This January 18, 2022 is a date that will mark the history of video games: it is on this day that Microsoft formalized the largest acquisition in its history, the most important (and by far) in the history of games. video, and a real cataclysm in the video game world: the acquisition, for 68.7 billion dollars, of Blizzard Activision, the mega-studio publisher of major licenses such as Overwatch, Diablo, Call of Duty, Warcraft, Crash Bandicoot, StarCraft Where Candy Crush.
An earthquake comparable, in the world of pop culture, to the takeover of Fox by Disney. A key episode in the turbulent history of video games. And perhaps the turning point that will definitely give Microsoft the necessary weapons to forever distance Sony at the top of the video game empires.
For 68.7 billion dollars, Microsoft offers the largest current video game studio, Blizzard Activision
What’s more, nothing had prepared us for this surprise, which caught all the price watchers. The information was revealed by Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier on Twitter. And as social media ignited to find out if the acquisition was real, Microsoft put an end to the suspense. Yes, the Xbox builder, publisher of Xbox Game Pass, had indeed acquired Blizzard Activision, the largest video game studio in the world.
The amount of the operation is also extraordinary: with 68.7 billion dollars, it is obviously the largest acquisition in the history of video games (and by far), but also the most big Microsoft acquisition. It’s a capital deal, a real one game changer, which will change the balance of power in a decisive way, and give unprecedented power to the Redmont firm on the present and the future of one of the leading media of our time.
What are the consequences for the video game ecosystem?
Admittedly, one can wonder about the risks of concentrating so much power in the hands of a single firm, but Microsoft has already proven its respect for the history of video games and the expectations of gamers, and the risks of a artistic drift seem reduced, especially since Blizzard will maintain independence in its title development policy.
On the other hand, on the video game ecosystem, it is difficult to know in advance what consequences this merger will have, and if it does not risk, in the long term, causing a real monopoly on the main orientations of the medium.
Microsoft takes control of mythical licenses and studios full of talent
Remember that with Blizzard Activision, Microsoft is getting its hands on legendary video game licenses, such as Call of Duty, Warcraft, Candy Crush, Overwatch, Diablo, Guitar Hero, Crash Bandicoot, StarCraft, Spyro, Tony Hawk’s…
The internet giant is also taking control of all the studios owned by Blizzard, as well as their teams, each with their own unique know-how. Again, the list is impressive: Blizzard Entertainment, Beenox, Demonware, Digital Legends, High Moon Studios, Infinity Ward, King, Major League Gaming, Radical Entertainment, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Toys for Bob, Treyarch…
Microsoft should not close its licenses to competing consoles…
All this in addition to the various studios that Xbox Game already controlled, making the new juggernaut a rather bewildering convergence of talents. CThe Redmont firm has obviously promised that the flagship licenses of Blizzard Activision will continue to have PlayStation versions – Microsoft has no interest in depriving itself of the income generated by these juicy sales.
Remember that after buying the Mojang studio, Microsoft did not limit Warcraft to the PC or Xbox universe, but let it live its life in all video game media. Microsoft’s strategy is not to kill its competitors, but to consolidate a dominant and central position.
…but will take an arguably unrecoverable lead on its Xbox Game Pass subscription offer
And there is a point on which the gap with Sony is likely to quickly become abysmal: on the video game offer by subscription. Already in advance, the Xbox Game Pass has a great chance of becoming the alpha and omega of the subscription gaming service. Already strong with a presence on Xbox, computers (PC, Mac and Linux) and mobile (Android and iOS), Xbox Game Pass will take advantage of Blizzard Activision’s catalog to strengthen its hold on this emerging sector, but whose importance should only increase in the future.
There remains one last unknown: will Microsoft take the opportunity to permanently clean up Blizzard Activision, to put an end to the serial harassment and the rape culture that prevails there?