Microsoft Corp. Jan. 18 announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard Inc., a leader in game development and interactive entertainment content publisher, as it was informed by Microsoft.
Microsoft will acquire Activision Blizzard for $95.00 per share, in an all-cash transaction valued at $68.7 billion, inclusive of Activision Blizzard’s net cash.
When the transaction closes, Microsoft will become the world’s third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony. The planned acquisition includes iconic franchises from the Activision, Blizzard and King studios like “Warcraft,” “Diablo,” “Overwatch,” “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush,” in addition to global eSports activities through Major League Gaming.
The transaction is subject to customary closing conditions and completion of regulatory review and Activision Blizzard’s shareholder approval.
The deal is expected to close in fiscal year 2023. The transaction has been approved by the boards of directors of both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard.
Goldman Sachs & Co. LLC is serving as financial advisor to Microsoft and Simpson Thacher & Bartlett LLP - as its legal counsel. Allen & Company LLC and Activision Blizzard and Skadden, Arps, Slate, Meagher & Flom LLP \are serving as advisers to Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft Corporation is an American multinational technology company with headquarters in Redmond, Washington.
Activision Blizzard, Inc. is an American video game holding company based in Santa Monica, California. The company was founded in July 2008 through the merger of Activision, Inc. (the publicly traded parent company of Activision Publishing) and Viven Games. The value of the franchises owned by the company is estimated at $3 billion.
