Mergers and Acquisitions
2 days after EA boss John Riccitiello claimed that the recent fad for videogame company mergers and acquisition was largely over and done with, Blizzard and Activistion have announced that they are merging to form (the imaginatively named) Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $18.8bn.
Yes, $18.8 billion. See what a generic fantasy setting and an army of Chinese gold-farmers will get you these days?
It sounds even scarier when you consider that it really means a merger between Activision and Vivendi (who currently own Blizzard.) My guess of 2017 in the “When will Disney own every atom of the planet” sweepstake is looking more and more like a safe bet.