Pros and Cons of Microsoft's Acquisition of Activision-Blizzard
As evidenced by today's news, it couldn't be more abundantly clear that Microsoft continues to make huge plays for Xbox's future in the gaming industry. Whether it's been the expansion of Xbox Game Pass in the last couple of years, or the advent of backwards compatibility, among many other efforts, Microsoft's been working to reverse the perceived disadvantage it's been at in comparison to PlayStation. Today, Microsoft announced the $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, one of the largest video game publishers in the gaming industry. Topping all previous corporate acquisitions in games previously, several of gaming's biggest IPs are now owned by Microsoft.
To say this massive deal was unexpected is an understatement, especially given the state of Activision Blizzard currently. Rife with controversy due to workplace harassment, toxicity, an ongoing lawsuit by the State of California, as well as the complicity and complacency of Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, the outlook of the Call of Duty and World of Warcraft publisher has been bleak. Granted plans for this acquisition were likely first laid before the lawsuits or allegations took place, but they provide an important context to this acquisition. There are certainly positives to Microsoft's acquisition, but it's hard not to ignore the glaring issues that may rise.
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One of the most immediate concerns that stems from this announcement is the fact that Xbox continues to grow at a monopolistic rate; a criticism Microsoft as a tech company has often wrestled with previously. That's not to say Xbox has a "monopoly" over gaming quite yet, though it's not unreasonable for
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