How Microsoft Closed the Activision Blizzard Deal
How Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition closed in 2023, what it cost, when Bobby Kotick left, and how it reshaped Blizzard and WoW.
By:
John Langan
Key Takeaways
- Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard closed on October 13, 2023, roughly 21 months after it was announced, the largest deal in video-game history.
- The deal was announced at $68.7 billion in January 2022; the final value at close was about $75.4 billion after adjustments.
- Bobby Kotick stayed on as CEO reporting to Microsoft Gaming chief Phil Spencer through the end of 2023, then departed on December 29, 2023.
- January 2024 brought about 1,900 Microsoft Gaming layoffs, Blizzard president Mike Ybarra's exit, and Johanna Faries stepping in as Blizzard's new president.
- World of Warcraft has run under Microsoft ownership ever since, shipping expansions from Dragonflight through the current Midnight cycle.
Here is what the acquisition actually settled, how a company founded in 1979 ended up inside Microsoft, and what changed at Blizzard once the ink dried.
The Deal That Closed in October 2023
After a regulatory fight that dragged on for about 21 months, Microsoft's purchase of Activision Blizzard officially closed on October 13, 2023, the same day the UK's competition regulator cleared the revised terms. It was the largest acquisition in the history of the video-game industry, and it was Microsoft's largest deal ever.
The headline price needs a footnote. Microsoft announced the deal in January 2022 at $68.7 billion, or $95 per share. By the time it closed nearly two years later, the final value came in around $75.4 billion once net cash and final adjustments were counted, which is why some outlets rounded it to "$69 billion" and others to "$75 billion." Both figures describe the same deal at different moments.
From 1979 to a $75 Billion Buyout
Activision was not born in 1991. It was founded in 1979 as one of the first third-party developers for the Atari 2600, home of classics like Pitfall. In 1991, an investor group led by Bobby Kotick took control of the then-struggling company, and Kotick ran it for the next three decades.
The modern company came together on July 9, 2008, when Activision merged with Vivendi Games, whose portfolio included Blizzard Entertainment, to form Activision Blizzard. The publisher later added mobile giant King, maker of Candy Crush Saga, in a deal completed in 2016. By the time Microsoft came calling, Activision Blizzard sat on Call of Duty, Diablo, Overwatch, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft, which is exactly why the deal drew so much regulatory attention.
What It Meant for Bobby Kotick
The original headline promised that Kotick would "remain until 2023," and he did. As part of the transition, he stayed on as CEO of Activision Blizzard, reporting to Phil Spencer, the CEO of Microsoft Gaming, through the end of the year. That arrangement was always a bridge, not a permanent seat.
Kotick's last day was December 29, 2023, closing out a 32-year run at the top of the company. His departure cleared the way for Microsoft to fold Blizzard more directly into its gaming structure in the new year.
What Actually Happened Next
The transition turned out to be anything but quiet. In late January 2024, Microsoft Gaming cut about 1,900 roles across Activision Blizzard, Xbox, and ZeniMax. Blizzard president Mike Ybarra left as part of that reshuffle, and Johanna Faries, a former Call of Duty general manager, was named the new president of Blizzard, a move announced on January 29 and effective February 5, 2024.
Players felt the ownership change soon after. Diablo IV became the first Activision Blizzard title added to Xbox Game Pass on March 28, 2024, the clearest sign yet that the two companies were now one. For World of Warcraft specifically, the practical result is simple: the game's publisher is now Microsoft, and WoW has kept shipping under that banner all the way to the live Midnight cycle in 2026.
Seen from a few years out, the acquisition that took 21 months to approve reshaped who owns some of the biggest names in gaming, WoW included. For the full corporate record, the deal is documented in detail on the Microsoft-Activision acquisition page.
Frequently Asked Questions
When did Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard close?
The deal closed on October 13, 2023, about 21 months after Microsoft announced it in January 2022. The final clearance came from the UK's Competition and Markets Authority the same day.
How much did Microsoft pay for Activision Blizzard?
The deal was announced at $68.7 billion, or $95 per share, in January 2022. Its final value at close was around $75.4 billion after net cash and adjustments, making it the largest acquisition in video-game history.
Did Bobby Kotick stay after the acquisition?
Only briefly. Kotick remained CEO of Activision Blizzard through the end of 2023, reporting to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, then departed on December 29, 2023, ending a 32-year tenure.
Who runs Blizzard now?
Johanna Faries became president of Blizzard, announced on January 29, 2024 and effective February 5, 2024. She previously served as general manager of the Call of Duty franchise.
Are Blizzard games on Xbox Game Pass?
Yes. Diablo IV was the first Activision Blizzard title added to Game Pass, on March 28, 2024, and more titles followed as Microsoft integrated the catalog.
What did the acquisition mean for World of Warcraft?
WoW's publisher is now Microsoft. The game itself kept its development cadence, shipping expansions from Dragonflight through the current Midnight cycle under Microsoft ownership.
Last reviewed 2026-07-20 against Patch 10.1.7 Fury Incarnate. Maintained by WowCarry's WoW team.