Microsoft has released an emotional trailer to celebrate its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, showcasing the wealth of games now owned by Xbox. The trailer features some of the biggest franchises in video games, including World of Warcraft, Call of Duty, Diablo, and Crash Bandicoot. It also highlights the existing franchises that Xbox already owned, such as Halo, Fallout, and Forza. The acquisition is the largest deal in gaming history, costing $68.7 billion and is seen as a major move by Microsoft in expanding its gaming portfolio.
The trailer serves as a welcoming gesture from Xbox to Activision, Blizzard, and mobile publisher King. It includes cutscenes from games like World of Warcraft, emphasizing the sense of belonging and unity. The message portrayed throughout the trailer is that these companies are now part of the Xbox family, with Tychus Findlay from Starcraft stating, “Activision, Blizzard, [and] King join the Xbox family. It’s about time.”
In addition to the acquisition, other news surrounding the announcement includes the confirmation that controversial Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will remain in his position until the end of 2023. This decision was apparently influenced by Xbox boss Phil Spencer, who requested Kotick to stay on as CEO until the end of the year. The acquisition marks a significant milestone for Microsoft, solidifying its position in the gaming industry and diversifying its game offerings.
