After an extensive review process by competition authorities in multiple countries, Microsoft has officially completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, as announced in January 2022.

Microsoft is paying a record $68.7 billion dollars to acquire Activision Blizzard King. For comparison, Microsoft paid $7.5 billion to acquire game studio Bethesda in 2021.

The mega deal is intended to bolster Microsoft and Xbox's position in the gaming market. America's Microsoft now ranks as the third-largest player in the gaming industry by revenue, following China's Tencent and Japan's Sony.

- "And today, we officially welcome Activision Blizzard and their teams to Xbox. They are the publishers of some of the most played and most beloved franchises in gaming history across console, PC and mobile. From Pitfall to Call of Duty, World of Warcraft to Overwatch, Candy Crush Saga to Farm Heroes Super Saga, their studios have pushed the boundaries of gaming for players around the world," said Phil Spencer, CEO, Microsoft Gaming.


 Microsoft's biggest game franchises – not all of them from Activision Blizzard. Illustration: Microsoft

Binding agreements with Sonys et al.
The deal closed last Friday after the last obstacle was removed when the UK's competition authority approved the concessions made by Microsoft in response to its requests.

Microsoft has agreed to offer a free license to EU consumers, allowing them to play all purchased current and future Activision Blizzard games on any competing game streaming platform. Outside the EU, cloud streaming rights have been sold to Ubisoft for 15 years. Additionally, Microsoft has signed 10-year agreements with Sony, Nintendo and other companies to keep future 'Call of Duty' games available on competing game consoles.

Activision Blizzard owns game studios such as Activision Publishing, Blizzard Entertainment, Beenox, Demonware, Digital Legends, High Moon Studios, Infinity Ward, King, Major League Gaming, Radical Entertainment, Raven Software, Sledgehammer Games, Toys for Bob and Treyarch.


 Microsoft's game studios. Source: Klobrille, twitter

Activision Blizzard on Xbox Game Pass
The deal has closed, but it will take some time to make Activision Blizzard games available on Microsoft's subscription game service, Xbox Game Pass, which is available on Xbox consoles, select mobile platforms, and exclusively on newer Samsung Smart TVs for now.

- "Today we start the work to bring beloved Activision, Blizzard, and King franchises to Game Pass and other platforms. We'll share more about when you can expect to play in the coming months. We know you’re excited – and we are too," said Phil Spencer.

There are still a number of unanswered questions and consumers will have to wait longer for specific details regarding the impact on Xbox consoles, Xbox Game Pass, new games, and the gaming market as a whole.

Microsoft has released this teaser to showcase some of the game franchises it now controls.