Xbox might be one of the biggest players in gaming, but it took some convincing for Activision Blizzard to accept Microsoft's offer. Looking at who else was involved, we can be happy Xbox came out on top!
According to another Bloomberg report, Activision was looking for potential buyers when its stock dropped, following workplace harassment allegations. Microsoft was not top of that list though, as other options were explored first.
One of those was Facebook, the company now known as Meta Platforms Inc. Activision reached out to them over a potential deal, but serious interest never really materialised.
"Activision made calls to try to find other interested parties, said the people, who asked not to be identified talking about private conversations. Those included Facebook parent Meta Platforms Inc. and at least one other big company. But no other serious interest materialized."
We don't who the other big company is, but it clearly wasn't as interested in the deal as Microsoft. That probably works out well for us Xbox fans, who can anticipate Activision Blizzard games to come to Game Pass in the future.
Are you happy that Xbox ended up buying Activision? Let us know below.
[source bloomberg.com]
Comments 27
I did notice in the original PR release it said "Microsoft agreed to..." so looks like Activision that wanted to be sold.
That's the thing with these acquisitions that most people seem to forget: Activision Blizzard WANTED to sell. It's not like Microsoft forced them to do anything. It's the same thing with ZeniMax, I believe there were reports stating that they were having financial issues and wanted to sell as well.
If anything, I'm glad that Microsoft bought them instead of Facebook, Google, Tencent or what have you. At least this way they can be given more creative freedom considering e.g. CoD is just the same game every year, workplace culture can be improved since Microsoft is a company that cares about its image a lot, and we consumers will be getting more games on Game Pass, which is available on numerous platforms. This was honestly the best outcome of this whole story.
In light of this, I'm not so upset with MS buying them. It makes much more sense.
See gamers on here have ago about Microsoft buying them. But it could have been someone else and been worse.
At least with Xbox they stay making games and we get lots of games on game pass.
And the face that they wanted to sell, seems crazy why people are having a moan.
So there you go Xbox saved them.
@Dezzy70 will you be getting gamepass again?
@LtSarge I was just thinking about CoD and it’s developers this morning now that Microsoft will be the owner: maybe they can finally spread their wings and do more than just CoD.
Maybe now it won’t be an annual release anymore and can get some fresh new blood working on it.
@LtSarge
Totally agree.
So can all moaning gamers on here and Push Square, please chill and think about it.
@abe_hikura Yep. The same has been the case with Bethesda contrary to what PS Fanboys want you to believe. Microsoft never forcefully buys gaming developers/publishers.
@Chaudy
I never left it in the end, I was being angry at the time and irrational. I do need to show better emotional control, but sometimes it’s hard when you believe in something.
Anyway cheers to game pass.
The most important bits:
"it is incredibly exciting to announce that Microsoft has agreed to acquire Activision Blizzard" = Activision Blizzard wanted to sell, confirmed by today's news.
"Until this transaction closes, Activision Blizzard and Microsoft Gaming will continue to operate independently" + "We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect" = Don't blame me if I can't do anything about Activision Blizzard yet.
"The fantastic franchises across Activision Blizzard will also accelerate our plans for Cloud Gaming, allowing more people in more places around the world to participate in the Xbox community using phones, tablets, laptops and other devices you already own. Activision Blizzard games are enjoyed on a variety of platforms and we plan to continue to support those communities moving forward" = No future games outside Xbox/Windows/Cloud/Game Pass.
Taking a look at the bigger picture I can relax about this acquisition in terms of what I will play on my ps5 as the only game from Activision I care about is overwatch 2 and its still coming.
@Microbius The hypocritical Sony fanboys are ignoring these news as expected.
@Carck I said yesterday to someone on here I play certain games on xbox via gamepass whilst everything else is on playstation due to me collecting my trophies plus my overwatch 1 save is on playstation which carries over to overwatch 2 for my skins and emotes etc
Wait... did people think this was a hostile takeover or something? I mean of course Microsoft would be interested in them as a major gaming platform but Activision is a publicly traded company. If it was a hostile takeover it would have played out similar to what Ubisoft faced a few years ago against Vivendi.
There Vivendi was trying to take control of Ubisoft by force by acquiring the most shares of the company. Ubisoft fought back by buying enough shares themselves along with Tencent and eventually Vivendi backed down. In this case though the board wanted to sell so Microsoft taking over would not be considered hostile.
I know it is easy to hate the big mega-corperation but Microsoft simply was interested, had the means to do so, and had a willing seller. It's as simple as that.
I'd wager that Tencent sensed blood in the water when Activision's stock market price fell, and were circling like sharks as a consequence. With their recent acquisitions I'd be surprised if they weren't interested. Microsoft likely outbid them in the end, which even for those that prefer to game on the PlayStation, was probably in the overall interests of us gamers.
I don't know what Tencent's endgame is (and they are certainly buying up a lot of gaming companies), but I'm not so sure that it will be quite so pro-gamers as Microsoft is...
@Carck so my overwatch 1 save that's I've put over 200 hours into and have over 50 skins don't carry over? Unless they add some cross progression solution in so playstation players can transfer thier account and purchases over to the xbox version
I put about 500 hours into OW on the PC, @UltimateOtaku91, then I began playing OW on the Xbox instead and had to start all over again. Other than having to qualify to play ranked matches again, it's no biggie really, plus it's fun to re-earn all those skins and other items once again. I wouldn't get to hung up on it, matey...
@UltimateOtaku91 ain’t you selling your series S? That’s the nonsense you were coming out with yesterday after the news hit. I kinda wish you would so you could just stay over at PS calling people Xbots instead of coming over here and trying to play both sides.
Anyway on topic I’m sad someone else didn’t buy them, Activision are gash and personally of little value to me. I wouldn’t care if Acti went away and never came back. MS are going make billions more from the acquisition though so it makes sense for them.
@Dezzy70 After how Facebook bought and ruined Oculus, I'm just glad it wasn't them. And let's not forget about Tencent.
@Fiendish-Beaver I wouldn't mind if I got all those skins for free but I must of spent at least £20 a month for a year on the loot boxes (I don't have a gambling problem lol) so I don't want that to go to waste
@InterceptorAlpha
I think they are in good hands with Microsoft overall and we get lots of game pass joy.
Not the first time they wanted to sell either. Back when vivendi owned them, I recall they also were looking for a buyer but Activision Blizzard was so big they never found anyone with big enough pockets. Eventually they self-acquired via I-don’t-know-what-accounting-method and went off on their own.
Microsoft, Tencent, Google, Amazon... is there anyone else who could buy them even if they wanted?? I don't think Sony, Nintendo or Embracer Group can.
Okay, I get that that would be more annoying, @UltimateOtaku91. I never spent real world money on the game on the PC so it wasn't any great loss to me when I switched to playing on the Xbox...
Facebook/Meta would’ve really killed ActiBlizz. Glad it was MS in the end
So.I guess this was what Phil meant that they were reassessing their relationship with Activision-Blizzard a few weeks ago. Phil you sly dog you.
In the end Microsoft is a hero for keeping it from Facebook in my opinion.
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