Microsoft has agreed to buy Activision Blizzard for $69 billion, the company behind successful games like “Call of Duty” but also accused of sexual harassment and discrimination against women.
“This acquisition will accelerate the growth in Microsoft’s gaming business across mobile, PC, console and cloud and will provide building blocks for the Metaverse,” Microsoft said in a statement.
Microsoft will pay $95 per share in cash for one of the top game companies in the United States, known for titles such as Call of Duty and World of Warcraft but also coping with a cultural revolution over its treatment of women.
According to Microsoft, Activision Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick will remain in his position. The Activision Blizzard division will report to
Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, after the transaction is completed.
The addition of Activision’s popular games will help Microsoft broaden its Xbox console’s options and better compete with competitor Sony Corp.’s PlayStation. The Xbox has a lengthy relationship with Activision.
Call of Duty, the publisher’s most popular title, has grown in popularity thanks to Microsoft’s unique online platform Xbox Live, which allows players to join for multiplayer engagements. The majority of Activision’s games are for Xbox systems.
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