https://www.channelfutures.com/wp-content/themes/channelfutures_child/assets/images/logo/footer-new-logo.png
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Tech Services Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • MSP 501 Information Center
    • 2021 MSP 501 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2022 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Top Gun 51
    • Channel Partners 101 (CP 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
Channel Futures
  • NEWSLETTER
  • Home
  • Technologies
    • Back
    • SDN/SD-WAN
    • Cloud
    • RMM/PSA
    • Security
    • Telephony/UC/Collaboration
    • Cable
    • Mobility & Wireless
    • Fiber/Ethernet
    • Data Centers
    • Backup & Disaster Recovery
    • IoT
    • Desktop
    • Artificial Intelligence
    • Analytics
  • Strategy
    • Back
    • Mergers and Acquisitions
    • Channel Research
    • Business Models
    • Distribution
    • Tech Services Brokerages
    • Sales & Marketing
    • Best Practices
    • Vertical Markets
    • Regulation & Compliance
    • Diversity, Equity & Inclusion
  • MSP 501
    • Back
    • MSP 501 Information Center
    • 2021 MSP 501 Rankings
  • Intelligence
    • Back
    • Galleries
    • Podcasts
    • From the Industry
    • Reports/Digital Issues
    • Webinars
    • White Papers
  • Channel Futures TV
  • EMEA
  • Channel Chatter
    • Back
    • People on the Move
    • New/Changing Channel Programs
    • New Products & Services
    • Industry Honors
  • Resources
    • Back
    • Advisory Boards
    • Industry Organizations
    • Our Sponsors
    • Advertise
    • 2022 Editorial Calendar
  • Awards
    • Back
    • 2021 MSP 501
    • Circle of Excellence
    • DE&I 101
    • Top Gun 51
    • Channel Partners 101 (CP 101)
  • Events
    • Back
    • CP Conference & Expo
    • MSP Summit
    • Channel Partners Europe
    • Channel Partners Event Coverage
    • Webinars
    • Industry Events
  • About Us
  • DE&I
    • Newsletter
  • REGISTER
  • MSPs
  • VARs / SIs
  • Agents
  • Cloud Service Providers
  • Channel Partners Events
 Channel Futures

Mergers and Acquisitions


Shutterstock

Acquisition fish eating little fish

Microsoft to Acquire Game Developer Activision Blizzard for Nearly $70 Billion

  • Written by Claudia Adrien
  • January 18, 2022
The giant deal will expand Microsoft’s gaming business growth across mobile.

Microsoft has acquired Activision Blizzard, the game developer and interactive entertainment content publisher, for $68.7 billion in cash. Microsoft expects the acquisition to accelerate the growth of its gaming business across mobile, PC, console and cloud. It also will provide building blocks for the metaverse.

Furthermore, this deal positions Microsoft to become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony. The planned acquisition includes iconic franchises from the Activision, Blizzard and King studios like “Warcraft,” “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush. In addition, Microsoft gets global esports activities through Major League Gaming. The company has studios around the word with nearly 10,000 employees.

Mobile

Microsoft's Satya Nadella

Microsoft’s Satya Nadella

Satya Nadella is chairman and CEO of Microsoft.

“Gaming is the most dynamic and exciting category in entertainment across all platforms today and will play a key role in the development of metaverse platforms,” Nadella said. “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.”

Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard. He and his team will maintain their focus on further strengthening the company’s culture and growing their business. Once the deal closes, the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, CEO, Microsoft Gaming.

“Players everywhere love Activision Blizzard games, and we believe the creative teams have their best work in front of them. Together we will build a future where people can play the games they want, virtually anywhere they want.,” Spencer said.

Microsoft's Phil Spencer

Microsoft’s Phil Spencer

 

Mobile is the largest segment in gaming, with nearly 95% of all players globally enjoying games on mobile. As a result, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard will empower players to enjoy immersive franchises, like “Halo” and “Warcraft,” virtually anywhere they want. Also, Activision Blizzard´s mobile business represents a significant presence and opportunity for Microsoft in this fast-growing segment. Take “Candy Crush” as an example.

Game Pass Portfolio

The acquisition also bolsters Microsoft’s Game Pass portfolio with plans to launch Activision Blizzard games into Game Pass, which has reached a new milestone of over 25 million subscribers. With Activision Blizzard’s nearly 400 million monthly active players in 190 countries and three billion-dollar franchises, this acquisition will up Game Pass’ “game” with more diverse content. Upon close, Microsoft will have 30 internal game development studios, along with additional publishing and esports production capabilities.

Moreover, gaming is now the largest and fastest-growing form of entertainment as 3 billion people actively play games today.

Bobby Kotick is CEO of Activision Blizzard.

“For more than 30 years our incredibly talented teams have created some of the most successful games,” Kotick said. “The combination of Activision Blizzard’s world-class talent and extraordinary franchises with Microsoft’s technology, distribution, access to talent, ambitious vision and shared commitment to gaming and inclusion will help ensure our continued success in an increasingly competitive industry.”

