Microsoft would thus take over well-known game brands such as “Starcraft”, “Overwatch” or “Call of Duty” in addition to the staff of Activision Blizzard. According to its own statements, the acquisition would make Microsoft the third-largest games company in the world behind Tencent and Sony. The deal is to be completed in fiscal year 2023, which ends for Microsoft in June 2023.

Just last spring, Microsoft completed its acquisition of Bethesda parent company Zenimax Media. The deal cost US$7.5 billion – peanuts compared to the planned Activision acquisition. At a cost of $68.7 billion, the Activision Blizzard acquisition would be the most expensive deal in the tech sector to date.

Future Bethesda productions will be released exclusively on Windows PCs and Xbox consoles after the Microsoft takeover. So it’s possible that Activision Blizzard’s games won’t be released on Playstation consoles in the future either. However, Microsoft writes in the Xbox blog that at least the previous games from Activision Blizzard will continue to be supported on various platforms.

Cult game brands and Candy Crush

In the press release, Microsoft emphasizes Activision Blizzard’s expertise in the mobile games market: With titles like “Candy Crush,” Activision Blizzard has successful mobile games in its portfolio. “Thanks to great teams and great technology, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft will enable gamers to experience brands like ‘Halo’ and ‘Warcraft’ virtually anywhere,” the release states.

As was the case after the Bethesda acquisition last year, Activision Blizzard’s PC and console games are also expected to come to Microsoft’s Game Pass subscription service in large part. Activision Blizzard has developed the “Starcraft,” “Warcraft,” “Call of Duty” and “Diablo” game series, among others. Titles like “Hearthstone”, “World of Warcraft” and “Overwatch” also belong to Activision Blizzard.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella links the planned acquisition of the U.S. gaming company to the Metaverse. “Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting form of entertainment and will play a key role in the development of Metaverse platforms,” Nadella said. “We are investing in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era. “

Sexism allegations against Activision Blizzard

Activision Blizzard’s reputation has suffered greatly over the past year due to sexism allegations. Last July, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) filed a lawsuit against Blizzard. The lawsuit is primarily about discrimination against female employees: women at Blizzard were systematically discriminated against, harassed and bullied, it says. Male employees are said to have regularly appeared in the office under the influence of alcohol and made sexist remarks. Supervisors are also said to have participated. Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, who has also been incriminated by media reports, is to remain in office.

In the press release, Microsoft only indirectly addresses the allegations against Activision Blizzard. “Microsoft is committed to inclusion in all aspects of video games, both employees and players,” writes Xbox boss Phil Spencer in a blog entry. In November, Spencer had still announced that he wanted to review the business relationship with the U.S. game company in light of the sexism allegations.