Well, maybe not small, but Activision Blizzard is now an independent developer after announcing it will break from Vivendi in a deal worth an estimated $8.2 billion. The deal, as reported by the New York Times, has Activision Blizzard buying about 429 million shares and other assets from Vivendi for around $5.83 billion in cash. Current CEO Robert A. Kotick, who bought Activision more than two decades ago, and co-chairman Brian Kelly will remain at the helm of the new independent company. The two current executives along with other investors is also reported to be buying an estimated 172 million shares from Vivendi for around $2.34 billion.
As to what kind of impact this deal will have on the millions of gamers currently playing titles like CoD Black Ops 2, World of Warcraft or Starcraft 2, only time can reveal. Kotick will most likely continue to run the company as he always has, after all he did lead Activision from an almost bankrupt company to the giant game developer it is today. Activision Blizzard is expected to announce an estimated net revenue of around $1.05 billion for the second quarter of 2013.
As a gamer, I can only hope the new found independence will allow Activision Blizzard to become an innovator and start producing content that is new and maybe even risky. While all of the Call of Duty titles are fun to play, they essentially contain the same gameplay elements just dressed differently. As of now the gaming community can only wait and see as to how Activision Blizzard will grow in the years to come.
ManuSLetuM 