2023-10-14 00:29:08
Yang Liang2023-10-14 08:29:08
DoNews reported on October 14 that Microsoft announced on the evening of October 13, Beijing time, that it had completed the US$68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard after receiving approval from the British antitrust regulator “Competition and Markets Authority” (CMA).
This means that after more than 20 months of hard work, Microsoft finally successfully acquired Activision Blizzard. Upon completion of the acquisition, Activision Blizzard common stock will be delisted from Nasdaq.
According to Sina Technology citing foreign media reports, in January 2022, Microsoft announced that it would acquire Activision Blizzard for US$68.7 billion. After the transaction is completed, Microsoft will become the third-largest gaming company in the world by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.
Subsequently, multiple regulatory agencies around the world launched investigations into the transaction. On the 13th, Microsoft finally won the last pass required for this deal from the British CMA.
Phil Spencer, head of Microsoft’s Xbox business, said: “We all love games. Not only playing games, but also developing games, we can personally understand what games mean to individuals, collectives and communities. Today, we Officially welcoming Activision Blizzard and their team to Xbox.”
Phil Spencer also said that Microsoft now plans to add many Activision Blizzard games to the Xbox Game Pass subscription service. However, earlier this week, Activision Blizzard made it clear that “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3” and “Diablo 4” will not be available on Xbox Game Pass this year.
The deal is the largest acquisition Microsoft has ever made, far exceeding the $26 billion acquisition of LinkedIn in 2016 and the $7.5 billion acquisition of game publisher Bethesda in 2021. At the same time, this is also the largest action Microsoft has ever taken in the gaming market. After the transaction is completed, Microsoft will become the third largest gaming company in the world.
After acquiring Activision Blizzard, Microsoft’s Xbox game studios will add more than nine game studios from Blizzard and more than 11 game studios from King. At the same time, Microsoft will also transform into a publishing giant, and more than 8,500 Activision Blizzard employees will join Microsoft.
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotic said: “I have said before that I will do my best to help Microsoft complete the transition. Spencer wants me to continue as Activision Blizzard CEO and report directly to him. We An agreement has been reached that I will work until the end of 2023. For the sake of our team and our players, we will work together to ensure a smooth transition.”
1697267539
#Microsoft #announces #completion #acquisition #Activision #Blizzard #worlds #largest #gaming #company #DoNews