Remember when news broke that Vivendi was thinking of selling Activision Blizzard? Seems Microsoft is among those tipped to pick up the Call of Duty household's cheque.
A Reuters source reports that the heavily debt-laden Vivendi is "testing the waters" by proxy. "It's nothing official yet, but they've asked a bank to go and talk to possible buyers for Activision."
The Reuters insider expressed reservations as to the likelihood of Microsoft agreeing to such a deal, with next generation consoles in the offing. "They probably don't want to distract themselves too much, but they are the ones who, if they want to stay in games, would think about owning some of these big franchises, not just providing the consoles."
Activision, of course, enjoys a very close relationship with Microsoft and Xbox 360 already, having signed over early access to countless Call of Duty DLC packs. Could the two become closer still? We/I approached the mighty Jon "OXM Editor" Hicks for insights.
Among other things, Jonty has this to say: "I can't see it working inasmuch as they couldn't just buy it up and say, 'right all Activision games are Xbox exclusive'. Because they're buying a stake rather than individual studios, you'd be wiping huge value off the company. It's not like 'Activision buys Treyarch'." He also points out that Nintendo and Sony would probably "get leery" about a rival console manufacturer involving itself with the production of multiplatform games.
What are your thoughts?
9 comments so far...
msbhvn on 11 Jul '12 said:
I don't think MS are interested in buying a big-time publisher. It would be a good thing if they did, but I don't see it happening.
I'd buy tickets to watch Bobby Kotick get fired, though.
Bezza89 on 11 Jul '12 said:
Could go two ways; MS buy them and make it their own gaming division, raking in millions from multiplatform titles and exclusives, rehiring/structuring staff, firing Booby Kotick. Or they could buy them and keep it as is - but either ms make everything exclusive - which wouldn't happen because it's way too much of a money maker, or or keep as is again which I can't see either as Activision are pretty retarded in their making of games. (You've not sold 20 million in a week? Your game is pants, you're pants, you're shit, you're fired.)
Of course there's option 3, bullship. Nothing happens, CoD monopolises until its inevitable downfall to the ironic game 'Kofi Annan Attack: diplomatic justice'. (That's a great name actually).
CunningSmile on 11 Jul '12 said:
I'd buy that Koffi Annan game, should be cool
Bezza89 on 11 Jul '12 said:
My thinking was you'd send out Kofi Annan bots - called Ko-nans - along with peace envoys and have to sort out political struggles etc, with the online component being that you'd tap into real life Ko-nan bots on peace envoys and actually sort out political struggles.
Those without an online pass can only agree to everything though.
LoL seriously - MS buying Activision... not sure what I'd do if true. We all hate Acti... would things change?
CunningSmile on 11 Jul '12 said:
MS aren't too bad as a publisher, they did bring us the original Mass Effect and Viva Piñata after all. However it could just end up with CoD being a kinect game and everyone stopping buying it...so no real down side then
STE MO on 11 Jul '12 said:
Question to anyone: is it Activision or Activision Blizzard they vivendi are selling? If it is Acti Bliz then they have the added bonus of WOW, Starcraft and Diablo which are all huge sellers and would, for me tip the balance in favour of buying. Otherwise it's just CoD which is on a downward spiral, for me anyway
Aimeelove on 12 Jul '12 said:
Excellent review, I couldn't agree more.http://www.hbing.info/g.gif
fuhuayal on 12 Jul '12 said:
LoL seriously - MS buying Activision... not sure what I'd do if true. We all hate Acti... would things change?
http://www.keyforex.info/g.gif
steve_2003 on 12 Jul '12 said:
well, if it does go through and Microsoft pick up a bulk share of Activision, then stuff Call of Duty!
I want the next-generation Xbox to have exclusive new versions of River Raid, Pitfall and Kaboom!