Microsoft Completes its Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

After the UK’s Competitors and Markets Authority (CMA) accepted Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard earlier at the moment, the software program large has gone ahead and accomplished the $68 billion deal. With Activision Blizzard now a part of Microsoft, the corporate now owns among the hottest gaming franchises in the marketplace together with Name of Obligation, Diablo, in addition to cell video games like Sweet Crush.

“At this time, we formally welcome Activision Blizzard and their groups to Xbox,” mentioned Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming. “They’re the publishers of among the most performed and most beloved franchises in gaming historical past throughout console, PC and cell. From Pitfall to Name of Obligation, World of Warcraft to Overwatch, Sweet Crush Saga to Farm Heroes Tremendous Saga, their studios have pushed the boundaries of gaming for gamers all over the world.”

Two years in the past, Microsoft already made an enormous acquisition with Bethesda/Zenimax Media, the house of blockbuster franchises corresponding to Fallout, Doom, and The Elder Scrolls. Nevertheless, at the moment’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is on a complete different stage. The dimensions of this deal is so unprecedented that Microsoft confronted important roadblocks within the US and the UK, and Microsoft needed to comply with promote cloud licensing rights for Activision Blizzard video games to Ubisoft to get the deal accepted by the UK’s CMA.

At this time, Phil Spencer mentioned that Microsoft is dedicated to serving to the “legendary groups” at Activision Blizzard to “do their finest work.”  In a separate announcement, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick mentioned that he’ll stay CEO of the corporate all through 2023 to assist with the transition. Kotick will report on to Spencer, who additionally mentioned that Microsoft will begin engaged on making Activision Blizzard video games obtainable for extra players.

“As promised, we may even proceed to make extra video games obtainable in additional locations – and that begins now by enabling cloud streaming suppliers and gamers to stream Activision Blizzard video games within the European Financial Space, a dedication made to the European Fee. At this time we begin the work to deliver beloved Activision, Blizzard, and King franchises to Sport Move and different platforms. We’ll share extra about when you’ll be able to anticipate to play within the coming months,” Spencer mentioned.

Activision Blizzard mentioned earlier this week that we shouldn’t anticipate to see Diablo IV or the upcoming Name of Obligation: Trendy Warfare 3 land on Sport Move anytime quickly, however ultimately, all new Activision Blizzard video games ought to grow to be obtainable on Sport Move on day one. This might positively make Sport Move an excellent higher deal for players, although this blockbuster acquisition isn’t nearly rising the variety of Sport Move subscribers. Microsoft is planning to launch cell sport shops on iOS and Android subsequent yr, and the corporate is relying on Name of Obligation Cellular, Sweet Crush, and different cell video games from Activision Blizzard to spearhead that effort.