Did Microsoft already buy Activision?

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Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision: A Done Deal

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Microsoft has indeed acquired Activision Blizzard, completing the $68.7 billion deal on October 13, 2023, after overcoming significant regulatory hurdles in Britain and the United States. This landmark acquisition gives Microsoft control over iconic gaming franchises such as Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, and WarCraft, significantly bolstering its position in the gaming industry.

Frequently Asked Questions

General Information

  1. Did Microsoft buy Activision?: Yes, Microsoft has completed its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, making it one of the largest deals in the tech industry.
  2. Why did Microsoft acquire Activision?: The acquisition is part of Microsoft’s strategy to expand its gaming portfolio, increase its market share, and bolster its Xbox Game Pass subscription service with high-profile gaming titles.
  3. When was the deal finalized?: The deal was finalized on October 13, 2023, after receiving approvals from regulatory bodies in the UK and the US.

Regulatory Approval

  1. Was the deal blocked by any regulatory body?: Initially, the US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) expressed concerns over the deal, but eventually, it received the necessary approvals.
  2. Why were regulators concerned about the deal?: Regulators were concerned that the acquisition could harm competition in the gaming industry by giving Microsoft too much power and control over popular gaming franchises.

Impact on Gaming Industry

  1. What does the acquisition mean for the gaming industry?: The acquisition signifies a significant shift in the gaming landscape, with Microsoft gaining control over multi-million dollar IPs and potentially changing the dynamics of console wars between Xbox and PlayStation.
  2. Will Call of Duty become an Xbox exclusive?: Despite concerns, Microsoft has assured that Call of Duty will remain available on PlayStation 5, maintaining its multi-platform availability.

Financial Aspects

  1. How much did Microsoft pay for Activision?: Microsoft paid $68.7 billion to acquire Activision Blizzard, making it one of the largest acquisitions in the tech industry.
  2. What will Activision shareholders receive?: Activision shareholders will receive $95.00 per share as part of the acquisition deal.

Ownership and Structure

  1. Who owns Microsoft?: Microsoft’s ownership structure is a mix of institutional investors, insiders, and public companies and individual investors.
  2. Does Microsoft own EA?: No, Microsoft does not own Electronic Arts (EA), although it might own some shares as a publicly traded company.

Future Prospects

  1. Will Amazon buy EA?: There are no current plans or indications that Amazon will buy Electronic Arts, according to sources.
  2. Why didn’t Microsoft buy EA?: The reason Microsoft didn’t buy EA is reportedly because EA makes more money on the PlayStation platform than on Microsoft’s platform, making the acquisition less financially viable.

Gaming Franchises

  1. Who owns Call of Duty?: Call of Duty is owned by Activision, which is now a part of Microsoft after the acquisition.
  2. Is Call of Duty still selling well?: Yes, Call of Duty games continue to be among the best-selling console games, with the franchise maintaining its popularity despite fluctuations in sales figures over the years.

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