It’s Happening: Microsoft Buys Activision Blizzard for $68.7 Billion

Microsoft is officially purchasing Activision Blizzard, for a whopping $68.7 million. This comes just a day after reports surfaced of the gaming giant cleaning house after months (years, more like) of stories of abuse and misconduct from company higher ups. Close to 40 persons have been let go over the recent public reports.

But what we’re talking about right now is this sale.

Microsoft says this purchase will position them as the “third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony.” In 2020, they purchased Bethesda, publisher of the ever popular Fallout franchise, for a reported $7.5 billion deal. This Activision Blizzard acquisition certainly will bolster the Xbox portfolio with titles like Warcraft, Overwatch, and more.

Microsoft’s CEO of Gaming Phil Spencer said of the news: “Upon close [of the sale], 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.”

“We’re investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive and accessible to all,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said.

The deal is reportedly expected to close in 2023 if all goes well.