Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard
Join gaming leaders, alongside GamesBeat and Facebook Gaming, for their 2nd Annual GamesBeat & Facebook Gaming Summit | GamesBeat: Into the Metaverse 2 this upcoming January 25-27, 2022. Learn more about the event.
In an earth-shattering deal, Microsoft announced today that it has agreed to buy Activision Blizzard.
According to Bloomberg, that deal is valued at about $70 billion. In comparison, Microsoft spent $7.5 billion on Bethesda.
Activision Blizzard has been battling investigations into toxic workplace accusations during the past year. Selling could give current ownership, including CEO Bobby Kotick, something of a consolation. While leaders would still be subject to any consequences of those investigations, they can net a big payday by selling a company that is on a downward trend.
For Microsoft, this gives it access to some of the biggest gaming properties in history, including Call of Duty, which every year releases a best-selling shooter. Then there’s the Blizzard side, which is home to Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch. Activision also owns King, makers of the mobile megahit Candy Crush Saga.
The 2nd Annual GamesBeat and Facebook Gaming Summit and GamesBeat: Into the Metaverse 2
January 25 – 27, 2022
Microsoft could rehabilitate Activision Blizzard’s image by declaring these beloved — or once beloved — properties as being under new management.
According to Niko Partners senior analyst Daniel Ahmad, Microsoft will have to pay Activision Blizzard $3 billion if the deal falls through or is blocked.
Microsoft gaming CEO Phil Spencer states in the announcement of the deal, “Until this transaction closes, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Gaming will continue to operate independently. Once the deal is complete, the
Read more on venturebeat.com
