Microsoft has announced that it will buy Activision Blizzard for USD 95.00 per share, or USD 68.7 billion in all-cash value, including Activision Blizzard’s net cash. Microsoft is now the world’s third-largest firm by revenue, trailing only Tencent and Sony. In addition, iconic franchises such as “Warcraft,” “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” “Call of Duty,” and “Candy Crush” will be added to Microsoft’s Game Pass portfolio as a result of the acquisition.
Bobby Kotick will remain CEO of Activision Blizzard, and the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, once the team closes. With mobile gaming accounting for 95% of all gamers worldwide, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard hope to allow users to enjoy the most immersive franchises like “Halo” and “Warcraft.”
“Today, gaming is the most dynamic and interesting area in entertainment across all platforms, and it will play a significant part in the development of metaverse platforms.” We’re putting a lot of money into world-class content, community, and cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that prioritizes players and creators and makes gaming safe, inclusive, and accessible to everyone.” — Microsoft Chairman and CEO Satya Nadella
Source: Microsoft