In the 1990s, Microsoft was seen as a tech industry bully. Once viewed as combative and ruthless in the eyes of regulators, the company underwent an image makeover in the decades since. Now, the FT’s Richard Waters explains how Microsoft’s transformation pushed their $75bn acquisition of video game publisher Activision Blizzard over the line earlier this month.  Clips from Activision Blizzard - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  For further reading: How Brad Smith used Microsoft’s $1bn law and lobbying machine to win Activision battle The newfound influence of the UK’s competition watchdog US v Microsoft: who really won?  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  On X, follow Richard Waters (@RichardWaters) and Michela Tindera (@mtindera07), or follow Michela on LinkedIn for updates about the show and more.  Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

This week, we have a bonus episode for you, live from the FT Due Diligence Forum in London. FT chief features writer Henry Mance sits down with author Michael Lewis to discuss his new book, Going Infinite: The Rise and Fall of a New Tycoon, an all-access account of Sam Bankman-Fried before his crypto exchange FTX collapsed. This conversation was recorded on October 11 2023.  - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - - -  For further reading: What Michael Lewis got wrong about FTX Michael Lewis on how Sam Bankman-Fried and FTX fell — book review How to beat Sam Bankman-Fried at trading when you’ve already lost The SBF trial is a reminder that crypto is a rotten business Many people longed to believe in Sam Bankman-Fried Read a transcript of this episode on FT.com Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.