Xbox Completes $69 Billion Acquisition of Activision Blizzard King

Microsoft’s Xbox division has officially completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King, marking the largest deal in the history of video games. The $69 billion takeover is set to usher in a new era of gaming, bringing legendary franchises like Call of Duty, Candy Crush, Diablo, Overwatch, Warcraft, and more under the Xbox umbrella.

The acquisition had faced significant regulatory scrutiny, particularly from US authorities but more pressingly from the the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) of the UK, which initially expressed concerns and blocked the bid. However, Microsoft’s commitment to addressing these concerns ultimately led to the green light for this monumental deal.

In their official press release, Xbox expressed their excitement and appreciation for the rich gaming history that Activision Blizzard King brings with it. The statement emphasized the profound impact these legendary studios have had on gaming, entertainment, and pop culture. From the dungeon-crawling adventures of Diablo to the explosive action of Call of Duty, and the captivating puzzle-solving of Candy Crush, these franchises have touched the lives of countless players worldwide.

Xbox’s Phil Spencer shared his admiration for the newly acquired teams and their contributions to the world of gaming. He recounted fond memories of gaming experiences that originated from the studios of Activision Blizzard King, underscoring the sentimental and cultural significance of these franchises.

With the official merger now complete, gaming community speculation about the possibilities this acquisition will affect the accessibility of these franchises across various platforms, including Game Pass and other platforms, making these iconic titles more readily availibleto gamers. But also Xbox’s signed commitment to continue to bring franchises like Call of Duty, and other franchises, to PlayStation and Nintendo platforms.

– official trailer from Microsoft press release, article by Mario J. Lucero for aywv