Microsoft acquires Activision-Blizzard

[FreeKnight]

Source

Big news in gaming, MS bought Activision Blizzard. We'll see if the move pays off for MS, they've had a mixed history with acquisitions, but there's no denying Activision-Blizzard is a powerhouse in gaming, even if I don't play any of their games myself.

Still more curious to see how the Bethesda and Oblivion acquisitions play out, but this is big news for COD gamers, Diablo and Overwatch fans, etc.

 

[Sagath]

Even more interesting is the current environment at A-B and how that will impact both the acquisition and post-merger.

It must have been in the works for some time though, so it was probably factored in to the share price.

 

[anabioz]

They should bring back "Call of Duty 4"...

 

[clshades]

I don't know what to think about this... Cheaters being the biggest problem in all the Activision games for years, and the most hacked OS in history combined....

 

[Shadowarez]

would they still let activision touch the games cause wasn't that the 2nd in line for worst pos game dev / publisher in history? like EA is obliviously #1 for that title.

 

[FreeKnight]

Even more interesting is the current environment at A-B and how that will impact both the acquisition and post-merger.

It must have been in the works for some time though, so it was probably factored in to the share price.

The embattled Activision CEO still retains his position which I thought was an odd concession by MS. I'm assuming he'll gracefully retire/be-retired in the near future.

MS is paying a notable premium on the AB shares and this actually caused MS's shares to dip (not that one day fluctuations matter necessarily). I'll be curious to see the direction the push AB for the next few years. Maybe some Diablo spin offs and probably lots of cross-company content (Overwatch skins in Halo, etc)

 

[Marzipan]

I hope they turf current management to get out from under that cloud of misogyny and sexual harassment. it would put them in a very favorable light.

 

[Shadowarez]

$68.3 Billion has to be wrong thats insane ><

 

[Sagath]

$68.3 Billion has to be wrong thats insane ><

$95/share buyout, market Cap 63 bill..

Opening was $85/share, currently trading at ~$81/share. Close friday (it didnt trade yesterday, assuming due to the merger) was $61/share.

A hefty 50% bonus per share...Not sure what makes a hostile takeover, but this sure feels like it. Although the (pre-sexual garbage) high was $101/share.

 

[Shadowarez]

oooph well can only hope they do better then Blizz / activision did wonder how this will affect WoW as that was the $$$$ Maker.