In a move that is sending shockwaves throughout the gaming space, Microsoft has laid plans to purchase the video game development studio: Activision Blizzard

Microsoft plans to buy major games company Activision Blizzard in a deal worth $US68.7 billion

It would be the biggest acquisition in the company’s history and is expected to be finalised next year.

The move means Microsoft will take ownership of gaming franchises like Call of Duty, Warcraft and Overwatch and will provide building blocks for the metaverse.

The deal comes with a slew of popular franchises both old and new, meaning more exclusivity in favour of Microsoft and their Xbox Game pass subscription service.

Think Netflix – for gaming.

Activision Blizzard has in recent months seen a concerning pattern of allegations and lawsuits. With several issues afflicting the company in relation to employee treatment, sexual harassment and, a quote “frat boy culture” which ravaged the reputation of the popular studio.

Enraged employees staged walkouts in response to the poor conditions and lack of leadership surrounding these issues last year.

Microsoft’s takeover sees an important opportunity present itself for the company as they will now need to improve the culture dramatically.

This trend of developer acquisition has seen the gaming space evolve from the traditional “console wars” of the 90s and early 2000s into a world where content is king.

Where this leaves competitors like Sony and Nintendo remains to be seen but as 2022 kicks off and the gaming industry shows no signs of slowing, there is plenty to play as gamers assess where to get their gaming goodness moving forward.

However for XBOX and PC owners their gaming offerings have expanded dramatically as of the signing of this deal.