Today Microsoft revealed they’re acquiring Activision-Blizzard, the publisher behind popular gaming IP such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch and Candy Crush. This deal is valued at 69 billion dollars.
Activision-Blizzard’s CEO Bobby Kotick will remain at the company for now, as he’ll report to Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft gaming. Kotick and Activision-Blizzard have been under scrutiny recently, due to a meriad of reports and cases against the company for sexual harrassment, an unhealthy workplace for women and minorities and an overall toxic culture at the company.
Satya Nadella, CEO of Microsoft, has the following comment:
“Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms, We’re investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive and accessible to all.”
Phil Spencer, CEO Microsoft Gaming: “Players everywhere love Activision Blizzard games, and we believe the creative teams have their best work in front of them. Together we will build a future where people can play the games they want, virtually anywhere they want.”
