If you ever thought about how the gaming industry could be changed drastically in the future, Microsoft had a perfect answer for that during their negotiations with Activision Blizzard.
Even though Microsoft is a software company, first and foremost, that could be easily changed in the coming few years. With our blabbering, you may have a question: did Microsoft buy Activision Blizzard?
Yes. Microsoft has successfully acquired Activision Blizzard, the creators of Call of Duty, for $68.7 billion despite the efforts of the UK’s competition blocking their path. The deal closed this Friday, and now Microsoft owns one of the biggest video game publishers in the world.ย
What Is Activision Blizzard?
While many gamers are familiar with Activision Blizzard, given it is one of the biggest video game publishers in the industry, some may not be aware of the company.
So, Activision Blizzard is a video game holding company that operates subsidiary studios, including Infinity Ward, High Moon Studios, Treyarch, and Toys for Bob.
These studios have made a lot of games in the market that are played by millions. Call of Duty, Skylanders, Overwatch, Warcraft, Candy Crush Saga, and StarCraft are among the most popular titles.
With Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision, you can say that now it basically owns many rights to selling these video games, but that won’t be enough for Microsoft to create a monopoly.
Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision: What It Means for Gamers
While giving Microsoft too much power in the gaming space will tilt the balance in the video gaming market since it owns Xbox, there were a lot of preventive measures taken by the CMA (Competition and Markets Authority).
Since the negotiations between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have been on the table for years, CMA proposed Activision sell the cloud gaming rights to Ubisoft, which the latter eventually agreed to in August 2023.
This movie will ensure that Microsoft won’t have complete control over the market’s position, giving other giants such as Ubisoft equal competition. So, there won’t be many noticeable changes to the gamers, at least not in the upcoming few years.
Furthermore, Microsoft agreed not to lock out the Call of Duty on PlayStation, meaning everyone gets to play the series without interruptions. Here’s what the Microsoft Gaming CEO, Phil Spencer, said in a statement.
“Whether you play on Xbox, PlayStation, Nintendo, PC, or mobile, you are welcome hereโand will remain welcome, even if Xbox isn’t where you play your favorite franchise; when everyone plays, we all win.”
How Did People React to Microsoft Acquiring Activision Blizzard?
Despite the CMA taking counter-measures to ensure nothing changes in the gamers’ market, the players’ concerns for the future are the real deal. Many people responded to the news on X, sharing their thoughts in the process.
Here are some notable reactions from the gamers who have learned about the news:
So, what do you think about Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard? Does it change anything? Let us know your thoughts in the comment section below.
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