Activision Blizzard
| Activision Blizzard | |
|---|---|
 Video game holding company | |
| Type | Subsidiary |
| Traded as | NASDAQ: ATVI (2008–2023) |
| Industry | Video games |
| Founded | July 9, 2008 |
| Headquarters | Santa Monica, California, U.S. |
| Area served | Worldwide |
| Products |
Activision: Call of Duty series Blizzard Entertainment: Diablo series Hearthstone Heroes of the Storm Overwatch StarCraft series Warcraft series King: Candy Crush Saga |
| Divisions |
Activision Blizzard Entertainment Activision Blizzard Studios Major League Gaming King Digital Entertainment |
| Parent |
Microsoft Gaming (2023-present) |
| Website | activisionblizzard.com |
Activision Blizzard (often abbreviated as ABK, K standing for King) is the holding company formed from the merger of Blizzard Entertainment's then-owner Vivendi Games and Activision, the video game producer behind Call of Duty. The merger was finalized on 9 July 2008.[1][2] Vivendi became the majority shareholder of Activision Blizzard[3] with 54% of the stock.[1]
Almost no changes occurred at Blizzard Entertainment, and it and Activision continued to exist as separate entities under the Activision Blizzard umbrella.[4] The holding company did not publish games under its central name and instead uses its subsidiaries to publish games, similar to how Vivendi Games operated before the merger.[5] Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. remains as Blizzard's brand.[6]
History
Split from Vivendi
On 25 July 2013, Activision Blizzard announced that it would purchase 429 million shares from Vivendi for $5.8 billion. This purchase was financed with $1.2 billion of cash that was on hand and $4.6 billion of debt proceeds, leaving them with a $1.4 billion of net debt at the end of the deal in September 2013. An investment group that includes Bobby Kotick and Brian Kelly (who put up $100 million together), as well as Tencent and other partners, purchased 172 million shares for $2.3 billion. This group owned 24.9% of the company, and Vivendi retained ownership of 83 million shares (12%) of the company.[7][8] By 15 January 2016, Vivendi had sold the remainder of its shares.[9]
Microsoft acquisition
On 18 January 2022, Microsoft announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion.[10] The sale was finalized on 13 October 2023.[11] As part of the acquisition, Bobby Kotick announced his resignation as CEO, along with other executives.[12] He departed Activision Blizzard on 29 December 2023.[13]
With this, Activision Blizzard is now a subsidiary of Microsoft Gaming, along side two other groups: Xbox Game Studios and ZeniMax Media.
References
- ^ a b Activision/Vivendi Games Merger Approved: Stockholders support Activision Blizzard venture. Accessed 2010-01-23.
- ^ Karune. 2008-07-10. Activision Blizzard Announcement. Battle.net StarCraft II General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2008-07-19.
- ^ Brendan Sinclair. 2007-12-03. Activision, Vivendi merger reaps positive reactions. Gamespot. Accessed 2008-11-28.
- ^ Activision Blizzard FAQ
- ^ Businessweek. 2010-01-23. Activision Blizzard Inc details.
- ^ Ordinn. 2007-12-02. 0. Activision Blizzard FAQ. WoW General Discussion Forum. Accessed 2007-12-02
- ^ Activision Blizzard Announces Transformative Purchase of Shares from Vivendi and New Capital Structure
- ^ Activision Blizzard Purchases Vivendi's Shares
- ^ Vivendi Sells Its Stake in Activision Blizzard
- ^ Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard to bring the joy and community of gaming to everyone, across every device. Microsoft (2022-01-18).
- ^ Microsoft completes Activision Blizzard acquisition, Call of Duty now part of Xbox
- ^ Eddie Makuch 2023-10-13. Microsoft Officially Acquires Activision Blizzard, Nearly Two Years Later. Gamespot.
- ^ Todd Sangler 2023-12-20. Microsoft Sets New Activision Blizzard Management Structure as Bobby Kotick Confirms Exit Date. Variety.
External links
| ||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||||