CONFIRMED: Xbox has acquired Activision Blizzard
Xbox parent Microsoft has confirmed it’s acquired Activision Blizzard in the games industry’s biggest-ever deal.
The acquisition – which Microsoft confirmed will cost $95.00 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $68.7 billion – means that Xbox now has exclusive ownership of Call of Duty, Warcraft, Overwatch, Crash Bandicoot, Guitar Hero and more.
Microsoft also adds studios such as Infinity Ward, King, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Toys for Bob and Treyarch to is first-party roster.
Once completed, it could mean that some of entertainment’s biggest properties remain exclusive to Xbox consoles and that future releases appear on its Game Pass subscription service on the day of their release.
After the deal’s completion, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.
Microsoft’s head of gaming Phil Spencer said in a statement:
“We are incredibly excited to have the chance to work with the amazing, talented, dedicated people across Activision Publishing, Blizzard Entertainment, Beenox, Demonware, Digital Legends, High Moon Studios, Infinity Ward, King, Major League Gaming, Radical Entertainment, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Toys for Bob, Treyarch and every team across Activision Blizzard.
“Until this transaction closes, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Gaming will continue to operate independently. Once the deal is complete, the Activision Blizzard business will report to me as CEO, Microsoft Gaming.”
More to follow…
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