Tags: Cloud Service Providers Cloud Mergers and Acquisitions Mobility & Wireless Strategy

Most Recent


  • Cash
    Pathlock Gains $200 Million in Funding, Merges with Appsian, Security Weaver
    Through this M&A, Pathlock has combined its channel partner organization.
  • Cybersecurity digital lock
    Telarus Cybersecurity Assessment Software Latest in TSB Tools Arms Race
    Telarus put significant funding in to the project and will be updating it with new modules throughout the year.
  • Sophos tip
    Microsoft Global Channel Chief Rodney Clark Makes Sudden Exit
    The unexpected departure takes place just one year after Clark took over the position.
  • Managed Security Services
    Palo Alto Networks, Deloitte Offering Managed Security Services
    Deloitte Cyber and Palo Alto Networks announced their strategic alliance last July.

Leave a comment Cancel reply

-or-

Log in with your Channel Futures account

Alternatively, post a comment by completing the form below:

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Related Content

  • Health care network
    IBM Sells Health Care Data and Analytics Assets to Investment Firm
  • M&A
    Top IT, MSP M&A, Private Investment Deals of 2022 So Far
  • Splunk’s TruSTAR Purchase Reinforces Cloud Security Aims
    Datto Buys Infocyte, as MSPs Are 'Squarely in the Security Business'
  • m&a
    Prodapt Acquires Synophic Worldwide, Gains 600+ Employees

Upcoming Events

View all

Channel Partners Europe

June 14, 2022 - June 15, 2022

MSP Summit

September 13, 2022 - September 16, 2022

Galleries

View all

Unprecedented Times Impacting Cybersecurity Channel Partners

May 16, 2022

8 Channel People Making Waves This Week at Avant, Cisco, Databricks, More

May 13, 2022

Talent Shortage Ripple Effects Continue to Create Headaches for Partners

May 13, 2022

Industry Perspectives

View all

Build Customers for Life with CX and Lifecycle Selling

May 16, 2022

Voice Analytics Are a Must-Have as Companies Evolve COVID-Rushed Tech

May 12, 2022

Top 5 Trends and Challenges Channel Partners Are Facing in 2022

May 9, 2022

Webinars

View all

Simplifying SaaS Security for MSPs

April 27, 2022

How to Supercharge The Network to Support Your IT Superhero Moves

May 3, 2022

The 2022 MSP Challenge: Scale Service Delivery Despite the Talent Gap

April 21, 2022

White Papers

View all

The New Bottom Line: How MSPs Can Meet the Healthcare Crisis While Evolving Their Businesses

April 19, 2022

How to build a Security Operations Center (on a budget)

April 4, 2022

The AT&T Cybersecurity Incident Response Toolkit

April 4, 2022

Channel Futures TV

View all

AT&T, Microsoft, Cisco, ThreatLocker on Unlocking Partner Potential

Agents Share ‘Secrets,’ Industry Opportunity

May 11, 2022

Vonage Addresses Potential Partner Opportunity via Acquisition by Ericsson

May 5, 2022

Lumen Technologies ‘Built for Growth and Scale’

May 4, 2022

Twitter

ChannelFutures

.@pathlock secures $200 million in new funding, announces M&A to increase capabilities. #appsecurity… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 17, 2022
ChannelFutures

Mark your calendar for our upcoming #VirtualWorkshop! On May 26th at 2 p.m. EDT, this session will show you the pow… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 17, 2022
ChannelFutures

Let's take a look at last year's incredible #DEI101 honorees > spr.ly/6015zEq67. The nomination form is open… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 17, 2022
ChannelFutures

Read about the latest tool from @telarus. dlvr.it/SQX4Pl https://t.co/khXDQWeVW8

May 17, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@PaloAltoNtwks, @Deloitte expand alliance to offer #managedsecurity services. dlvr.it/SQVFrp https://t.co/7VFlXLFIEK

May 16, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@1111systems has snagged certain key managed service and cloud infrastructure assets through two key acquisitions.… twitter.com/i/web/status/1…

May 16, 2022
ChannelFutures

.@kaspersky vet to lead @CywareCo's North America channel. #cybersecurity dlvr.it/SQV5S3 https://t.co/2n9CZ4H6Ke

May 16, 2022
ChannelFutures

How to build and provide a great customer experience. #CX #ChannelPartners @IngramMicroInc dlvr.it/SQTrfh https://t.co/RsAA2Lliek

May 16, 2022

MSSP Insider

Business advice for MSSPs and news from the broader security channel.

Newsletters and Updates

Sign up for The Channel Report, Channel Futures Update, MSP 501 Newsletter and more.

Live Channel Events

Get the latest information on the next industry-leading Channel Partners event.

Galleries

Educational slide shows and images from live events.

Media Kit And Advertising

Want to reach our audience? Access our media kit.

DISCOVER MORE FROM INFORMA TECH

  • Channel Partners Events
  • Telecoms.com
  • MSP 501
  • Black Hat
  • IoT World Today
  • Omdia

WORKING WITH US

  • Contact
  • About Us
  • Advertise
  • Newsletter

FOLLOW Channel Futures ON SOCIAL

  • Privacy
  • CCPA: “Do Not Sell My Data”
  • Cookie Policy
  • Terms
Copyright © 2022 Informa PLC. Informa PLC is registered in England and Wales with company number 8860726 whose registered and Head office is 5 Howick Place, London, SW1P 1WG.
This website uses cookies, including third party ones, to allow for analysis of how people use our website in order to improve your experience and our services. By continuing to use our website, you agree to the use of such cookies. Click here for more information on our Cookie Policy and Privacy Policy.
X