Microsoft expands its gaming, esports, and metaverse efforts with Activision Blizzard takeover

Microsoft is paying $68.7 billion to acquire video game developer Activision Blizzard, acquiring control of some of the world’s most popular esports titles and broadening its metaverse ambitions. This will go down in gaming history as one of the greatest acquisitions. They will even outperform Microsoft’s headline-grabbing US$7.5 billion deal with ZeniMax Media in 2021 with this new agreement.

Learn about the most recent esports developments, such as FIFA’s new commercial deal that includes specific esports sponsorship rights.

Excitingly, when completed, Microsoft will be the world’s third largest gaming firm in terms of revenue, behind Tencent and Sony. Activision controls some of the world’s most popular video game titles, including World of Warcraft, Diablo, and Call of Duty, as well as publishing the massively successful Overwatch and Starcraft games. Not only that, but in 2016, it acquired the esports organisation Major League Gaming (MLG).

When Candy Crush and CoD become your actual job. Microsoft x Activision Blizzard. 🎮❤️📱https://t.co/nw4cLoaoTB pic.twitter.com/QPGt9DC2jF

— Microsoft (@Microsoft) January 18, 2022

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Activision has been busy developing professional esports contests such as the Overwatch League and the Call of Duty League. Both of which have been funded by celebrities who own traditional sports teams.

According to Activision, there are 400 million active players in 190 countries. Microsoft now intends to add as many titles as possible to its Game Pass subscription service via the cloud on PC, Xbox, and mobile devices. In addition, any future Activision console and PC titles will most likely be exclusive to Microsoft’s platforms.

This huge audience shows a massive potential market for expansion, and Activision’s library will be a significant source of subscriptions that will connect users to Microsoft’s platform. Microsoft has also improved its esports reputation and plans for a metaverse combining various technologies and corporate departments. Furthermore, Activision’s King Studios, the inventors of Candy Crush, will help Microsoft swiftly become a key presence in mobile gaming.

Click here to learn more about FC Barcelona’s esports expansion as it adds League of Legends to its portfolio.

Today, gaming is the most dynamic and engaging kind of entertainment available on any platform. This significant investment in global content, community, and cloud infrastructure will reach new levels of gaming that honors players and creators while making gaming available to everyone. These two parties will work together to create a future in which individuals can play their favourite games almost anywhere.