The remarkable acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is finally a done deal. An air of exhilaration and anticipation clouds the gaming industry as Xbox announces its historic $69 billion merger with Activision Blizzard King (ABK). Phil Spencer shared the good news via Xbox Wire, expressing his excitement about having ABK as part of the Xbox family and the significant implications for gamers' landscape.
Bobby Kotick, the current CEO of Activision Blizzard King, will maintain his role at least until the end of 2023. Spencer emphasized his commitment to gamers who play on various platforms, including Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, or mobile, reaffirming that they remain essential to their favorite franchises. Microsoft's ownership of Activision Blizzard does not necessarily indicate exclusivity. We already knew that Call of Duty would continue to be available on PlayStation for a minimum of 10 years.
This development came after a lengthy examination by international regulators, including the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) and the USA's Federal Trade Commission (FTC), amid concerns about potential harm to competition in the gaming industry. The CMA was specifically concerned about monopolizing cloud gaming. However, after Microsoft committed to selling the cloud streaming rights for Activision Blizzard's games to Ubisoft, the CMA finally gave its stamp of approval. This change has been perceived as a move to prevent Microsoft from dominating the fast-growing cloud gaming market.
Appreciating the CMA's meticulous review, Microsoft CEO, Brad Smith, expressed gratitude and excitement about the resulting sanctions: "We’re grateful for the CMA’s thorough review and decision today. We have now crossed the final regulatory hurdle to close this acquisition, which we believe will benefit players and the gaming industry worldwide."
With the deadline for completing the deal being October 18th, it is safe to say that we are at the tail end of a rough, nearly two-year journey. Now that the playing field seems set, the multi-billion dollar contract will be completed within the week, and Microsoft will soon officially own Activision Blizzard.
This significant merger may mark a transformative moment in the gaming industry, bringing new strategies, partnerships, and possibilities. No matter the platform that gamers use, one thing is clear: they are the heart and soul of the industry, and they will always have a place in this evolving world of gaming. Moreover, this deal symbolizes the broader trend of the gaming industry becoming ever more consolidated and interconnected, promising an exciting future for gamers worldwide.
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