Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard in $68bn deal
New York, Jan 18 (EFE).- Microsoft will buy gaming giant Activision Blizzard in an all-cash transaction valued at $68.7 billion, the company said Tuesday
Activision is responsible for some of the biggest titles in gaming, including World of Warcraft, the Call of Duty franchise and lucrative time-killing favorite Candy Crush, all of which will be incorporated into Microsoft’s Game Pass.
The deal will give Microsoft a step-up in the gaming world, making it the third largest company in the sector behind Chinese company Tencent and console rival Sony.
It is the company’s largest acquisition following the $26-billion purchase of LinkedIn in 2016 and gives Microsoft access to Activision’s 400 million active monthly players.
“Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms,” Microsoft chairman and CEO Satya Nadella said in a statement.
“We’re investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive and accessible to all.”
Activision Blizzard’s CEO Bobby Kotick will remain in his job, according to the company statement, but will now report to CEO of Microsoft Gaming Phil Spencer.
“For more than 30 years our incredibly talented teams have created some of the most successful games,” said Bobby Kotick. “The combination of Activision Blizzard’s world-class talent and extraordinary franchises with Microsoft’s technology, distribution, access to talent, ambitious vision and shared commitment to gaming and inclusion will help ensure our continued success in an increasingly competitive industry.”
Activision Blizzard was caught in a storm of controversy last year leading to an investigations into allegations of a toxic workplace culture and misconduct, including sexual harassment. EFE
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