Microsoft Completes Acquisition of Activision Blizzard

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is now officially complete, following the UK Competition and Markets Authority's final approval. The deal, initially announced in January 2022, has overcome regulatory hurdles in the UK, EU, and US. Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has welcomed Activision Blizzard, stating that the combined team will focus on delivering gaming experiences to a wider audience, emphasizing a culture of inclusion and empowerment. Spencer also announced that work has begun to integrate beloved Activision, Blizzard, and King franchises into Game Pass and other platforms. Meanwhile, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will remain in his position until the end of 2023 to ensure a smooth transition. As part of the deal, Microsoft has granted Ubisoft perpetual cloud streaming rights for Activision Blizzard titles, including Call of Duty, over the next 15 years, enabling Ubisoft to expand its cloud gaming offerings.