# Microsoft reportedly buying Activision Blizzard **URL:** \ **Category:** The Game Room\ **Created:** [January 18, 2022, 1:30pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992 "2022-01-18T13:30:55Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 5
**Author:** ![wolfman](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/w/a8b319/32.png) [@wolfman](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/wolfman)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 9:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/81 "2022-01-31T21:04:09Z")
That is possible. They do have rumors of a shinny new IP they have been working on since Destiny 2 dropped in 2017. Maybe Sony decided it’s gone be good and will fill a need for them. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [January 31, 2022, 9:10pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/82 "2022-01-31T21:10:00Z")
Sony CEO says [more acquisitions on the way.](https://www.ign.com/articles/sony-playstation-more-acquisitions-coming-after-bungie) Looks like they’re definitely looking to play catchup. ---
**Author:** ![SenorBeef](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/senorbeef/32/2220_2.png) [@SenorBeef](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/SenorBeef)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 12:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/83 "2022-02-01T00:45:42Z")
If this becomes an arms race of buying up all the middle-tier publishers and developers that’s probably going to be bad for gamers. Of course I hate artificial/marketing exclusivity in gaming and it seems like that’s what this is going to be about. At least Microsoft has a pretty cool philosophy now - all their xbox stuff comes to PC and to gamepass, so really, Microsoft buying up tons of stuff benefits me personally, but there’s too much centralization in the gaming industry already. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 1:42am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/84 "2022-02-01T01:42:44Z")
> [@SenorBeef](#): > > At least Microsoft has a pretty cool philosophy now - all their xbox stuff comes to PC and to gamepass, so really, Microsoft buying up tons of stuff benefits me personally, but there’s too much centralization in the gaming industry already. Same with me. My Game Pass keeps getting more valuable with each acquisition. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 3:46am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/85 "2022-02-01T03:46:22Z")
> [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > I did rather enjoy Myth back in the day. Oh man…Myth is one of my favorite games ever. So, so good. ---
**Author:** ![Chronos](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/chronos/32/134_2.png) [@Chronos](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Chronos)\ **Post date:** [February 1, 2022, 10:34pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/86 "2022-02-01T22:34:56Z")
I never played the original Myth, but Myth II was amazing. ---
**Author:** ![Whack-a-Mole](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/whack-a-mole/32/141_2.png) [@Whack-a-Mole](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Whack-a-Mole)\ **Post date:** [March 10, 2022, 7:59pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/87 "2022-03-10T19:59:53Z")
A twist in the story: > **[Report: SEC investigating Activision Blizzard investors for insider trading](https://arstechnica.com/gaming/2022/03/report-sec-investigating-activision-blizzard-investors-for-insider-trading/)** > > Fresh investor lawsuit also alleges conflicts of interest in merger decision. ---
**Author:** ![Smid](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/838e76/32.png) [@Smid](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Smid)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2022, 1:58pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/88 "2022-03-15T13:58:46Z")
Well, I am less bothered by Activision now, I used to play WOW but last expansion was the worst one, worse than Cataclysm, so not going back. However, I remember them buying Rareware about 20 years ago, and erm, some kinnect games, Grabbed by the Ghoulies, one Banjo Kazooie game later, and they’re a MMO company with Sea of Thieves which I have absolutely no interest in. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2022, 7:53pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/89 "2022-03-15T19:53:44Z")
> [@Smid](#): > > Sea of Thieves I tried that game. It was so boring. ---
**Author:** ![Max\_S](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/m/46a35a/32.png) [@Max\_S](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Max_S)\ **Post date:** [March 15, 2022, 7:57pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/90 "2022-03-15T19:57:01Z")
Having played _Pirates of the Caribbean Online_ as a child, I thought _Sea of Thieves_ was really cool. They used to have a Pirates of the Caribbean immersive video game at Disney Quest which involved you & friends getting on a ship prop and manning a prop cannon that interacted with a big projection display. That was the coolest thing. But never got into Sea of Thieves for some reason. I’ve thought about it from time to time but only ever did the tutorial. ~Max ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [April 26, 2023, 2:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/91 "2023-04-26T14:13:24Z")
