As of October 13, Microsoft now officially owns Activision Blizzard after a year of negotiations. Franchises such as Call of Duty, Diablo, and Overwatch are now under Xbox’s banner.
Microsoft initially announced its intentions to purchase the company in 2022. In July 2023, the courts officially approved their purchase. Over the next year, several Activision Blizzard games will likely be available on Xbox Game Pass. Specific information will be available soon.
Microsoft’s Purchase of Activision Blizzard Has Gone Through
On October 13, Xbox posted a video on all of their accounts confirming that they now own Activision Blizzard. CEO Phil Spencer spoke more about the purchase on Xbox’s official website.
We love gaming. We play games, create games, and know first-hand how much gaming means to all of us as individuals and collectively, as a community. 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.
I’ve long admired the work of Activision, Blizzard, and King, and the impact they’ve had on gaming, entertainment, and pop culture. Whether it was late nights spent playing the Diablo IV campaign with friends from start to finish, gathering the entire family in the rec room for our weekly Guitar Hero night, or going on an epic streak in Candy Crush, some of my most memorable gaming moments came from experiences their studios have created. It is incredible to welcome such legendary teams to Xbox.
Additionally, Activision CEO Bobby Kotick confirmed that he will be stepping down from his position by the end of 2023. More specific details on the acquisition and what it means for Xbox’s gaming lineup will likely be revealed soon. Check out the video revealing Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard below:
Lastly, Activision’s next game, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III, will release on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox One, Xbox Series X|S, and PC on November 10. Their most recent game, Diablo IV, is available now on PS5, Xbox Series X|S, PC, PS4, and Xbox One.
