Microsoft Buys Activision Blizzard In Deal Valued At Nearly $70 Billion, Bobby Kotick Staying On As CEO
Following reports, Microsoft has now officially announced it has acquired Activision Blizzard in a deal said to be valued at nearly $70 billion.
«Over many decades, the studios and teams that make up Activision Blizzard have earned vast wellsprings of joy and respect from billions of people all over the world,» Xbox boss Phil Spencer said. «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 the deal closes, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard will operate independently, Microsoft said. If and when it does, the Activision Blizzard team will report to Spencer as the CEO of Microsoft Gaming.
Spencer said Microsoft will add «as many Activision Blizzard games as we can» to Xbox Game Pass for PC and console, including new games and catalog titles.
Spencer went on to say that buying Activision Blizzard will help «accelerate our plans» for cloud gaming. «Activision Blizzard games are enjoyed on a variety of platforms and we plan to continue to support those communities moving forward,» he said.
Activision Blizzard has made headlines of late regarding its many controversies and lawsuits involving its corporate culture and leadership under CEO Bobby Kotick. Spencer said Microsoft is «committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players.»
He added: «We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with
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