Microsoft is buying Activision Blizzard
In an earth-shattering deal, Microsoft announced today that it has agreed to buy Activision Blizzard.
According to Bloomberg, that deal is valued at about $70 billion. In comparison, Microsoft spent $7.5 billion on Bethesda.
Activision Blizzard has been battling investigations into toxic workplace accusations during the past year. Selling could give current ownership, including CEO Bobby Kotick, something of a consolation. While leaders would still be subject to any consequences of those investigations, they can net a big payday by selling a company that is on a downward trend.
For Microsoft, this gives it access to some of the biggest gaming properties in history, including Call of Duty, which every year releases a best-selling shooter. Then there’s the Blizzard side, which is home to Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch. Activision also owns King, makers of the mobile megahit Candy Crush Saga.