Microsoft’s head of Xbox, Phil Spencer.
Dan Steinberg/Invision/AP
- Microsoft is buying “Call of Duty” publisher Activision.
- Microsoft is paying nearly $70 billion in cash for the game company.
- Activision owns Blizzard and King, and Microsoft will acquire those companies as well in the deal.
Microsoft is buying Activision, the major video game publisher behind the “Call of Duty” franchise, in a deal valued at nearly $70 billion.
It’s the largest video game acquisition in history, and Microsoft’s largest acquisition as a company.
Microsoft said it’s an all-cash deal, and is paying $68.7 billion. That price values Activision’s stock price at $95.00 per share — a price it hasn’t held since July 2021.
In the deal, Microsoft gets a huge selection of intellectual property and game development resources: Game franchises like “Call of Duty,” “World of Warcraft,” and “Candy Crush,” in addition to major game studios like Blizzard Entertainment and Treyarch.
A selection of games and studios that Microsoft is getting in the acquisition of Activision.
Microsoft
Microsoft is also inheriting Activision’s recently reported culture issues, including claims that CEO Bobby Kotick knew for years about a variety of claims of sexual harassment and rape at his company, and did little to fix the problems.
Kotick will continue on with the company, Microsoft said in its press release announcement, and will report to Xbox leader Phil Spencer when the deal closes.
“Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today,” Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said in the release, “and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms.”
The deal is expected to close in Microsoft’s 2023 fiscal year, the company said.
Developing …
Got a tip? Contact Insider senior correspondent Ben Gilbert via email ([email protected]), or Twitter DM (@realbengilbert). We can keep sources anonymous. Use a non-work device to reach out. PR pitches by email only, please.
Read the original article on Business Insider 
