ICYMI: Microsoft Just Bought Activision Blizzard
In a deal reported as worth up to $70 billion dollars, Microsoft has begun the acquisition which they expect to be closed by the end of the fiscal year of 2023.
With this purchase, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.
As for what this means for existing franchises such as Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot and Spyro (the last two being well known as exclusives for Sony consoles in times past) and whether or not they’ll become exclusive is yet to be seen.
In a statement by Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO of Microsoft:
“Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms.
We’re investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive and accessible to all.”
Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard until the purchase is complete at which time that control will switch over to Phil Spencer, the current CEO of Microsoft Gaming.
In a statement by Kotick:
“For more than 30 years our incredibly talented teams have created some of the most successful games.
The combination of Activision Blizzard’s world-class talent and extraordinary franchises with Microsoft’s technology, distribution, access to talent, ambitious vision and shared commitment to gaming and inclusion will help ensure our continued success in an increasingly competitive industry.”
As with other purchases in the past, Microsoft have a portfolio with plans to launch Activision Blizzard games into Game Pass, which has reached a new milestone of over 25 million subscribers.
So, what are your thoughts on this acquisition? Do you think the future of esports will dictated by Call of Duty becoming an exclusive for Xbox? Let us know in the comments below.
