Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella tweeted that a new era of gaming will usher in as Microsoft is all set to acquire Activision Blizzard. The acquisition 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 make Game Pass one of the most compelling and diverse line-ups of gaming content in the industry. Microsoft will have 30 internal game development studios, along with additional publishing and e-sports production capabilities.
Nadella stated in his tweet, “Together with @ATVI_AB, we will usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive, accessible to all.” Microsoft will acquire Activision Blizzard for $95.00 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $68.7 billion, inclusive if Activision Blizzard’s net cash. With this transaction, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony. This acquisition also includes that iconic franchises from the Activision Blizzard and King studios like “Warcraft,” “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush,” in addition to global e-Sports activities through Major League Gaming.
