Activision | Microsoft Set To Acquire Activision Blizzard For $68.7B
Activision | Microsoft Set To Acquire Activision Blizzard For $68.7B
0
0
Activision Blizzard is well known in the gaming industry for making the Call of Duty games with the latest bring Call of Duty Vanguard. The company is set to be bought by Microsoft, which also produces the Xbox.
Microsoft says it is set to buy games behemoth Activision Blizzard. According to a press release, the move allows Microsoft, the maker of Xbox, to take up space in the mobile gaming space as well as the oncoming metaverse.
Both Xbox and Activision accounts on Twitter also confirmed the acquisition.
Activision Blizzard is behind such storied franchises as Call of Duty, StarCraft, Candy Crush, and more. That varied roster allows the company to reach a broad audience — from dabblers to esports enthusiasts.
But the company has a fair share of baggage. In November, the Wall Street Journal reported that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick knew about years of sexual misconduct claims — from alleged rapes to harassment — and didn’t notify the company’s board.
The company is currently being sued by California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing for its failure to pay women equally as well as its “frat boy workplace culture.” In September, the company settled an $18 million lawsuit with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission over allegations of harassment and discrimination against female employees.
Activision Blizzard employees grew so frustrated at Kotick’s handling of these situations over the years that they’ve repeatedly pressed Kotick to step down from his position.
According to the press release, Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard. But, “once the deal closes, the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, CEO, Microsoft Gaming.”
Microsoft clarified with IGN that Kotick will continue to lead Activision Blizzard as CEO, but will report to Spencer after the close.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella seemed to allude to Activision Blizzard’s reputation in an investor call Tuesday where he stressed the importance of fostering a safe and equitable workplace culture. “After the close, we will have significant work to do in order to continue to build a culture where everyone can do their best work,” Nadella said.
The deal is valued at $68.7 billion, and is subject to regulatory approvals. This is just the latest in gaming acquisition news. Last week, Take-Two interactive (the company behind the Grand Theft Auto franchise) announced it would buy Zynga for $11.04 billion.
Do you want to send us your videos or pictures or even scoops? Contact us via email contact@stessnews.online
About The Author
