GameLegend
12-03-2007, 09:53 AM
In a joining of two of the video game industry's major publishers, Activision will merge with Vivendi Games to form Activision Blizzard, which will unseat Electronic Arts as the worlds "largest pure-play online and console game publisher," according to a statement by the newly formed company.
Activision handles a slew of popular game franchises, including Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, Tony Hawk, Quake, Doom and Spider-Man. Vivendi's major property is World of Warcraft, the world's largest massively multiplayer online role-playing game with more than 9 million subscribers. WoW is developed by Vivendi developer Blizzard Entertainment, which is the source of the second half of the new company name. Vivendi also owns the Starcraft and Diablo franchises, as well as Crash Bandicoot, Empire Earth and Leisure Suit Larry.
"We are very confident that by combining forces, Activision Blizzard will set the highest standards in quality, reputation and profitability, and will bring together the best creative teams in the industry," said René Penisson, current chairman of Vivendi Games. "The combination of this unique product portfolio with highly professional employees gives us great confidence in the growth prospects for Activision Blizzard."
The merger will create a number of interesting links. For example, Vivendi owns Universal Music Group, the world's largest music company, "which will benefit Guitar Hero and further extend our sizable leadership position in music-based games," said Robert Kotick, current chairman and CEO of Activision, who will take the title of president and CEO of Activision Blizzard.
The merger is expected to become official in the first half of 2008, following the movement of stocks and approval by stockholders and regulatory agencies. Vivendi Games will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision, which will officially take the new name following the merger's completion.
Source:http://www.nintendojo.com/infocus/
So what do you guys make of this? I wonder if many jobs will be lost in the merger and if it will be all worth it. Having more songs for Guitar Hero is always a plus.
Heh, maybe Activision's Call of Duty Team can make the next FPS Starcraft game.
Activision handles a slew of popular game franchises, including Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, Tony Hawk, Quake, Doom and Spider-Man. Vivendi's major property is World of Warcraft, the world's largest massively multiplayer online role-playing game with more than 9 million subscribers. WoW is developed by Vivendi developer Blizzard Entertainment, which is the source of the second half of the new company name. Vivendi also owns the Starcraft and Diablo franchises, as well as Crash Bandicoot, Empire Earth and Leisure Suit Larry.
"We are very confident that by combining forces, Activision Blizzard will set the highest standards in quality, reputation and profitability, and will bring together the best creative teams in the industry," said René Penisson, current chairman of Vivendi Games. "The combination of this unique product portfolio with highly professional employees gives us great confidence in the growth prospects for Activision Blizzard."
The merger will create a number of interesting links. For example, Vivendi owns Universal Music Group, the world's largest music company, "which will benefit Guitar Hero and further extend our sizable leadership position in music-based games," said Robert Kotick, current chairman and CEO of Activision, who will take the title of president and CEO of Activision Blizzard.
The merger is expected to become official in the first half of 2008, following the movement of stocks and approval by stockholders and regulatory agencies. Vivendi Games will become a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision, which will officially take the new name following the merger's completion.
Source:http://www.nintendojo.com/infocus/
So what do you guys make of this? I wonder if many jobs will be lost in the merger and if it will be all worth it. Having more songs for Guitar Hero is always a plus.
Heh, maybe Activision's Call of Duty Team can make the next FPS Starcraft game.