Microsoft has just announced the acquisition of gaming giant Activision Blizzard, for the stunning price of $68.7 billion. Current Microsoft Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, will take over the reigns as new CEO of Activision Blizzard once the deal is completed.
“Until the deal closes, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Gaming will operate independently. Once the deal is completed, Activision Blizzard will refer to me as CEO.”
Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming
Once Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is complete, they will have an extremely strong position in on the gaming market. In addition to its own Xbox studios and their previous acquisitions of Bethesda, Microsoft will have control of game franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Starcraft, Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk, Candy Crush, Crash Bandicoot, Hearthstone and Overwatch.