In what will be the new largest gaming buy-out in history (by a long shot) Microsoft is set to acquire publisher/developer, Activision Blizzard.
Here's the full release:
With three billion people actively playing games today and fueled by a new generation steeped in the joys of interactive entertainment, gaming is now the largest and fastest-growing form of entertainment. Today, Microsoft Corp. announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard Inc., a leader in game development and interactive entertainment content publisher. This acquisition will accelerate the growth in Microsoft’s gaming business across mobile, PC, console and cloud and will provide building blocks for the metaverse.
When the transaction closes, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony. The planned acquisition includes iconic franchises from the Activision, Blizzard and King studios like “Warcraft,” “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush,” in addition to global eSports activities through Major League Gaming. The company has studios around the world with nearly 10,000 employees.
“Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms,” said Satya Nadella, chairman and CEO, Microsoft. “We’re investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive and accessible to all.”
Gaming buyouts are a dime a dozen these days, and it seems like every time a record acquisition comes along, another one isn't far behind. Zynga, the studio behind games like FarmVille and Words with Friends recently made the announcement that they will be bought out by Take-Two Interactive.
Related Entertainment News: Zynga, the company behind your favourite social games is getting bought
With pretty much everything turning into an oligopoly, it's no surprise the gaming industry isn't immune.
Featured image: Microsoft via news.microsoft.com
