Microsoft Corp. plans to buy Activision Blizzard Inc. for $68.7 billion, purchasing the game publisher responsible for franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft that has been plagued by claims of sexual misconduct and discrimination.
In its largest purchase ever, Microsoft will pay $95 a share in cash to add Activision’s popular titles and expand its own offerings for the Xbox console while pushing it into the markets for mobile gaming and the metaverse. The deal would make Microsoft the world’s No. 3 gaming company.
At Activision, CEO Bobby Kotick, 58, will continue to serve in his role until the deal closes, a person familiar with the deal said. Then the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, who, as part of the deal was promoted to CEO of Microsoft Gaming.
So far, little is known for how this deal might impact how people can access Activision’s title’s long-term, particularly for people who use other consoles. Here’s how people in the gaming world are reacting.
Many were surprised by the announcement.
Waking up to find out Activision-Blizzard got bought by Mircosoft wasn’t what I expected, wow. Apparently Bobby Kotick might be leaving after the acquisition too I REALLY hope this is a good thing.
— Zack (@Asmongold), January 18, 2022
Some speculated what the combination could spur Sony and other game-publishers and console-makers to do and what the future was for libraries like Microsoft’s Xbox Game Pass.
If this goes through, what does PlayStation’s E3/Summer State of Play 2023 look like? Can Sony really make equal acquisitions when Microsoft’s means a back catalogue on game pass? How crucial is a ‘game pass’ equivalent now & what does it need to offer to really compete?
—Peter Harris (@PeteyHarris), January 18, 2022
Others worried that the deal would limit their access to titles and franchises.
Rough morning for Playstation owners…
—Oxygen Esports (@OXG_Esports), January 18, 2022
Many asked what the deal means for Call of Duty, an Activision game that’s currently available on Sony’s PlayStation.
What does this mean for Call of Duty on Playstation?
—Kgothatso Madisa (@kgmadisa), January 18, 2022. Bloomberg