PC Gamer - UK (2022-04)

BIG GAME HUNTING

Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of ACTIVISION BLIZZARD is the biggest deal in games history

been calls for Kotick’s resignation

from various quarters, but for the

moment he remains in position:

reports say the plan is for him to step

down once the deal is closed.

MONOPOLY MONEY

It wasn’t so long ago that Microsoft’s

involvement in gaming was in

question. But when Satya Nadella

took over as Microsoft CEO in 2014,

it made a bold statement of intent –

acquiring Minecraft – before

changing course, moving away from

trying to sell consoles – though for

now, of course, it still does – and

towards selling subscriptions across

as much hardware as possible.

B

efore 2022 had even
really began, Microsoft
shocked the games
industry by announcing
it would acquire
Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion.
The scale of the buyout is
staggering and will give Microsoft
control of some of the biggest game
series around, including Call of
Duty and Overwatch, and overnight
make it the third-largest game
company in the world by revenue.

It’s not a done deal, and the US
Federal Trade Commission will be
investigating, but the general
consensus among business and legal

specialists is that it will go through.

Microsoft has said that it expects to

complete the takeover by July 2023.

The deal raised questions about

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby

Kotick, who has recently faced strong

criticism accusing the company of

ignoring or mishandling allegations

of workplace harassment. There have

THE DEAL RAISED

QUESTIONS ABOUT

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD

CEO BOBBY KOTICK

ABOVE: ActiBlizzard

has some big games in

the works, including

Diablo IV and

Overwatch 2 – though

both of those still

seem to be a long way

off release.

MONITOR

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