[Deciphyr]

Blizzard to Join Forces With Activision

The announcement was made few hours ago; our favorite game and the incoming expansion (WotLK) shouldnt be affected by the merger of Blizzard and Activision.

We're pleased to announce that along with the other companies that make up Vivendi Games, we are merging with Activision to form a new global entertainment organization called Activision Blizzard (pending shareholder and regulatory approval). Similar to our previous arrangement, Blizzard Entertainment will now operate as a division of this new organization.

There will be no changes to our games, our websites, our personnel, or our day-to-day operations as a result of the deal. However, this combining of resources will benefit all of the companies involved and will further strengthen Blizzard's ability to continue delivering high-quality content for our players around the world for many years to come. To learn more about this exciting new development, please read our Activision Blizzard FAQ.

[Only registered and activated users can see links. ]


Merger FAQ

Q: What are the details of the deal?
A: Under the terms of an agreement with Vivendi, Blizzard and the other companies that make up Vivendi Games will combine with Activision to form a new public company called Activision Blizzard. We do not anticipate any difference in Blizzard’s operations as a result of the combination. Joining forces with Activision will create a stronger and more diversified company that we anticipate will benefit and strengthen both brands.

Q: What will happen to the Blizzard brand name?
A: The Blizzard brand name will stay the same as it’s always been: Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Q: What will change with regard to the day-to-day operations at Blizzard?
A: There will be no changes in the way Blizzard operates. All of the people, processes, and philosophies that have made Blizzard so successful will be preserved. Blizzard will benefit from all-star sales and distribution teams to service our products. In addition, the combined company will be stronger financially, managerially, and operationally.

Q: How will this impact Blizzard’s games?
A: This will not impact Blizzard’s games. We remain committed to providing the same high-quality game content and support that we always have. Development on Wrath of the Lich King and StarCraft II, as well as on our unannounced games, is continuing as normal.

Q: Will there be any visible differences in Blizzard’s logo or packaging/marketing materials as a result of this deal?
A: No, there won’t be any changes to our company name, logo, packaging/marketing materials, or anything else along those lines.

Q: Will there be any management changes at Blizzard as a result of this deal?
A: No, there won’t be any management changes at Blizzard as a result of the combination.

Q: Will Activision and Blizzard now share development teams?
A: No, both of our companies will continue to operate as they have previously with regard to game development.

Q: Will the release schedules for any Blizzard games be impacted?
A: No, the transaction will not have any impact on our games, our day-to-day operations, or our release timelines.

Q: Will any of Blizzard’s offices close as a result of the deal? Or, will any new offices open?
A: No, all of our offices will continue to function as they have, and we don’t foresee the need to open any new offices for the time being.

Q: Will any employees move to different offices as a result of the deal?
A: We don’t anticipate making any such moves as a result of the deal.

Q: Does this deal include Activision’s and Blizzard’s international offices?
A: Yes, every part of our companies in the U.S. and abroad is involved in this deal.

Q: If Activision Blizzard is a public company, does that mean I’ll now be able to buy stock in Blizzard?
A: Activision will be renamed Activision Blizzard, Inc and will continue to be a publicly listed company traded on NASDAQ. You will be able to buy stock in the combined company.

Q: When will the transaction be complete?
A: The transaction is subject to approval of Activision shareholders, customary closing conditions, and regulatory approvals. Pending approval, the companies expect the transaction to be completed by mid 2008.

Taken from World of Raids.


//Decipicator

[Puff]

Ahh.. the blue text Crits Puff for 62k, Seriously though... my eyes are burning from that colour :S

Anyway, nice find. Its also on Blizzard's site if you want more info.

[Deciphyr]

Colour edited for cooler reading.

[lag]

Whatever, you know in the end EA is just going to buy everything and rape us all without lube.

[Giorgio Armani]

And then google will buy microsoft.

[Hellgawd]

If it didnt seem to change aqbsolutely anything at all - it was just another buy-out. They should have summed it up like this:
Activision bought out Blizzard, Blizzard = Rich. G'Bye.

[Deciphyr]

Thanks to your "comments'' guys.. ;p

[lag]

Originally Posted by Decipicator

Thanks to your "comments'' guys.. ;p

No "problem"

[TheDipper]

Also adding to it, Vivendi basically bought Activision so Blizzard will not change a bit.

18M isnt very much considering they're investing $100million in the Warcraft movie.

[gtdarkside]

i actually find that cool
maybe we'll get skateboards in wow
and like i dunno
some other cool stuff
:P

[lag]

Originally Posted by TheDipper

Also adding to it, Vivendi basically bought Activision so Blizzard will not change a bit.

18M isnt very much considering they're investing $100million in the Warcraft movie.

+8REP says it comes out on a Tuesday morning and stops showing somewhere around noon...