In yet another blockbuster acquisition, Microsoft is set to conquer console exclusives with a planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard – the contentious publisher of Call of Duty, Overwatch, StarCraft, and other acclaimed titles such as World of Warcraft.
The deal values Activision at a very cool $68 billion USD – and Microsoft has wasted precious little time riding the news wave with the announcement that the company plans to add some of Activision’s titles to Xbox Game Pass once the deal goes through.
In a statement to the press, Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella offered that “…we’re investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive and accessible to all.”
Of course, there’s a level of irony to the statement considering that Activision Blizzard has been racked by continous allegations of sexual harrassment and misconduct and has recently shed an estimated 40 staff members.
Troubled CEO Bobby Kotick will continue to serve in his present role, and will ultimately report to Xbox head Phil Spencer.
The deal is expected to close in 2023.
