The deal to merge video game publisher and producer Activision with Microsoft has been approved by the Siberian state without any conditions.

According to a report published by the Reuters news website, Siberia joins Saudi Arabia and Brazil in approving the merger deal worth US$1.4 billion.

The approval comes at a time when the deal is under intense scrutiny from several international antitrust organizations. Most notably, the European and British Markets and Competition Authority, which has moved the deal into the second phase of the due diligence process.

The report also said Microsoft is likely to make concessions to EU regulators soon in a bid to help move the deal forward.

It is worth noting that Sony rejected an offer from Microsoft to allow the release of Call of Duty on PlayStation devices for a period of 10 years. Sony's refusal comes in an attempt to obtain the opportunity to release the game on its platforms unconditionally.

There are also reports that China may be among the parties that will reject the merger deal with Microsoft Activision. According to some sources, China's State Administration for Market Regulation (SAMR) has already rejected the application, according to some traders who cited two separate reports released on Friday.

There are also indications that the US Federal Competition Authority will take legal action against the completion of the deal, which could lead to Microsoft fighting a new legal battle in the United States to complete the deal.