Post by: WindyMan on December 02, 2007, 06:51:35 AM
http://www.nintendoworldreport.com/newsArt.cfm?artid=14920
In what may very well be the biggest news story of 2007, Activision and Vivendi Games have jointly announced that they will be joining forces to create Activision Blizzard. Vivendi, which owns Blizzard Entertainment, will have a 52% stake in the newly formed publishing label, making it the controlling shareholder. Vivendi's operations and properties will fall under current Activision management. The transaction, valued at $18.9 billion dollars in stock and cash, will make Activision Blizzard "the world's largest pure-play online and console game publisher," according to the new company.
Activision has been going through its most successful period in its history, seeing record sales and profits due to games like Guitar Hero III, Call of Duty 4, and Tony Hawk's Proving Ground. Vivendi has the Crash Bandicoot and Spyro properties, but is best known for owning Blizzard Entertainment, the juggernaut online games maker. StarCraft, Diablo, and Warcraft are some of the biggest names in gaming, and World of Warcraft is the most successful MMO ever created with 9.3 million subscribers. The release of the long-awaited StarCraft II is also on the horizon.
Robert Kotick, Activision chairman and CEO, says the merger benefits both companies because of their strengths in different areas. "By combining leaders in mass-market entertainment and subscription-based online games, Activision Blizzard will be the only publisher with leading market positions across all categories of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry and reach the broadest possible audiences."
As a result of the Activision Blizzard merger, the new label is expected to have a combined revenue stream of $3.8 billion in 2007, which will be the largest income total for any third-party publisher.
Thanks to lord_die_seis for the news tip!
Post by: Kairon on December 02, 2007, 07:08:26 AM
Post by: AzureNightmare on December 02, 2007, 07:18:13 AM
edit: Holy crapping crap!
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on December 02, 2007, 07:19:37 AM
.........^ActiBlizzion .................^EA
Post by: WindyMan on December 02, 2007, 07:23:13 AM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on December 02, 2007, 07:26:56 AM
edit: The NEW site is up
www.activisionblizzard.com
Post by: The Sailerman on December 02, 2007, 08:43:07 AM
Vivendi owns Universal Music Group, which I believe is the largest music business in the world, and now Activision has full access to their songs!
Post by: ShyGuy on December 02, 2007, 08:46:57 AM
Post by: Kairon on December 02, 2007, 08:50:11 AM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on December 02, 2007, 09:10:23 AM
Artist under UMG including Prince
Post by: Crimm on December 02, 2007, 09:20:02 AM
Post by: that Baby guy on December 02, 2007, 09:39:39 AM
Post by: Galford on December 02, 2007, 09:40:26 AM
Post by: Crimm on December 02, 2007, 10:52:02 AM
Post by: NWR_insanolord on December 02, 2007, 11:39:39 AM
Post by: wulffman04 on December 02, 2007, 11:41:09 AM
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on December 02, 2007, 11:51:37 AM
What Joe Schmoe would recognize Vivendi and associate it to gaming?
Post by: Ceric on December 02, 2007, 12:57:10 PM
Though I could see why they would want to go with Blizzard. It is there most respected name. Where Vivenda and Sierra only have pass glory, which I wish they would polish and resurrect
Post by: nickmitch on December 02, 2007, 01:17:05 PM
Post by: Crimm on December 02, 2007, 01:20:05 PM
Sounds like a BET with activist proposition.
Post by: WuTangTurtle on December 02, 2007, 03:30:58 PM
Post by: Enner on December 02, 2007, 07:40:53 PM
Okay, they'll most likely want to keep that money pool as is.
I'm know I'm in the minority, but I'm hoping that this really does help rather than hinder. Same goes for EA buying Bioware/Pandemic and reading the "don't worry!" interviews from each studio. Indeed I'm not worrying! History will tell the truth and it will be a very long time until it comes. In otherwords, I'm in favor holding over the more brutal negativity until it actually results in bad and/or disappointing games.
Post by: Nick DiMola on December 03, 2007, 02:19:34 AM
Post by: scot00 on December 03, 2007, 02:32:10 AM
But then again I dont count..
-S
Post by: KDR_11k on December 03, 2007, 02:37:03 AM
Quote
Originally posted by: Ceric
I don't think this applies for antitrust simply because you still have competative players in Nintendo, EA, and Ubisoft just to name a few.
Antitrust would be about making sure those companis stay competitive afterwards.
