According to reports, Microsoft today announced the acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard. Microsoft will acquire Activision Blizzard for $95.00 per share in an all-cash deal valued at $68.7 billion, including Activision Blizzard’s net cash.
After the deal, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, after Tencent and Sony. Thanks to previous news, Activision Blizzard rose 37% in pre-market trading. The planned acquisitions include well-known titles from Activision Blizzard and subsidiary King, such as the Warcraft franchise, Diablo, Overwatch, Call of Duty and Candy Crush, among others, according to Microsoft’s statement.
Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as Activision Blizzard’s CEO, and after the deal closes, Activision Blizzard’s business will report to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, the statement said. In addition to further promoting Microsoft’s position in the gaming space, the deal is also a good thing for Activision Blizzard. It is reported that since Activision Blizzard was reported sexually harassing employees last year, the legendary game company’s reputation has plummeted.
Some employees who have left Activision Blizzard broke the news, saying that there is serious gender discrimination against female employees within Activision Blizzard. Female employees often receive lower wages and may be harassed and harassed by Activision Blizzard executives. abuse.
This has also caused Activision Blizzard to have huge business problems in addition to the collapse of word of mouth. After the incident was exposed, the executives of Microsoft’s Xbox department and Sony’s SIE department expressed their disappointment with Activision Blizzard and had intended to terminate the cooperation between the two parties. After this Microsoft acquisition, it may also carry out a major cleanup of Activision Blizzard to completely solve this problem.
