Microsoft Bets Big on Gaming With Record-Breaking Activision Blizzard Acquisition

Abstract

Microsoft launched itself near the top of the gaming industry when it announced in January 2022 its plans to purchase gaming giant Activision Blizzard for USD 69 billion—the priciest acquisition in the company’s history. It is a huge investment in the future of gaming and in the metaverse for Microsoft, and it comes at a good time for Activision Blizzard, which has been struggling to move past employee walkouts and leadership shakeups following allegations of a toxic and criminal workplace culture. Students are asked to evaluate the strategy behind Microsoft’s acquisition, how both companies will be affected, and what this forecasts for the gaming and tech industries.

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