Microsoft Acquires Activision Blizzard for $69 Billion
Microsoft has officially acquired Activision Blizzard, the company responsible for popular franchises such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, and World of Warcraft. The acquisition, which amounts to a staggering $69 billion, has been approved by the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority, serving as the final hurdle for Microsoft after receiving approvals from over 40 countries and regions, including the U.S. earlier this summer.
Xbox Celebrates the Acquisition
Xbox has released a video to celebrate the acquisition:
Phil Spencer Welcomes Activision Blizzard
Phil Spencer, Xbox head and Microsoft Gaming CEO, expresses his admiration for the work done by Activision Blizzard and King, acknowledging their impact on gaming, entertainment, and pop culture. He states, “It is incredible to welcome such legendary teams to Xbox.” Spencer emphasizes the importance of collaboration, innovation, and delivering a joyful gaming experience for all players.
Expanding Gaming Opportunities
Spencer affirms Xbox and Microsoft’s commitment to inclusivity and community building in the gaming industry. He promises to listen to player feedback, empower developers, and make games available on various platforms. In particular, Xbox plans to enable cloud streaming providers to stream Activision Blizzard games in the European Economic Area. Additionally, beloved Activision, Blizzard, and King franchises will be added to Game Pass and other platforms in the near future.
Moving Forward Together
Spencer acknowledges the importance of players and emphasizes that all gaming communities, regardless of platform preference, are welcome in the Xbox ecosystem. He concludes with gratitude for ongoing support and excitement for what lies ahead.
Email to Microsoft Employees
Email to Activision Blizzard Employees
Ubisoft’s Statement
Image from Xbox
Ubisoft announces that it has obtained perpetual cloud streaming rights for Call of Duty and other Activision Blizzard titles over the next 15 years. They believe in the power of cloud gaming and aim to deliver more experiences to players through Ubisoft+.
In Conclusion
The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft marks a significant milestone. Microsoft has overcome various challenges, including regulatory approvals, to bring together these iconic gaming companies under the Xbox umbrella. The future holds exciting possibilities for gaming enthusiasts worldwide.
What Activision Blizzards games do you hope are added to Xbox Game Pass first? Let us know in the comments below!