Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion

Microsoft has announced the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Creators of the Call of Duty, Overwatch, World of Warcraft and other franchises.

The deal is valued at $68.7 billion, a significant increase from the $7.5 billion Microsoft spent to acquire Bethesda back in 2020. The deal is the largest in the history of the gaming industry.

“As a team, we strive to bring the joy of gaming to everyone on the planet. We all know that games are the most vibrant and dynamic form of entertainment in the world. We experience the power of social connections and friendships that make game creation possible. As we pursue this mission, it is incredibly gratifying to announce that Microsoft has agreed to acquire Activision Blizzard,” Phil Spencer said in a blog post.

Spencer says Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Gaming will work together before the deal closes, which is expected to happen in 2023. When that happens, Microsoft will become the third largest gaming company in the world by revenue, after Tencent and Sony. Activision Blizzard will report to Spencer as CEO of Microsoft Gaming after the acquisition closes.

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, who has been at the center of the company's ongoing scandals, including calls for his resignation, will remain in his position.

After the deal is closed, most of the games from the Activision Blizzard catalog will be added to the Game Pass library, which has already been confirmed by Microsoft.

A source: Xbox