Phil Spencer will now oversee operations at the company.
Microsoft announced they decided to acquire Activision Blizzard, the publisher of Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Diablo, for $68.7 billion. Microsoft notes it will be the "third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony" when the deal is closed.
Microsoft also announced plans to add Activision’s games to Xbox Game Pass. Then, they will have the right to publish world-known franchises like Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush. "Upon close, we will offer as many Activision Blizzard games as we can within Xbox Game Pass and PC Game Pass, both new titles and games from Activision Blizzard’s incredible catalog," said Microsoft’s CEO of gaming Phil Spencer.
The company will own the following:
- Blizzard Entertainment
- Beenox
- Demonware
- Digital Legends
- High Moon Studios
- Infinity Ward
- King
- Major League Gaming (MLG)
- Radical Entertainment
- Raven Software
- Sledgehammer Games
- Toys for Bob
- Treyarch
Microsoft also states Xbox Game Pass has 25 million subscribers. Little is known about how Microsoft plans to solve different problems reported at Blizzard so stay tuned for more details. Phil Spencer, now CEO of Microsoft Gaming, will oversee future operations at Activision Blizzard.
"As a company, Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players,” added Phil Spencer. "We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams, and all leaders, to this commitment. We’re looking forward to extending our culture of proactive inclusion to the great teams across Activision Blizzard."
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