Microsoft completed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October 2023.
The transaction closed on October 13, 2023, after Microsoft received approval from regulators in the United Kingdom. Microsoft had announced the proposed acquisition in January 2022, describing it as a way to strengthen its position in video games and subscription services.
Activision Blizzard brought major franchises into Microsoft’s gaming business, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush. The deal made Activision Blizzard a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft and expanded Microsoft Gaming’s portfolio alongside Xbox and other studios.
The acquisition faced substantial regulatory scrutiny, especially over cloud gaming and competition. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission challenged the deal, while the U.K. Competition and Markets Authority initially opposed it before accepting a restructured transaction. The deal is separate from Microsoft’s earlier purchase of Minecraft maker Mojang.