How much did Activision buy Infinity Ward for?
Activision bought Infinity Ward, a cash-strapped game studio, for a total of $5 million in 2002, which has since turned out to be one of the most lucrative deals in the gaming industry, with Infinity Ward’s Call of Duty series generating over $3 billion in revenues for Activision. This acquisition is a testament to the strategic business moves made by Activision, which have significantly contributed to its current market capitalization of $74.28 billion.
Introduction to Activision and Infinity Ward
Activision’s acquisition of Infinity Ward marked the beginning of a successful partnership that would change the face of the gaming industry. Infinity Ward, founded in 2002, was a startup game development studio that had big aspirations but lacked the necessary funding to bring its ideas to life. Activision, seeing the potential in Infinity Ward’s talent and ideas, provided early financial support in exchange for a 30% stake in the startup.
The Rise of Call of Duty
The partnership between Activision and Infinity Ward led to the creation of the Call of Duty series, which has become one of the most popular and profitable gaming franchises in the world. The series has undergone numerous developments and updates over the years, with each new installment breaking sales records and pushing the boundaries of gaming technology.
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Is Infinity Ward owned by Activision?
Infinity Ward is one of Activision Blizzard’s most important acquisitions, and it has been a crucial part of the company’s success.
2. How much did Activision buy Blizzard for in 2008?
Activision acquired Blizzard in 2008 for an estimated $18.9 billion, a deal that further solidified Activision’s position as a major player in the gaming industry.
3. What is Activision’s biggest money maker?
The Activision segment, which develops and sells video games, is the company’s biggest revenue and profit generator.
4. How much did Activision get sold for?
Activision was acquired by Microsoft in 2022 for a whopping $68.7 billion, making it one of the largest deals in the gaming industry.
5. How much is Activision worth right now?
As of October 2023, Activision Blizzard’s market capitalization is $74.28 billion, making it one of the most valuable companies in the world.
6. What is Blizzard’s most profitable game?
While Blizzard has developed many successful games, Candy Crush and Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 are among the company’s most profitable titles.
7. What is Activision’s biggest franchise?
The Call of Duty franchise is one of the biggest and most profitable entertainment franchises of all time, with a massive following and consistent sales.
8. Who is Activision owned by?
As of October 2023, Activision is owned by Microsoft, which acquired the company in a deal worth $68.7 billion.
9. Who owns most of Activision Blizzard?
The largest shareholders of Activision Blizzard include Fmr Llc, Wellington Management Group Llp, Boston Partners, Vanguard Group Inc, and Invesco Ltd.
10. Why did Activision fire Infinity Ward?
Activision fired Vince Zampella and Jason West, the co-founders of Infinity Ward, in 2010 due to breach of contract and insubordination.
11. Does Activision own Deadpool?
Activision published the Deadpool video game in 2013, which was developed by High Moon Studios.
12. Why did Infinity Ward sue Activision?
Infinity Ward sued Activision over unpaid royalties and breach of contract, which led to a lengthy and complex lawsuit.
13. What’s the most sold COD game?
Call of Duty: Black Ops is the best-selling game in the franchise, with over 31 million copies sold worldwide.
14. What game has made the most money?
Dungeon Fighter Online is the highest-grossing video game of all time, with over $22 billion in revenue.
15. Is Call of Duty still profitable?
Yes, Call of Duty is still a highly profitable franchise, with Activision Blizzard reporting massive earnings from the series in 2023.