Bump. The inevitable antitrust holdup has occurred. In this case, in the UK. > **[Microsoft and Activision Blizzard hit out as UK regulator blocks takeover](https://www.bbc.com/news/entertainment-arts-65378617)** > > The maker of hit games Call of Duty and Candy Crush says "the UK is clearly closed for business". ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [June 22, 2023, 5:27pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/92 "2023-06-22T17:27:14Z")
The FTC is also opposing the merger, and is seeking an injunction to temporarily halt the deal while they pursue longer-term enforcement. > **[Microsoft faces off against US government over Activision deal, with top...](https://www.cnn.com/2023/06/22/tech/microsoft-activision-ftc/index.html)** > > Microsoft and the video game giant Activision Blizzard will face off Thursday against the US government in a high-stakes battle over one of the largest technology acquisitions in history. ---
**Author:** ![flurb](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/f/51bf81/32.png) [@flurb](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/flurb)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 6:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/93 "2023-07-11T18:03:40Z")
And the judge has lifted the temporary injunction and is allowing the merger to move forward, having found that the FTC had not demonstrated that it would likely win an anti-trust action against Microsoft and Blizzard. The FTC could still proceed with a trial in August but is unlikely to do so. Microsoft and Blizzard could close the deal as soon as this week. > **[Judge rejects FTC’s attempt to block Microsoft’s $69 billion Activision deal](https://www.washingtonpost.com/technology/2023/07/11/microsoft-activision-ftc-decision/)** > > A federal judge ruled on the government's case to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision, a closely watched suit widely seen as a bellwether of the Biden administration’s ambition to rein in Big Tech. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [July 11, 2023, 6:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/94 "2023-07-11T18:38:23Z")
And the market contracts further. I suppose I have the same opinion I had 18 months ago. > [@Johnny\_Bravo](#): > > I can’t see this purchase making ActBlizz **more** disappointing than they already and consistently are. ---
**Author:** ![Johnny\_Bravo](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/johnny_bravo/32/493_2.png) [@Johnny\_Bravo](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Johnny_Bravo)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 8:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/95 "2023-10-13T20:42:02Z")
> **[Microsoft completes Activision Blizzard acquisition, Call of Duty now part of...](https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/13/23791235/microsoft-activision-blizzard-acquisition-complete-finalized)** > > The deal has closed after 20 months of legal battles. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/96 "2023-10-13T21:28:17Z")
> [@Cervaise](#): > > Maybe they can buy out Bobby Kotick and kick that jackwagon to the curb. As @Cervaise (and others) have hoped, closure of the deal puts Kotick on a countdown to depart the company (with a very golden parachute). > **[Bobby Kotick will stay at Activision Blizzard until the end of 2023](https://www.theverge.com/2023/10/13/23915559/activision-blizzard-ceo-steps-down-kotick-microsoft)** > > Phil Spencer is Bobby Kotick’s new boss, for now at least. He’s gone as of the beginning of next year with $375 million. ---
**Author:** ![Atamasama](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/atamasama/32/12961_2.png) [@Atamasama](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Atamasama)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:39pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/97 "2023-10-13T21:39:05Z")
> [@gnoitall](#): > > He’s gone as of the beginning of next year with $375 million. My heart bleeds for his hardship. ---
**Author:** ![gnoitall](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/g/bb73d2/32.png) [@gnoitall](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/gnoitall)\ **Post date:** [October 13, 2023, 9:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992/98 "2023-10-13T21:42:02Z")
If that’s what it takes to get his diseased paws off the primary game that I play, it’s money well spent. But I have to worry he’s going to go off and find some other going concern to infest. [Previous page](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/microsoft-reportedly-buying-activision-blizzard/957992.md?page=4)