Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard on 13 October 2023, bringing the publisher behind Call of Duty, World of Warcraft and Candy Crush into its gaming business.
The closing filing confirms that Activision Blizzard became a wholly owned Microsoft subsidiary. Eligible outstanding shares were converted into the right to receive US$95 each in cash.
Microsoft had announced the agreement in January 2022 at a transaction value of US$68.7 billion, inclusive of Activision Blizzard’s net cash. That is the announced deal valuation, rather than a final accounting purchase price.
Cloud rights go to Ubisoft
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority cleared a restructured transaction on 13 October after blocking the original proposal. The change places Activision’s cloud-streaming rights outside the European Economic Area with Ubisoft, covering existing PC and console games and new releases over the next 15 years.
The regulator said Ubisoft could license the content through different business models, including multigame subscriptions. Microsoft also gave undertakings allowing the CMA to enforce the terms of the rights sale.
Game Pass additions still to come
Xbox chief Phil Spencer said work was beginning to bring Activision, Blizzard and King games to Game Pass and other platforms, with timing to be shared in the coming months.
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