Post by: Stogi on December 03, 2007, 02:41:18 AM
Post by: Ian Sane on December 03, 2007, 05:12:47 AM
Still I wonder if having "Activision Blizzard" on every game is going to hurt Blizzard's reputation since mediocre licenced Activision games are going to be made with the Blizzard name on it. It will be less clear what games are "true" Blizzard titles.
Post by: Enner on December 03, 2007, 05:56:14 AM
Out of respect for all of the decent and good journalists here, please refrain from quoting GameSpot on anything.
-The Management
Alright. Duely noted.
I guess I'm in the wrong for not caring about this issue as much as management does and thinking that this is just a bit touchy on this? My thinking is that it was an interview which was far enough away from any clutchs that stifle opinions and free thought. Anyway, roger that on the GameSpot bannage. Guess I'm just not taking things seriously enough.
ANYWAY!
MEGER! HUGE! WOW!
It'll be interesting to see how this changes the industry landscape. Hopefully this will mean more money for the developers to play around with.
Post by: Ceric on December 03, 2007, 08:21:03 AM
Post by: AzureNightmare on December 03, 2007, 01:27:07 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Enner
Alright. Duely noted.
I guess I'm in the wrong for not caring about this issue as much as management does and thinking that this is just a bit touchy on this? My thinking is that it was an interview which was far enough away from any clutchs that stifle opinions and free thought. Anyway, roger that on the GameSpot bannage. Guess I'm just not taking things seriously enough.
ANYWAY!
MEGER! HUGE! WOW!
It'll be interesting to see how this changes the industry landscape. Hopefully this will mean more money for the developers to play around with.
No problem, you just dont realize the repercussions it has for every hard working, honest member of the gaming press, which is no fault of yours.
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on December 03, 2007, 01:40:29 PM
Post by: Djunknown on December 03, 2007, 02:22:05 PM
Quote
Blactivision...Sounds like a BET with activist proposition.
If they EVER bring back Tavis Smiley, maybe, just maybe... [/off topic]
From Blizzards headline:
Quote
There will be no changes to our games, our websites, our personnel, or our day-to-day operations as a result of the deal. However, this combining of resources will benefit all of the companies involved and will further strengthen Blizzard's ability to continue delivering high-quality content for our players around the world for many years to come. To learn more about this exciting new development, please read our Activision Blizzard FAQ.
So for the time being, there will be no cross pollination on Blizzard's part (having them work on Activision's stuff) yet. Pretty much it sounds similar to EA's treatment of Bioware/Pandemic.
I'm sure EA is kicking itself for not taking Vivendi when they had the chance. But I'm sure it'll even itself out: Bioware has been consistent with releases in the past couple of years, whereas Blizzard has been banking with WoW for the past 3 years...
Just like the EA Bioware/Pandemic deal, this just gives Activision a cut of Blizzard's action and vice versa. Not that Blizzard needed more money, but maybe if Activision cracked the whip to get some of their titles out some before the decade is up. I'd like to play Starcraft 2 and Diablo 3 before I hit my mid-life crisis...
Post by: 18 Days on December 03, 2007, 02:45:00 PM
Post by: Kairon on December 03, 2007, 03:41:25 PM
Post by: GoldenPhoenix on December 03, 2007, 03:44:50 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
DARN. Hey, who owns Neversoft? Darn it. Does Activision own them? They were a neat dev house! Ripe for acquisition! I was eyeing them!
You probably do own them considering all the 3rd party games you buy.
Post by: BlackNMild2k1 on December 03, 2007, 05:12:40 PM
Quote
Originally posted by: Kairon
DARN. Hey, who owns Neversoft? Darn it. Does Activision own them? They were a neat dev house! Ripe for acquisition! I was eyeing them!
I posted this in the other thread too, but I'm not sure how complete/accurate it is.
Vivendi:
Blizzard Entertainment
High Moon Studios (Sierra Entertainment)
Massive Entertainment (Sierra Entertainment)
Radical Entertainment (Sierra Entertainment)
Swordfish Studios (Sierra Entertainment)
Activision:
Beenox
Bizarre Creations
Infinity Ward
Luxoflux Corp
Neversoft
Raven Software
Shaba Games
Toys for Bob
Treyarch
Vicarious Visions
Z-Axis
edited for clarity
Post by: Kairon on December 03, 2007, 05:18:04 PM
