Microsoft completes Activision Blizzard acquisition | DestroyRepeat

Oct
14

Microsoft completes Activision Blizzard acquisition

Activision and Microsoft jointly announced that Microsoft had acquired Activision Blizzard (King). That was in January 2022, roughly 2 years ago. During all that time, Microsoft faced challenges regarding monopoly ideals. As of today, Microsoft only captures 20% of the Video Game market. The issue is Microsoft, in valuation is worth – today, October 13, 2023 – 2.4 Trillion. Not Million, Not Billion. Trillion. They have money to spend. To acquire Activision Blizzard, Microsoft obliged in spending $68 Billion to buy Activision Blizzard (King). The original reason why Microsoft would want Activision, it would be the mobile division – which is King. But Bobby Kotick turned around, and countered saying “Please, acquire Activision Blizzard as a whole.” Bobby Kotick approached Microsoft and negotiated the sale of Activision Blizzard (King), I think – during the talks – Bobby said “Please, acquire us.” But, the thing is, in the same breath, he supports, he praises, he praised China. Don’t believe me? Here’s my article where I share my concerns with Activision/Blizzard/King. And the best evidence that I could come up with, with regards to his praising of Communist China, would be his interview with the media…

Bobby Kotick outright praises a communist country on live television. That’s not just a YouTube video, it was broadcasted on CNBC. I would have been embarrassed if I was Kotick. This does not absolve Microsoft for a different reason, but I’ll get to that in a future article. Why would you… a C.E.O. of a multi-billion company, a franchise seller, an ICONIC brand, would you praise a communist country? Money. At the risk of embarrassment. Yeah, ok. Fine, do what you want. But in my opinion, the acquisition does not make me at ease. It’s not just the brand, it’s history. Microsoft has a habit of shutting down companies after acquisition, and/or firing key people in companies regardless of revenue. Microsoft shut down Mixer, a livestreaming service is one example. Microsoft frankensteined Gears of War by just purchasing the trademarks, the intellectual properties related to Gears of War, without purchasing the company that designs, produces, and sells Gears of War. [Source] I think, Microsoft learned from their acquisition of Gears of War, and the current spate of Halo. (Which is a longer story than Gears of War, I’ll break it it down, though: Microsoft acquired Halo franchise rights, and acquired Bungie in 2000. But, sold Bungie in February 2022.) Microsoft acquired Rare, but did not do much with the franchises under Rare, not even Killer Instinct, which was rebooted in 2013 as simply “Killer Instinct” for Xbox One. The messed up part of it is, they had a developer for it; Double Helix Games. Microsoft let slip Double Helix from their hands, and allowed Amazon to buy Double Helix. So, now, the lead developer of “Killer Instinct” is Iron Galaxy. Which, they haven’t acquired. The pattern is just… astronomical, at this point. Now, you’re thinking “Well, that’s not a lot of companies shuttered.” Okay. You sit there, and you’ll see then.

In any case, Microsoft now has a wealth of franchises under their belt. That includes Call of Duty, which, by today… has sold 400 Million copies (and installed) sold worldwide. This makes Microsoft’s acquisition of Mojang look like cakewalk. [Source] That does not just include Call of Duty. Microsoft just acquired World of Warcraft, Warcraft, Hearthstone, Skylanders, Guitar Hero, and more. The two biggest franchises under Activision that belonged or belongs to Sony was Crash Bandicoot and Spyro. Microsoft released a video package showing off the wealth of franchises arriving to Xbox in general – eventually.

Microsoft has not announced what they plan to do after this acquisition. Not even which game is going where. But this whole acquisition is over.

About Carlos Morales

I've been writing about Video Games since 2001. I have become a well-known, recognizable name in the industry. I started CarlosX360.com in 2006, and has accumulated over 1 Million Users, and 4.5 Million Pageviews worldwide. I'll always be most passionate about this wonderful community.

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