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Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

news.microsoft.com

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Re: Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

#291

Post by sofixa »

duckmysick wrote: post #262

I always wondered, what are the exact steps between announcing to acquire and actually acquiring. Especially this: > Microsoft will acquire Activision Blizzard for $95.00 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $68.7 billion, inclusive of Activision Blizzard’s net cash. When the transaction closes, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony. What exactly…

They need approval from shareholders and regulators in every country they operate in, and then do a bunch of legal work. It's not unusual for such big acquisitions to take years to be finalised ( for instance a regulator might impose divestment or limitations), or even to fall through ( e.g. Boeing-Embraer, Alstom-Siemens, Nvidia-ARM).

Re: Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

#292

Post by aaronsimpson »

Aissen wrote: post #8

> 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. [Xbox PR] > The acquisition also bolsters Microsoft’s Game Pass portfolio with plans to launch Activision Blizzard games into Game Pass [MS PR] In case anyone still doubts that Microsoft is all-in on Game Pass.

Diablo 4 on Game Pass definitely makes for an interesting value proposition. Maybe login will actually work this time at launch :p

Re: Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

#294

Post by sovnade »

seanalltogether wrote: post #106

Blizzard was the one game company that I bought all of their games no questions asked. Part of me is sad that this day has come, but the other part of me is kinda hopeful that this will allow for more dedicated focus on traditional Blizzard IP.

Back in the day sure, but the blizzard of 20 years ago is long gone. Diablo 3 is an abysmal followup to D2, every CoD is just an annual rehash, hearthstone is an absolute moneygrab, and HotS is the most watered down moba I've ever played.

Overwatch is cool though.

edit: and oh my god, let's not forget the absolute dumpster fire of warcraft 3 reforged.

Re: Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

#295

Post by Narishma »

yalogin wrote: post #232

Will the DoJ jump in? Only two gaming consoles in the world and one of it is buying one of the biggest game developer for both platforms. Very good reason for DoJ to jump in

This is the second big publisher they're buying recently, after Bethesda.

Re: Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

#296

Post by ptntl »

ptntl wrote: post #290
4e530344963049 wrote: post #249

Earlier quoted context omitted.

Does CoD become an Xbox/Windows exclusive?

No chance. COD has consistently been a huge money maker on PS and Vanguard was #1 last year. They would lose out on way too much revenue, not to mention that massive negative sentiment that would bring towards Xbox and big game / console manufacturers. I think certain games like Halo and maybe some Bethesda will stay (ones that have previously been exclusive). But acquiring a AAA company and then cutting off half of…

In addition, I believe they have already announced they plan to continue support for other consoles/systems, and they definitely announced they support a PS "gamepass". Wouldn't be surprised if ABK would be included in a PS gamepass (Microsoft ultimately makes money from that).

Re: Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

#297

Post by unethical_ban »

parkingrift wrote: post #196

No acquisition of this size should ever be allowed. This is way too much consolidation. Microsoft is buying their way to becoming the #2 or #3 gaming company in the world. They should have to innovate and compete their way to the #2 or #3 gaming company in the world. Who is going to be able to compete with Xbox Game Pass?

Counterpoint: It's gaming. It is a space with a low barrier to (indie) entry and it is not part of some critical infrastructure. Maybe it is lamentable, but I am not sure antitrust would be my way to go for this.

Re: Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

#298

Post by [deleted] »

1_player wrote: post #2

The most important question I have is: will they replace Bobby Kotick? EDIT: "Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard. [...] he and his team will maintain their focus on driving efforts to further strengthen the company’s culture." Shame on you, Microsoft.

[deleted]

Re: Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

#299

Post by falcor84 »

JeremyNT wrote: post #238
999900000999 wrote: post #111

Earlier quoted context omitted.

As a GamePass subscriber, I mildly disagree. Saw an indie game last night and felt like buying it. Steam Deck is Valve opening up an alternative to Microsoft land. Although I will admit I'm tempted to cancel my pre order since I'm worried it won't run well.

> Steam Deck is Valve opening up an alternative to Microsoft land. This seems to put the writing on the wall for the Steam Deck though, right? How many people are really going to care about a Valve system that can't run any of the popular games from the MS catalog? I preordered the Steam Deck and plan to follow through with the purchase, but things look pretty dismal for Valve at this juncture. It seems like they're…

> How many people are really going to care about a Valve system that can't run any of the popular games from the MS catalog?

So far, it seems MS is quite happy to put its games on Steam as an additional revenue source. Looking now, Xbox Game Studios has 49 games on steam, including its latest and biggest offerings, such as Halo Infinite and Forza Horizon 5[0].

[0]https://store.steampowered.com/curator/3090835-Xbox-Game-Stu...

Re: Microsoft to Acquire Activision Blizzard

#300

Post by hmate9 »

Sounds like an amazing deal for Microsoft. Activision shares had it rough recently so the price isn’t that bad and ITS AN ALL CASH DEAL.

With inflation probably coming in a big way it sounds like a great idea to spend all that money now.

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