Activision

Activision is one of the most recognized names in the gaming industry. Founded as the first independent video game publisher for Atari in the late 1970s, it grew into a massive powerhouse through major mergers and acquisitions. Today, it encompasses legendary studios like Blizzard Entertainment and King, bringing players iconic franchises such as Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and Candy Crush. In 2023, Activision Blizzard King officially became part of Microsoft Gaming, cementing its role in the Xbox and Game Pass ecosystem. 

History and Development

Early Years (1979–1990s)

• 1979: Activision was founded by former Atari developers, becoming the first independent publisher for consoles.

• 1980s: Success on Atari platforms with classics like Pitfall! and River Raid.

• 1991: Blizzard Entertainment was born (originally Silicon & Synapse), later creating groundbreaking titles in strategy and RPG.

Mergers and Expansion

• 2008: Activision merged with Vivendi Games, which included Blizzard, forming Activision Blizzard.

• 2016: Acquisition of King Digital Entertainment, makers of Candy Crush, in a deal worth nearly $6 billion, expanding strongly into mobile gaming.

The Microsoft Era

• 2023: Activision Blizzard King was acquired by Microsoft, becoming a core part of Microsoft Gaming. Since then, its games have started rolling out into the Game Pass catalog, bringing top titles to millions of subscribers.

Major Franchises and Games

Call of Duty

Activision's flagship series and one of the best-selling game franchises of all time. With annual releases, robust multiplayer, and the free-to-play Warzone, Call of Duty has become a cultural phenomenon.

Blizzard Entertainment

Blizzard has shaped entire genres with its legendary titles:

• Warcraft & World of Warcraft – genre-defining RTS and the world's most famous MMORPG.

• Diablo – dark action RPG franchise beloved worldwide.

• Overwatch – team-based shooter with strong esports presence.

• StarCraft – RTS classic that defined competitive gaming in regions like South Korea.

King

The mobile gaming powerhouse behind Candy Crush Saga, one of the most downloaded and played mobile games ever. King boasts hundreds of millions of monthly active players.

Studios under Activision

Activision operates a vast network of studios, including:

• Infinity Ward, Treyarch, Sledgehammer Games – the main Call of Duty cycle.

• Raven Software, Beenox, High Moon Studios – supporting and specialized teams.

• Blizzard Entertainment – creators of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, StarCraft, and more.

• King – leaders in mobile gaming with Candy Crush and related franchises.

Former studios like Vicarious Visions were integrated into Blizzard (now Blizzard Albany), while Toys for Bob became independent again in 2024 with a partnership with Microsoft.

Financial Performance

Before the Microsoft Acquisition

• Annual revenues often exceeded $7–8 billion, with peaks during strong Call of Duty releases and WoW expansions.

• King was one of the company's strongest revenue drivers thanks to Candy Crush.

• Blizzard maintained solid results with World of Warcraft subscriptions and expansions, and gained momentum with Diablo IV.

After Joining Microsoft

Since 2023, financial reporting for Activision Blizzard King has been consolidated under Microsoft Gaming. Microsoft regularly highlights Activision Blizzard's games and live-service models as a key driver of growth for its gaming segment.

Stocks and Ownership

Until 2023, Activision Blizzard traded on NASDAQ under the ticker ATVI as common stock. With the Microsoft acquisition completed, all shares were bought out for cash and delisted. This means you can no longer purchase Activision Blizzard shares directly – exposure is only possible via Microsoft (MSFT) stock.

Current Status and Future Outlook

Activision Blizzard King is now fully integrated into Microsoft's gaming empire, alongside Xbox Game Studios and Bethesda/ZeniMax. The future looks focused on:

• Game Pass expansion – ABK titles are joining Game Pass, including Diablo IV and Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 on day one.

• Mobile dominance – King continues to be a global leader in mobile gaming with Candy Crush.

• Cloud gaming – integration with Xbox Cloud Gaming ensures players can access top franchises across devices.

• Multiplatform strategy – despite the acquisition, Microsoft confirmed major series like Call of Duty will remain on PlayStation, while expanding availability.

Summary for Players

Activision has shaped video game history for over four decades. From Atari days to the modern Xbox ecosystem, it brought us unforgettable franchises, defined genres, and influenced how millions of people play games. Under Microsoft, its brands are set to reach even more players through Game Pass, cloud gaming, and multiplatform releases – ensuring Activision remains a cornerstone of the gaming industry for years to come.