Microsoft is apparently not spooked by closing the deal on the unlucky day of Friday the 13th.
Key legal battles took place in the United States and the UK.
Microsoft announced the deal in February 2022.
Microsoft is paying Activision Blizzard $95 per share for the buyout.
Microsoft’s previous biggest acquisition was LinkedIn, which itpaid $26.2 billion to acquire in 2016.
For comparison, Disney bought Lucasfilm and the Star Wars series for $4.05 billion.
As part of the buyout, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is apparently planning to resign.
Other high-ranking Activision Blizzard C-suite executives are leaving, too.
Kotick is reported to be getting a$400 million pay packageon the way out.
Do not expect Activision or Blizzard games to appear on Game Pass today or even soon, though.
“We can’t wait to share more details in the coming months,” Microsoft said.
Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer Statement:
We love gaming.
And today, we officially welcome Activision Blizzard and their teams to Xbox.
It is incredible to welcome such legendary teams to Xbox.
Players have always been at the center of everything we do.
And as we grow, well continue to keep players at the heart of it all.
Well share more about when you could expect to play in the coming months.
We know youre excited and we are too.
Because when everyone plays, we all win.
We believe our news today will unlock a world of possibilities for more ways to play.
Thank you for the ongoing support.
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