- Founded: 1979 (Activision), merged with Blizzard in 2008
- 2022 Revenue: $7.53 billion (last full year as public company)
- Employees: Approximately 9,500 (prior to Microsoft acquisition)
- Acquired by Microsoft: October 13, 2023 for $68.7 billion
- Fortune 500 Rank: Joined in 2017 as third gaming company ever listed
Activision Blizzard, Inc. operated as one of the largest video game holding companies in the world before its acquisition by Microsoft. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, the company developed and published interactive entertainment for consoles, PCs, and mobile devices.
The company owned three major divisions: Activision Publishing, Blizzard Entertainment, and King Digital Entertainment. Its game portfolio included some of the most successful franchises in gaming history. Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and Candy Crush generated billions in annual revenue across platforms worldwide.
Activision Blizzard History
Activision Blizzard Co-founders
Activision Blizzard Competitors
Activision Blizzard competed with major publishers across console, PC, and mobile gaming markets. The company faced competition from both traditional publishers and emerging free-to-play developers. Companies like Nintendo and Sony also competed in the broader gaming ecosystem.
| Company | Headquarters | Key Franchises |
|---|---|---|
| Electronic Arts | Redwood City, California | FIFA, Madden NFL, Battlefield |
| Take-Two Interactive | New York, New York | Grand Theft Auto, NBA 2K, Red Dead |
| Ubisoft | Montreuil, France | Assassin’s Creed, Far Cry, Watch Dogs |
| Epic Games | Cary, North Carolina | Fortnite, Unreal Engine |
| Sony Interactive Entertainment | San Mateo, California | God of War, Spider-Man, The Last of Us |
| Nintendo | Kyoto, Japan | Mario, Zelda, Pokemon |
| Tencent Games | Shenzhen, China | Honor of Kings, PUBG Mobile |
| NetEase | Hangzhou, China | Fantasy Westward Journey, Naraka |
| Riot Games | Los Angeles, California | League of Legends, Valorant |
| Zynga | San Francisco, California | Words With Friends, FarmVille |
Activision Blizzard Revenue
Activision Blizzard generated $7.53 billion in revenue during 2022, its last full year as a public company. The company peaked at $8.8 billion in 2021 during the COVID-19 pandemic gaming surge.
Digital sales dominated Activision Blizzard revenue, representing over 80% of total income. Call of Duty remained the top revenue driver for Activision, while World of Warcraft and Hearthstone led Blizzard’s contribution. King’s Candy Crush franchise delivered consistent mobile revenue.
Activision Blizzard Acquisitions
Activision Blizzard grew through strategic acquisitions that expanded its gaming portfolio and market reach. The company targeted studios with proven franchises and emerging mobile platforms.
The 2008 merger between Activision and Vivendi Games created Activision Blizzard for approximately $18.9 billion. This deal combined Activision’s console strength with Blizzard Entertainment’s PC dominance. The merger gave Activision access to World of Warcraft, which had over 12 million subscribers at its peak. Vivendi held majority ownership until 2013 when Activision Blizzard repurchased 429 million shares for $5.83 billion to become independent.
King Digital Entertainment represented Activision Blizzard’s largest standalone acquisition at $5.9 billion in February 2016. King brought Candy Crush Saga and 474 million monthly active users to the company’s portfolio. This purchase transformed Activision Blizzard into a mobile gaming powerhouse and created one of the largest gaming networks worldwide with over 500 million combined users.
Activision Blizzard acquired Major League Gaming in January 2016 for $46 million to strengthen its esports position. The company also built internal studios through smaller acquisitions and established Activision Blizzard Studios in 2015 for film and television production. The company operated subsidiary studios including Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games, and Toys for Bob under its Activision Publishing division.
Activision Blizzard Marketcap
Activision Blizzard reached a market capitalization of approximately $73 billion before its acquisition by Microsoft. The company traded on NASDAQ under the ticker ATVI from 2008 until October 2023.
FAQs
Who owns Activision Blizzard now?
Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard after completing its $68.7 billion acquisition on October 13, 2023. The company operates under Microsoft Gaming alongside Xbox Game Studios.
When was Activision Blizzard founded?
Activision Blizzard formed in July 2008 through the merger of Activision, Inc. and Vivendi Games. Activision originally started in 1979 as the first independent video game developer.
What games does Activision Blizzard own?
Activision Blizzard owns Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, StarCraft, Candy Crush, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, and Hearthstone among other franchises.
How much did Microsoft pay for Activision Blizzard?
Microsoft paid $68.7 billion in an all-cash deal at $95 per share. The total transaction cost reached approximately $75.4 billion, making it the largest gaming acquisition ever.
Where is Activision Blizzard headquartered?
Activision Blizzard maintains its headquarters in Santa Monica, California. Blizzard Entertainment operates from Irvine, California while King is based in Stockholm, Sweden.