"Microsoft's Impending Acquisition of Activision: What It Means for 'Call of Duty' and Xbox"

Microsoft is nearing a deal to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, pending approval from UK regulators. As part of the restructured deal, Microsoft would not purchase Activision's cloud gaming rights, which would be sold to Ubisoft instead. Activision President Rob Kostich believes that the merger would benefit the "Call of Duty" franchise by leveraging Microsoft's development resources. Kostich sees the deal as an "extraordinary opportunity" but acknowledges the need to allow the regulatory process to run its course.