It’s official: Microsoft has acquired Activision Blizzard, the company behind franchises like Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, and World of Warcraft, for a colossal $69 billion.
In the early hours of this morning, the Competition and Markets Authority in the United Kingdom granted its approval for Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, a monumental deal valued at $69 billion. This marked the final regulatory hurdle for Microsoft, as it had already received clearance from more than 40 countries and regions, including the United States earlier in the summer. The deadline for Microsoft to conclude this transaction was set for October 18, yet reports suggested that the company intended to bring it to a close today, October 13. As anticipated, this has now transpired, and Activision Blizzard has become an official part of the Xbox’s first-party studio family.
Xbox released the video below to celebrate its acquisition:
Phil Spencer: Head of Xbox
Phil Spencer, the head of Xbox and CEO of Microsoft Gaming, expressed his deep admiration for the contributions of Activision Blizzard and King in the world of gaming, entertainment, and pop culture. He reminisced about some of his most cherished gaming experiences, many of which were created by these two iconic companies. Spencer enthusiastically welcomed these legendary teams into the Xbox fold, stating, “It is truly incredible to have such esteemed teams join the Xbox family.”
In an Xbox Wire article, he emphasized the unified vision of learning, innovation, and the ongoing commitment to spreading the joy and sense of community that gaming offers to an even broader audience. Spencer highlighted their dedication to fostering a culture of empowerment, inclusivity, and accessibility. He made it clear that Xbox’s focus on inclusion is a deliberate and integral part of everything they do, from their team dynamics to the products they create, the stories they tell, and the way their players engage within the global gaming community.
Microsoft Gaming CEO and Xbox Head Phil Spencer
“Together, we’ll create new worlds and stories, bring your favorite games to more places so more players can join in, and we’ll engage with and delight players in new, innovative ways in the places they love to play including mobile, cloud streaming, and more.”
Spencer affirms that Xbox and Microsoft remain dedicated to actively listening to player feedback and fostering a community where developers can excel in their work. He emphasizes their commitment to expanding game accessibility, stating, “As promised, Xbox will continue to enhance game availability across various platforms.” This initiative begins with enabling cloud streaming providers and players to access Activision Blizzard games in the European Economic Area, in alignment with their commitment to the European Commission.
“For the millions of fans who love Activision, Blizzard, and King games, we want you to know that today is a good day to play. You are the heart and soul of these franchises, and we are honored to have you as part of our community. Whether you play on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC or mobile, you are welcome here – and will remain welcome, even if Xbox isn’t where you play your favorite franchise. Because when everyone plays, we all win. We believe our news today will unlock a world of possibilities for more ways to play. Thank you for the ongoing support. We have so much more to come in the months ahead – I’m excited for the future and cannot wait to share it with you.”
Below is the email Spencer sent to all Microsoft employees following the closure of this acquisition:
And below is the email Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick sent to all company employees following the closure of this purchase:
Ubisoft, which will be overseeing Activision Blizzard cloud game streaming in the U.K. as part of a deal Microsoft made with the CMA, released the following statement in regards to today’s news:
“We are thrilled to announce that Ubisoft has successfully secured the perpetual cloud streaming rights for Call of Duty and all forthcoming titles from Activision Blizzard over the next 15 years. Ubisoft has always been a staunch advocate of the potential of cloud gaming, and these streaming rights will empower us to provide a wider array of gaming experiences to players across diverse locations. With the deal now finalized, we can embark on the operational aspects of incorporating these games into Ubisoft+, our subscription offering.”
Image from Xbox
Reaching today’s news was a challenging journey for Microsoft. To catch up on the full sequence of events, start by reading about Microsoft’s initial announcement of its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Then, explore the story detailing how the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) initially blocked this acquisition due to cloud gaming concerns. Afterward, delve into the account of the FTC’s request for a preliminary injunction being denied by a California judge earlier this summer. Next, learn about Microsoft’s efforts to negotiate with the CMA to reach a mutually agreeable resolution. Also, take a look at Microsoft’s proposed deal with Ubisoft, and find out why the CMA granted preliminary approval for this arrangement. Finally, read about today’s pivotal development where the CMA officially approved Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, clearing the path for the deal to be finalized.
What Activision Blizzard games do you hope are added to Xbox Game Pass first? Let us know in the comments below!
