Microsoft Completes Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
After a long legal battle, Microsoft has successfully acquired game publisher Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. This acquisition adds popular gaming franchises like Call of Duty, Warcraft, Candy Crush Saga, and Overwatch to Microsoft’s portfolio, joining existing IPs such as Minecraft and The Elder Scrolls. With the addition of Activision studios like Blizzard, Infinity Ward, and King, Microsoft now owns over 23 game studios.
Xbox boss Phil Spencer expressed gratitude to the millions of fans in a tweet celebrating the acquisition. However, what happens next? Let’s explore some of the key questions:
What happens to Activision Blizzard?
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will continue in his role but now report directly to Xbox boss Phil Spencer. Kotick has been asked to stay until the end of 2023.
Microsoft has no plans to fold the brands into Xbox entirely and will likely continue using them as long as they remain valuable.
Will Activision Blizzard games be exclusive to Xbox and PC?
Microsoft made separate deals with Sony PlayStation and Nintendo to keep Activision’s Call of Duty franchise available on their consoles for at least 10 years. Similar to their approach with Bethesda titles, future Activision Blizzard games may be released as Xbox exclusives.
It remains unclear whether other major gaming franchises under Activision Blizzard will follow this approach or be available on Sony and Nintendo consoles in the future.
When will Activision Blizzard games come to Xbox Game Pass?
Xbox is actively working on bringing Activision, Blizzard, and King games to its Game Pass subscription service and other platforms. The rollout is expected in 2024.
Xbox Game Pass offers over 100 games for a monthly fee, and players can anticipate the gradual addition of Activision Blizzard games to the service in the coming year.
What about cloud streaming games?
Ubisoft has obtained perpetual cloud streaming rights for all Activision Blizzard games, including Call of Duty. This means that Ubisoft’s game subscription service, Ubisoft+, will include current Activision Blizzard games. Ubisoft can also license streaming access to other cloud gaming companies.
The deal with Ubisoft was part of Microsoft’s strategy to address regulatory concerns surrounding the acquisition.
Even after the deal ends, Ubisoft will retain the streaming rights for the next 15 years and continue providing these games to players worldwide.
Hot Take: Microsoft Expands its Gaming Empire
With the completion of its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has significantly expanded its gaming empire. The addition of iconic franchises and studios solidifies Microsoft’s position in the gaming industry. However, questions remain about exclusivity and availability on different platforms. Xbox Game Pass subscribers can look forward to enjoying a broader range of games in the coming years, while Ubisoft’s involvement in cloud streaming adds another layer of possibilities for players worldwide.
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