Tech giant Microsoft announced this Tuesday its plans to acquire the American video game publisher Activision Blizzard in a jaw-dropping deal worth $68.7 billion.
This acquisition, considered one of the biggest business agreements in tech history, will be key to boost Microsoft’s expansion to the gaming sector and across different channels, including PC, console, cloud, and mobile devices.
Looking for opportunities within the metaverse
With this partnership, Microsoft is also looking for stepping into the metaverse world.
The gaming studio will help the tech company in the development of future metaverse platforms.
Microsoft is also planning to release Activision Blizzard titles into its GamePass streaming service.
With that move, Activision will made its games available to an additional 25 million subscribers.
The deal includes the acquisition of King and other Activision-owned mobile game studios
The agreement includes franchises from Activision, Blizzard and King Studios, like “Overwatch”, “Warcraft”, “Diablo” or “Candy Crush”, as well as global eSport activities through Major League Gaming.
This historical transaction with the “Minecraft” and “Call of Duty” publisher will position Microsoft as the third-biggest gaming company by revenue, just behind Sony and Tencent.
Talking about the idea of merging with Activision, Microsoft Gaming’s CEO, Phil Spencer, said:
“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.”
Bobby Kotick, Activision Blizzard’s CEO, added: “For more than 30 years our incredibly talented teams have created some of the most successful games.
“The combination of Activision Blizzard’s world-class talent and extraordinary franchises with Microsoft’s technology, distribution, access to talent, ambitious vision and shared commitment to gaming and inclusion will help ensure our continued success in an increasingly competitive industry.”
