Microsoft has completed its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard a game-changing transaction that has transformed the gaming industry. This historic merger is the largest transaction in both the gaming industry and Microsoft's history confirming the computer titan's control over major console and PC properties such as Call of Duty, Warcraft, and Diablo. Furthermore, the addition of Candy Crush creator King has propelled Microsoft into the lucrative field of mobile gaming.
Notably, this collaboration does not stop at acquiring popular titles; it also includes the addition of several renowned game developers to the Xbox Game Studios family. Infinity Ward, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Treyarch, Toys for Bob, Beenox, and High Moon Studios are among the newcomers.
Phil Spencer, Microsoft's Head of Gaming, highlighted the collaborative nature of the project, saying,
"As one team, we'll learn, innovate, and continue to deliver on our promise to bring the joy and community of gaming to more people. We'll do this in a culture that strives to empower everyone to do their best work, where all people are welcome, and is centered on our ongoing commitment to Gaming for Everyone."
Xbox is committed to growing inclusion in all aspects of the organisation, from its staff to the products it creates and the stories it tells. Spencer imagines a future in which new worlds and tales are produced, favourite games are made more accessible to a wider audience, and players are engaged and happy in new ways across several platforms, including mobile and cloud streaming.
He underlined that gamers will continue to be at the centre of their purpose committing to continue listening to input and establishing a gaming community in which everyone can be themselves. Furthermore, Microsoft is prepared to make more titles available across several platforms and is actively working to bring popular Activision, Blizzard, and King properties to Game Pass and other systems.
Spencer also revealed that cloud streaming providers and European Economic Area users will soon be allowed to stream Activision Blizzard titles, meeting the commitment made to the European Commission.
This acquisition is exciting news for gamers since it paves the door for favourite titles to be integrated into Game Pass and other platforms, but exact timetables have yet to be revealed.
Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard's long-serving CEO, will remain in his position until the end of 2023, reporting to Phil Spencer and assisting with the transition.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella congratulated the company on the historic event, saying,
"Today is a great day for gamers everywhere. Together with Activision Blizzard, we will deliver on our vision to help people connect and play great games wherever, whenever, and however they want."
The road to this transaction had been prepared with regulatory obstacles and negotiations. Microsoft has under attention from worldwide competition regulators since announcing its intention to acquire Activision Blizzard in January 2022. Concerns included the possibility that the merger would result in the exclusivity of titles such as Call of Duty on Xbox and PC. However, a new arrangement between Microsoft and Sony ensures that Call of Duty will be available on PlayStation for the next decade.
Concerns were also raised about Microsoft acquiring an unfair advantage in the cloud gaming sector. To ease these worries, Microsoft went into long-term game distribution deals with cloud gaming companies ultimately gaining approval from the European Commission.
The approval was obtained by the United Kingdom's Competition and Markets Authority only after Microsoft agreed to release Ubisoft cloud gaming rights outside the European Economic Area for all Activision Blizzard titles released over the next 15 years.
While Microsoft won its legal have trouble against the US Federal Trade Commission, which tried to stop the acquisition due to antitrust concerns, the regulatory issues remain. Nonetheless, this acquisition represents a significant milestone, changing the gaming scene and laying the groundwork for exciting advances in the gaming sector.
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