https://www.engadget.com/activision-blizzard-now-officially-belongs-to-microsoft-125053787.html
I noted my brief thoughts on this back in January of 2022; I had previously divested myself of Activision Blizzard (ATVI) in July 2021, and was not enthused that Bobby Kotick would remain in his position IF the deal finally closed (since I also happen to own Microsoft shares). I personally feel that Kotick should’ve been terminated for cause, but him being kept on by Phil Spencer at Microsoft Gaming until the end of this year to aide in the transition, speaks volumes that this isn’t happening (and he will thus walk away with his huge bonus). As far as the acquisition amount ($69 billion US), I do believe Microsoft overpaid given the baggage they are also acquiring (but then again, it’s not like Microsoft the total corporation, doesn’t have baggage of its own; though it’s own corporate culture has slowly changed since Nadella became CEO).
No, I do not expect this acquisition to dramatically make over Activision Blizzard and it’s various units (we’re talking about one huge company, acquiring another one; anyone who has been part of these M&A’s know how long it realistically takes to integrate the larger divisions, or even smaller ones where their functions seem duplicative). Blizzard Entertainment itself is a relatively large subsidiary within Activision Blizzard that will more than likely be largely left alone except the Battle.net unit will likely be pulled into Microsoft Gaming’s equivalent group (so as to better integrate with Xbox online/social functionality). My preference would be to see Blizzard Entertainment’s “leadership” completely replaced, but know this realistically is not going to happen.
From Microsoft Gaming’s perspective, their primary focus is getting all of the franchise titles they are getting with this acquisition, to work well with the Xbox Game Pass. I don’t believe the baggage that some of the studios are bringing into the mix, is going to be a top level priority for Microsoft Gaming. Yes, there will eventually be the reorganizations and shufflings that take place in such acquisitions, but that sort of corporate inertia is really slow going (and is stuff that most usually don’t follow anyway unless they care about corporate responsibility/decency; something which is sadly lacking and is magnified in the gaming industry).
