Vivendi Buyout of Activision
Sunday, December 2, 2007 by C. Carter
Vivendi, the parent company of Blizzard, has announced the buyout of Activision for $1.7 billion in addition to the gaming division (a la Blizzard). That's right: Blizzard will no longer be the developer of World of Warcraft content. Rather, is will be essentially be a division of Activision. The "new branch" will be called Activision Blizzard. They call it a merger.
So what does this mean for us gamers? Not too much, I hope. Though I can't but recall past incidences of game developers being bought out and anticipated projects being shit-canned. As an example, Microsoft buying out Bungie and having Marathon axed really rubbed me the wrong way.
But hey, it World of Warcraft - they couldn't mess it up, right? I mean, the motivational factor would be to develop better games for us. Right? Right?
/groan
I sit in anticipation for the announcement of World of Guitarcraft Hero.
So what does this mean for us gamers? Not too much, I hope. Though I can't but recall past incidences of game developers being bought out and anticipated projects being shit-canned. As an example, Microsoft buying out Bungie and having Marathon axed really rubbed me the wrong way.
But hey, it World of Warcraft - they couldn't mess it up, right? I mean, the motivational factor would be to develop better games for us. Right? Right?
On a pro forma basis in 2007, Activision Blizzard expects to generate approximately 70 pct of sales from owned franchises and will be the the world's 'largest pure-play online and console game publisher', the two groups said.
/groan
I sit in anticipation for the announcement of World of Guitarcraft Hero.
At least they gave it to the people as freeware.
http://trilogyrelease.bungie.org/
POWER TO THE PEOPLE!!!!