Microsoft set to buy Activision Blizzard for $68 billion

Microsoft is set to acquire gaming industry giant Activision Blizzard. Activision Blizzard is one of the most renowned game developers and publishers in the industry, responsible for franchises including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and StarCraft.

Microsoft is set to pay an eye-watering $68.7 billion for the acquisition of the company. 

“As a company, Microsoft is committed to our journey for inclusion in every aspect of gaming, among both employees and players,” Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said in a statement. 

“We deeply value individual studio cultures. We also believe that creative success and autonomy go hand-in-hand with treating every person with dignity and respect. We hold all teams, and all leaders, to this commitment. We’re looking forward to extending our culture of proactive inclusion to the great teams across Activision Blizzard.”

Microsoft has also stated that they intend to offer as many Activision Blizzard games as they can on Xbox and PC Game Pass. 

These will be pre-existing Activision Blizzard games as well as, moving forward, new games still in development. Microsoft also announced that the game pass has surpassed 25 million subscribers.