Microsoft to buy gaming giant Activision Blizzard for US$69bil

A 2014 file photo shows boxes advertising the newest installment to blockbuster video game ‘Call Of Duty’ on display in a GameStop store in New York. Microsoft announced a US$69bil deal to purchase US gaming giant Activision Blizzard, the firm behind hits like ‘Call Of Duty’ that has been hit by allegations of sex discrimination against women. — AFP

NEW YORK: Microsoft announced on Jan 18 a landmark US$69bil (RM288.66bil) deal to buy US gaming giant Activision Blizzard, boosting its power in video games by scooping up the scandal-hit Call Of Duty maker.

Merging with troubled but highly successful Activision will make Microsoft the third-largest gaming company by revenue, behind Tencent and Sony, Microsoft said, a major shift in the booming world of games.