Acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft
Update on the takeover and prospects following this announcement of the takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft for 70 billion!
What is Activision Blizzard?
Before going into detail, you should know what Activision Blizzard stands for:
- Blizzard represents licenses such as Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Heartstone and Starcraft
- Activision for Call of Duty and a whole range of licenses like Tony Hawk, Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice, Quake, etc.
- It's also King, with Candy Crush (be careful, this weighs very heavily in the balance!)
Activision, Blizzard and King
Microsoft's message
You can find it on the official website of Microsoft, with the summary below:
- This acquisition aims to accelerate growth in the field of video games for Microsoft, Mobile, PC, console and Cloud, as well as to develop the metaverse
- $95.00 per share with a total of 68.7 billion
- they acquire all major licenses as well as Major League Gaming
- Bobby Kotick remains CEO of Activision Blizzard and will report to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer
- They are planning mobile releases like Halo and Warcraft
- They are planning Activision Blizzard games on the Game Pass
What future for Blizzard licenses?
Normally no change planned for the licenses, that is to say that Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 should follow their course. However, we can expect new mobile games under the Blizzard banner and the possibility of finding these licenses on the Microsoft Game Pass.
What future for Blizzard Esports?
Esports, one of Blizzard's pillars, has lost more and more of its luster, on licenses that are declining in audience. As a result, the cessation of Esport Heroes of the Storm and the sale of Esport rights to Starcraft 2. A priori Microsoft does not plan to revitalize these two licenses, but rather to have, as indicated in their press release, "capacities to produce esports".
Even if it's still too early to say, it could be that this takeover is a good thing for Activision Blizzard, which was in a bit of turmoil following accusations of harassment, the suspension of Esport licenses and the lack of "Superb" for their aging licenses. It remains to be seen whether Microsoft will keep its promises by redeeming itself for the happiness of developers and players! Do not hesitate to share your opinions in the comments, are you rather happy or worried by the buyout?
By Alchemists, January 2022
