Microsoft Has Bought Activision Blizzard For $70 Billion
In a move that is sure to cause huge waves in the video game industry, Microsoft has bought Activision Blizzard King for $70 Billion, the video game company currently at the centre of lawsuits and workers rights movements. When Phil Spencer said Xbox was evaluating its relationship with Activision, we didn't think he meant it was going to buy the company.
The games owned and made by Activision Blizzard, such as Overwatch and Call of Duty, among many more, may now become Xbox exclusives. This is the latest in Microsoft's long line of acquisitions, such as its 2020 purchase of Bethesda for $7.5 billion, just over ten percent what it's paying for Activision Blizzard. This acquisition will make Microsoft the world's third-largest gaming company, behind only Tencent and Sony.
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Unfortunately, according to a Microsoft press release, Activision Bilzzard CEO Bobby Kotick, the man who has become the face of the numerous allegations and lawsuits levelled against the company due to his reported knowledge of workplace mistreatment, will keep his position. This initially seemed like an opportunity for Microsoft to oust the man who threatened to have a woman killed. The press release states, "Once the deal closes, the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer," which is vague enough that it could imply Kotick will be gone once the ink dries.
Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard means even more games will soon be added to Game Pass, the subscription based service that already contains over 300. The press release states that there are plans to add Activision Blizzard's huge portfolio of titles to the service, which has just passed 25
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