Why did Blizzard sell to Microsoft?

Microsoft says it needs the deal to boost the Xbox

Microsoft says buying Activision would let it put more big titles on Game Pass - its Netflix-style subscription - and make more games for mobile phones, where there are big profits to be made.

Why did Microsoft acquire Blizzard?

Microsoft specifically chose Activision Blizzard for a reason. Activision Blizzard own the Call of Duty franchise, one of the biggest in gaming history. If Microsoft's acquisition deal closes, they will own the Call of Duty series, and be able to do whatever they want with it on their Xbox systems going forward.

What happened to Microsoft buying Blizzard?

Jan. 18, 2022: Microsoft is buying embattled Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard in the largest gaming industry acquisition ever. That means a lot of things, including that the head of Xbox, Phil Spencer, will soon be veteran CEO Bobby Kotick's new boss.

Why did Microsoft want Activision?

Buying Activision will give Microsoft ownership of many of the world's biggest games: not just Call of Duty, but others, including mobile behemoths like Candy Crush. All of those will be part of Microsoft and can be used to boost the offering of the Xbox.

Did Microsoft buy Blizzard?

Microsoft used every means at its disposal on Tuesday, Feb. 21, to push its acquisition of Activision Blizzard forward.

Here's Why Activision Was Sold So Quickly To Microsoft

What happens if Microsoft buys Activision?

The $68.7 billion purchase will undoubtedly upend the gaming industry, with the sale giving the tech giant access to top series like Call of Duty, Overwatch, World of Warcraft, Crash Bandicoot, and Diablo. The acquisition is sure to change the way many people play and access games at home and on the go.

Is Microsoft blocked from buying Activision?

The planned Microsoft Activision acquisition has been provisionally blocked by the UK's antitrust watchdog, the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) …

Why did Activision sell to Xbox?

“Its vision for the transaction is simple: Xbox wants to grow its presence in mobile gaming, and three-quarters of Activision's gamers and more than a third of its revenues come from mobile offerings,” according to Microsoft.

What are the advantages of Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard?

According to the conclusion, the benefits of the acquisition were clear— taking over Activision Blizzard's game production process and expanding into more markets on top of it, while the potential threat was based on Microsoft's management capabilities and the feasibility of the metaverse concept.

What does Microsoft buying Activision mean for Playstation?

It also means the developers will now focus on the Xbox version of their games first, and rival consoles second – if at all – which almost guarantees the best experience will be on Microsoft machines. It's a savvy move and one that Microsoft will hope can sway more people to buy their console.

Is Xbox still buying Activision?

A screen shot from “Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.” The popular shooter series is one of the most lucrative video game franchises. Microsoft made it clear on Tuesday that there will be no $69-billion deal to buy Activision Blizzard unless it comes with the blockbuster title “Call of Duty.”

Why is Microsoft buying game companies?

One of the major tenets of Microsoft's purchase of Mojang was to allow the company to maintain its freedom and autonomy over its IP, which would become a core staple of Microsoft's acquisition acumen going forward.

Who owned Blizzard before Microsoft?

In 1993, the company became Chaos Studios, Inc., and then Blizzard Entertainment soon after being acquired by distributor Davidson & Associates early in the following year. Shortly after, Blizzard released Warcraft: Orcs & Humans.

Why did Blizzard let Activision buy them?

Activision and Blizzard wanted to unlock the potential of Blizzard's value in intellectual properties by getting it away from a huge conglomerate like Vivendi. So with the help of Tencent, Activision purchased Blizzard from Vivendi. That is why ATVI stock is now listed as Activision/Blizzard.

What makes Activision Blizzard the most money?

The company's business is conducted through three major business segments, which include Activision, Blizzard, and King. The Activision segment, which develops and sells video games, is the company's biggest revenue and profit generator.

What makes the most money for Activision?

Mobile games accounted for over 50% of Activision Blizzard's revenue in the third quarter.

What is the deal between Microsoft and Activision?

On January 18, 2022, Microsoft announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in an all-cash deal, or approximately $95 per share. Activision Blizzard's stock price jumped nearly 40% that day in pre-market trading.

Who owns the rights to Call of Duty?

Call of Duty (often acronymized to CoD) is a first-person shooter video game franchise published by Activision. Starting out in 2003, it first focused on games set in World War II. Over time, the series has seen games set in the midst of the Cold War, futuristic worlds, and the modern day.

Will the Microsoft Activision deal close?

Microsoft Still Targets July 2023 as Closure Date for Its $69 Billion Activision Blizzard Deal.

Who is blocking the Microsoft Activision deal?

But things got really interesting in early December of last year, when the FTC sued to block Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard, with preliminary hearings set to begin this August.

Who is suing Microsoft?

Microsoft Corp was hit on Tuesday in US court with a private consumer lawsuit claiming the technology company's $69 billion bid to purchase “Call of Duty” maker Activision Blizzard Inc will unlawfully squelch competition in the video game industry.

Why is Microsoft being sued by FTC?

The agency alleges that the deal would enable Microsoft to suppress competitors to its Xbox gaming consoles and its rapidly growing subscription and cloud-gaming business. An evidentiary hearing is scheduled for Aug.

Is Google owned by Microsoft?

The company went public via an initial public offering (IPO) in 2004. In 2015, Google was reorganized as a wholly owned subsidiary of Alphabet Inc. Google is Alphabet's largest subsidiary and is a holding company for Alphabet's internet properties and interests.