LogIn"This has been a longer journey than expected."
Image credit: Activision Blizzard | Overwatch 2
Addressing Microsoft's recent decision to sell the cloud streaming rights for Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft, Activision's CEO Bobby Kotick shared a message with the studio's employees, saying nothing would change for the team.
In case you missed it, Microsoft is going to give cloud rights for Activision's existing and upcoming games to Ubisoft, trying to make the UK regulator the CMA agree to its $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. For now, the deal is blocked and the CMA is investigating the new contract. More about it here.
Kotick sent a message to Activision's workers, explaining the company's position and saying that the "merger agreement with Microsoft, closing deadline, and the cash consideration to be paid" all stay the same. The studio will help Microsoft "clear any final hurdles" with the CMA.
Here is what he said (thanks, PocketGamer):
"To address the UK CMA’s concerns regarding cloud streaming, Microsoft announced it filed a new merger application in the UK that includes a divestiture for cloud streaming rights at closing with respect to current and new PC and console games. We welcome Microsoft's decision to enter into this agreement and submit a new application to the CMA, which Microsoft believes will address the CMA’s concerns.
For us, nothing substantially changes with the addition of this divestiture: our merger agreement with Microsoft, closing deadline, and the cash consideration to be paid for each Activision Blizzard share at closing remain the same. We will continue to work closely with Microsoft and the CMA throughout the remaining review process, and we are committed to help Microsoft clear any final hurdles as quickly as possible.
On that note, our integration management team is hard at work to ensure we are prepared for a smooth close. It’s a major, cross-functional, collaborative effort, and I am thankful for all the work that’s being done."
"This has been a longer journey than expected," he concludes, and this is an understatement. Microsoft has been fighting with anti-monopoly organizations (and players' concerns) since the beginning of 2022 when it announced its plans to buy Activision. Hopefully, this situation will be resolved soon.
Find Kotick's words here and join our 80 Level Talent platform and our Telegram channel, follow us on Threads, Instagram, Twitter, and LinkedIn, where we share breakdowns, the latest news, awesome artworks, and more.