Activision Blizzard is a new company created by the merger between Activision, Inc. and French conglomerate Vivendi. The company will publish online and console video games.
Quotes
This $18.9 billion deal will create the world's largest computer games company, which will attempt to overtake current market leader Electronic Arts.Guardian Unlimited: "Computer game giant born in £9bn deal" (December 3, 2007)
A profile of Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick, whose stake in the new company is estimated at around $310 million.Los Angeles Times: "On top of his game" (December 3, 2007)
Statement from Jean-Bernard Levy, Vivendi Chief Executive: "By combining Vivendi's games business with Activision, we are creating a worldwide leader in a high-growth industry."BBC News: Video game giants in $18bn merger (December 2, 2007)
References
Fast Facts
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Fact:
Activision CEO Bobby Kotick will stay on as CEO of Activision Blizzard
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Fact:
Blizzard Entertainment, a game publisher owned by Vivendi, is responsible for the World of Warcraft series
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Recent Activision games include
Guitar Hero III Legends of Rock, Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare and True Crime: New York City -
Fact:
Vivendi was known as Vivendi Universal from 2000 until the 2006 sale of Universal Studios to GE -
Fact:
Vivendi began life as a water company in 1853
