It has been a while since Microsoft has made any shockwaves. In 2020, Microsoft acquired Bethesda for $7.5 Billion, and the deal closed on the second half of fiscal year 2021. So, as of right now, Bethesda is cleared to be part of Microsoft. Today, Microsoft made another shocking announcement: Microsoft has made an offer to purchase Activision Blizzard in a all-cash transaction for $68.7 billion.
Microsoft announced it on Xbox Wire, Microsoft’s Xbox blog. The deal closes in the Fiscal Year 2023, which runs from July 2022 to June 2023. According to Phil Spencer, “Until this transaction closes, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Gaming will continue to operate independently. Once the deal is complete, the Activision Blizzard business will report to me as CEO, Microsoft Gaming.” As far as Bobby Kotick is concerned, in an e-mail message, he said that he will continue to operate Activision until the closing is complete, bar any regulatory approvals.
Sources: Press Release, Microsoft
In a report, this deal was brewing for a while now. However, according to the report, it had nothing to do with the chaotic controversy surrounding Kotick. But, Microsoft pulled Kotick aside and offered to take Activision Blizzard given the negative reception he was getting.
