Quote:Since the day the merger was announced, Vivendi and Activision Games have finally completed all the transactions required to become Activision Blizzard. In a press release that was sent out recently, Activision Blizzard is touted as the "world's most profitable pure-play online and console game publisher."

Sounds like a pretty big claim, but we can see why with Activision Blizzard shares currently at US$ 27.50. However, it's not all about the profits. Robert Kotick, President and CEO of Activision Blizzard explained that the merging opens up a lot of possibilities in the gaming industry for the two companies:

By combining leaders in mass-market entertainment and subscription-based online games, Activision Blizzard has leading market positions across all categories of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry.

As it stands right now, Vivendi (who owns Blizzard) is now a subsidiary of Activision, and currently owns 295.3 shares of Activision stock. Vivendi will also buy 62.6 million shares in the future, and will end up laying claim on 52 percent of Activision stocks.

What can we expect from the newly-formed Activision Blizzard then? As we have stated previously, there are the much-awaited titles such as Diablo 3, World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King, and even Guitar Hero. But will they also try and merge two of their franchises, perhaps? We're still waiting for our Guitar Hero meets World of Warcraft game, Actizard.

theGrim Wrote:The only thing that really sucks about this is now Blizzard games will have the tag "Activision Blizzard" attached to them. Which doesn't really sound as good, or cool, as Blizzard Entertainment.

But, whatever. It's all about the games right? As long as they release D3 I'm going to be happy.

Twin-Skies Wrote:Activision's PR dudes have repeatedly stated that they won't be meddling with how Blizzard currently runs their games.

theGrim Wrote:

Twin-Skies Wrote:Activision's PR dudes have repeatedly stated that they won't be meddling with how Blizzard currently runs their games.

What a great decision. It takes years of really good work to get to where Blizzard currently is reputation-wise, and only one small fuck-up by any outsider trying to snag some level of control in the creative or production process to ruin all that.

Activision has its own massively successful titles to worry about, so keeping their heads on straight while combining financial muscle and market reach should really be good for business.

Twin-Skies Wrote:

theGrim Wrote:The only thing that really sucks about this is now Blizzard games will have the tag "Activision Blizzard" attached to them. Which doesn't really sound as good, or cool, as Blizzard Entertainment.

But, whatever. It's all about the games right? As long as they release D3 I'm going to be happy.

Based on what I've read so far, it was actually Blizz, not parent company Vivendi, calling the shots on the merger. That would explain the name even if it was Vivendi that's technically merging with Activision.

Activision's PR dudes have repeatedly stated that they won't be meddling with how Blizzard currently runs their games. While it's all good, I wish they would even a little. They own the licensing for Guitar Hero after all, and the WoW fans would kill to get an actualy bard class in-game, as Blizz had joked about last April 1.

Black Dragon Wrote:Serously though, first Square Enix, then Bandai Namco, now this?
Titans are forming together to become Voltron!

theGrim Wrote:

Black Dragon Wrote:Serously though, first Square Enix, then Bandai Namco, now this?
Titans are forming together to become Voltron!

With the price of oil going up, it ain't cheap to make games.