Mega gaming deal
Microsoft wants to buy Activision Blizzard
Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard for more than 60 billion euros.
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Microsoft wants to buy the video game company Activision Blizzard for 68.7 billion US dollars.
Microsoft acquires video game maker and developer Activision Blizzard. Both companies announced this on January 18th. The deal includes the acquisition of well-known series and brands such as “Call of Duty”, “Diablo”, “Warcraft”, “Overwatch” and “Candy Crush”. According to a press release, Microsoft will pay 68.7 billion US dollars, the equivalent of around 60.5 billion euros, for this.
Microsoft is not only expanding its video game division, but will also become the world’s third-largest gaming company in terms of revenue, behind Tencent and Sony. Activision Blizzard owns game studios around the world, employing around 10,000 people.
A “Culture of Proactive Inclusion”
In recent months, criticism of Activision Blizzard has increased. The US state of California had filed a lawsuit against the company in the summer of 2021. It said, among other things, that female employees were said to have been subjected to “constant sexual harassment” and discrimination.
Phil Spencer (54), the head of Microsoft Gaming, said in another statement on Tuesday that Microsoft is committed to promoting the inclusion of employees and players “in all areas of gaming”. We attach great importance to an individual culture in our studios. We firmly believe that creative success and independence are only possible if every single person is treated with dignity and respect. This applies to all teams as well as to managers. “We look forward to extending our culture of proactive inclusion to the amazing teams at Activision Blizzard.”