Microsoft acquire gaming giant Activision Blizzard for $70 Billion

January 18, 2022

5 Views 0

SaveSavedRemoved 0

[ad_1]

Last Updated: January 18, 2022

Microsoft is purchasing Activision Blizzard foraround $70 Billion USD, according to Bloomberg. It’s been no secret that Microsoft has been on an acquisition spree over the last few years in order to beef out their first-party output, purchasing the likes of Zenimax, who own the rights to IP such as Wolfenstein, Fallout, DOOM, and Elder Scrolls. But in a move that will rock the gaming landscape, they are now reportedly looking to purchase the giant Activision Blizzard. Of course, Activision Blizzard has been subject to significant investigation about reports of sexual harassment and a toxic working culture, so is Microsoft making a bet that they can stamp out the toxicity at Activision Blizzard. The deal value is reported to be $70 billion dollars.

This comes directly from a post by Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox. While there may still be significant concerns about Activision Blizzard’s working culture, Spencer commented “As a company, Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players.”

Change happens over time, and so will the transition of Activision Blizzard heading over to Microsoft Gaming. Bobby Kotick will continue as CEO, according to VGC and not be replaced by Phil Spencer. Microsoft hopes that the deal will help to accelerate their Cloud Gaming output, technology, and more. We’ve included an image of the Xbox Gaming leadership team, which does not include Kotick himself.

IPs acquired by Microsoft in the purchase of Activision Blizzard

Due to Activision Blizzard’s huge library of IPs, Microsoft will be taking ownership of them all, meaning a huge number of incredibly iconic gaming franchises will now be owned by the company. Here is a non-exhaustive list of the IPs that Microsoft Gaming now owns:

Call of Duty
Crash Bandicoot
Diablo
Guitar Hero
Overwatch
Spyro the Dragon
Starcraft
Tenchu
Tony Hawk’s
Warcraft
Zork
Call of Duty
Candy Crysh Saga
Farm Heroes Saga
Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles

Studios acquired in the Microsoft purchase of Activision Blizzard

Of course, this brings with it a huge list of studios that will also enter the Microsoft Gaming family, including the following stalwart games studios, each with their own talents and IPs to work on.