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Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard for around $70 billion. The Xbox mother makes the biggest deal in its history and brings games like “Call of Duty” and “World of Warcraft” under one roof. Five questions and answers about the impact.
Microsoft has now bought Blizzard Activision for around 70 billion. This is the biggest deal so far, but not the first.
Blizzard
Bethesda, makers of the Elder Scrolls and Fallout, was also bought. For seven billion.
Bethesda
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Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard for around $70 billion.
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Games and responsibility now go to Xbox boss Phil Spencer.
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This is the biggest deal in gaming history so far.
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In five questions, we will show you what this means for users, gamers and fans.
The mega takeover came out of nowhere. The software company Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it would buy the game developer Activision Blizzard. Almost 70 billion for games like “Call of Duty” and “World of Warcraft”. What does this mean for gamers? Some questions and answers about the mega deal.
What does the deal mean exactly?
The acquisition places all of Activision-Blizzard’s operations, including employees and games, under Microsoft’s responsibility. Xbox boss Phil Spencer himself will become CEO of Blizzard and will take over the lead in the future. It can be expected that the latest products and games from Blizzard will appear primarily on Xbox platforms.
What games are owned by Blizzard Activision?
The Blizzard and Activision group owns games and franchises such as Call of Duty, Warcraft, Hearthstone, Overwatch, StarCraft, Diablo, Crash Bandicoot and even Candy Crush.
So games like «Call of Duty» only come to Xbox?
As far as unlikely. The shooter franchise has had a firm place on the Playstation for years and also makes the most sales there. The world’s popular construction and survival game “Minecraft” also belongs to Xbox and is available on every platform. However, it is expected that Blizzard’s games will be playable on the Xbox/PC Game Pass subscription service.
What does this mean around the Blizzard controversy?
Blizzard Activision has been struggling with accusations of sexism over the past year. The company’s reputation suffered greatly. Microsoft wants to bring a breath of fresh air to the management level and promises in the press release: “As a company, Microsoft is committed to promoting the inclusion of employees and players in all areas of gaming. This culture of proactive inclusion will be extended to the Activision Blizzard teams as well.”
Will Xbox Game Pass become the Netflix of the gaming industry?
After the purchase of Bethesda, Blizzard is now also added. The globally successful hit games such as “Skyrim”, “Fallout” and “Doom” will probably be supplemented by “Call of Duty”, “Overwatch” and Co. This will make the already extensive Xbox Game Pass catalog even larger and more diverse. The service has now reached 25 million users. However, as games come and go, it remains to be seen how long the service can remain attractive.
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