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[XXL]

The deal was first announced back in 2022, but it was not a simple process. From the announcement, the acquisition was subject to intense scrutiny, which saw legal proceedings, investigations and revelations all come to the fore over an almost two year period.

Finally, on 13th October 2023, the deal was signed off. "As one team, we'll learn, innovate, and continue to deliver on our promise to bring the joy and community of gaming to more people," Xbox boss Phil Spencer said at the time.

Much has changed in the 12 months since.

Most notably, perhaps, we have unfortunately seen a devastating number of layoffs across Microsoft, including its gaming divisions, and Activision Blizzard studios. In January of this year, the company announced it was laying off 1900 people across its video game teams, including Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax and Xbox, equating to approximately eight percent of its gaming workforce.

Of course, the addition of Activision Blizzard to Xbox includes the platform holder now owning Call of Duty, instantly making Microsoft one of the biggest third-party publishers on PlayStation. But Xbox has gone further this year already, and introduced some of its other first-party games to additional platforms. In February, Microsoft confirmed it would be bringing four previously Xbox-exclusive first-party titles to PlayStation 5 and Switch.

It's been 12 months since Microsoft purchased Activision Blizzard, so what's changed?

It has been one year since Microsoft finally acquired Activision Blizzard for $68.7bn, making history as the biggest company buyout in the video games industry

www.eurogamer.net

 

[BennyBlanco]

Only tangible thing I’ve noticed is Overwatch advertising gamepass in game, which seems weird in a f2p game

 

[XXL]

 

[XXL]

Only tangible thing I’ve noticed is Overwatch advertising gamepass in game, which seems weird in a f2p game

Did you read the article?

There is many more "tangible" things going on than Overwatch advertising Gamepass.

 

[KungFucius]

I am still surprised that more ABK games are not on Gamepass. Clearly they are trying to use adding games for marketing purposes, but FFS they just jacked the price a second time so now is the time to give GPers that added value.

 

[clarky]

Do you spend all day posting about about how awesome sony is and how shit Xbox is?


While there may be some truth to that who gives a shit? Get a life mate.

 

[Radical_3d]

RetroGamingUK‘d.​

 

[Cornbread78]

Do you spend all day posting about about how awesome sony is and how shit Xbox is?


While there may be some truth to that who gives a shit? Get a life mate.