .br Now, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) br has accused Microsoft of not upholding its promise br to let Activision operate independently after being br acquired for $69 billion, Engadget reports. .br Now, the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) br has accused Microsoft of not upholding its promise br to let Activision operate independently after being br acquired for $69 billion, Engadget reports. .br Microsoft’s recently-reported plan to br eliminate 1,900 jobs in its video game br division, including in its newly-acquired br Activision unit, contradicts the foregoing br representations it made to this Court, FTC, via complaint.br Specifically, Microsoft reportedly has stated br that the layoffs were part of an 'execution br plan' that would reduce 'areas of overlap' br between Microsoft and Activision, , FTC, via complaint.br ... which is inconsistent with br Microsoft’s suggestion to this Court br that the two companies will operate br independently post-merger, FTC, via complaint.br Microsoft previously suggested that layoffs br wouldn't need to be made if its "vertical acquisition" br of Activision was approved because there would br be no job redundancies, Engadget reports. .br Microsoft previously suggested that layoffs br wouldn't need to be made if its "vertical acquisition" br of Activision was approved because there would br be no job redundancies, Engadget reports. .br The FTC has asked for a temporary acquisition br pause so that it can further investigate. .br The agency has continually challenged the acquisition since it was approved by the U.K.'s Competition and Markets Authority last year.br If the FTC continues to push its antitrust concerns, it's possible that Microsoft could be forced to br divest Activision Blizzard, Engadget reports. .br 6,000 video game workers have already br been laid off across the industry this year.br Last year, about 10,500 were laid off.