One of the world’s largest software companies, Microsoft, has acquired Activision Blizzard, a game developing company with more than 10,000 employees worldwide. In a press release, the company stated that the transaction amounts to $68.7 billion, its largest purchase of this kind.
A $68.7 billion transaction, which involves all cash, will give Microsoft control of franchises like “Call of Duty,” “Candy Crush,” “World of Warcraft,” and “Diablo.” This acquisition will also serve as a building block for the metaverse, according to the company.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated the following about the purchase: “To usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes games safe, inclusive and accessible for all, we’re investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud.”
As a result of the acquisition, Microsoft will gain control of franchises such as “Call of Duty,” “Candy Crush,” “World of Warcraft,” and “Diablo,” which together have more than 400 million active monthly users.
In the meantime, Microsoft is building its own version of its metaverse, Mesh, that will let Microsoft Teams users conduct meetings and chat with online avatars in place of videoconferences, making it more immersive and participatory experience.
There have been a lot of blockchain gaming companies that have presented their views on the metaverse. PWC in Hong Kong, which invested in plots of virtual land in the platform, has gained interest in The Sandbox, a metaverse game featuring NFTs made by users.
This game was developed by Animoca Brands, a company that recently raised $358 million to support web-based projects and construct its metaverse. Animoca Brands, a cryptocurrency and blockchain company, recently has raised $358.8 million in funding to build the open metaverse and bolster the non-fungible token (NFT) market. Animoca Brands has now raised a total of $5 billion from its previous capital raises of $65 million and $138.88 million last year.