Microsoft and the acquisition of Activision: the official document shows how it was

Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision was not analyzed by the relevant bodies, so the company, as a rule, published an official document summarizing all the events that led to the proposal of the Redmond House, allowing to see how things turned out.

The document published by the Securities and Exchange Commission allows us to obtain a file exact chronology: It’s a pretty heavy read, but it might be interesting to understand how it could be The biggest acquisition in video game history. With the FTC looking into the case, it’s not certain it will pass, also given the recent case of Nvidia and ARM, but the situation between Microsoft and Activision is very different, so it’s hard to make predictions.

In the meantime, it’s interesting to see how the discussions went, not least because a very precise strategy emerged from Phil Spencer. Based on the timing of communications with Activision, it seems quite clear that the Xbox chief intended to exploit a moment of weakness with the publisher so that he could gain access. More favorable deal with more chance of success.

In fact, it looks like Phil Spencer has reached out to Bobby Kotik Three days After the revelation of the famous scandal in which the head of Activision was implicated in an abuse case, which was reported by the Wall Street Journal. Practically one day after Phil Spencer reported it He wanted to “re-evaluate” the relationship Between Microsoft and Activision (we even published files This news is in this link), the call came between Spencer and Kotik for a potential takeover.

In fact, it was definitely a file Undoubtedly “reassessing” relationships. In such a case, Activision Blizzard was clearly more inclined to go ahead with the acquisition, and above all, investors might have found the prospect of an overall management change more positive, with a planned exit for Kotick.

In Spencer’s phone call, the Xbox chief appears to have discussed “Strategic Opportunities Between Activision Blizzard and Microsoft reported Possible link Satya Nadella The next day, which is actually Saturday event With a formal takeover proposal, which sparked a series of discussions between companies.

Another interesting element that has emerged is the fact that Activision Blizzard is already in contact with four other companies for a possible takeover, but these are not explicitly mentioned in the document, which refers to these companies simply as “A, C, D, and E”. Among the intriguing elements is the assertion that Microsoft will have to pay between $2 and $3 billion in damages if the takeover is banned by Organs’ antitrust bodies, but it also becomes clear that if Activision shareholders vote against the takeover, de Kotick will do so. . Pay Microsoft $2.27 billion.

The process will be complicated, but it looks like Microsoft is ready to move mountains to get giant Activision Blizzard at Xbox Game Studios.

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