Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard for $68.7 bil

https://www3.nhk.or.jp/nhkworld/en/news/20220119_15/

IT giant Microsoft says it plans to buy a leading US gaming company to expand its business in the field of the "metaverse," which is seen as the next-generation online space.

Microsoft announced on Tuesday that it will buy Activision Blizzard for 68.7 billion dollars.

Activision Blizzard makes games such as "Call of Duty" and "World of Warcraft."

If the deal goes through, it will be the biggest ever for Microsoft. The company hopes to complete the deal in 2023.

IT companies have been focusing on the "metaverse," which mainly uses gaming platforms.

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella said gaming is the fastest-growing form of entertainment today. He said gaming will play a key role in the development of "metaverse" platforms.