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Activision Blizzard deal valued at $18.9 billion

Activision and Vivendi Games are to merge, becoming the world’s largest independent videogame publisher, in a deal valued at USD 18.9 billion

The new company, Activision Blizzard, now boasts a portfolio bursting with some of the top-selling videogame franchises including Blizzard’s World of Warcraft, Starcraft and Diablo, Vivendi’s Crash Bandicoot and Spyro and Activision’s Guitar Hero, Call of Duty and the Tony Hawk series.

Activision shareholders are to receive USD 27.50 a share, a 24 per cent premium over Friday’s close of USD 22.15. Vivendi Games will contribute USD 1.7 billion in cash to the company and take a 52 per cent stake.

“This alliance is a major strategic step for Vivendi and is another illustration of our drive to extend our presence in the entertainment sector,” commented Jean Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi.

“The combined strength of the existing management teams at both companies will set the stage for further profitable growth of Activision Blizzard. continue reading…

Activision announced today that they have signed an agreement with Scholastic Inc., to distribute two new titles to the DS. I SPY Fun House and Animal Genius will be released in North America for $29.99 and be rated E for Everyone.

“Scholastic is a worldwide leader in children’s publishing and education and we are delighted to have the opportunity to team up with them on these games,” said David Oxford, SVP for Activision Publishing, Inc. “I’m confident that the collaboration between Activision and Scholastic, will offer consumers exciting interactive entertainment experiences.”

I remember in elementary school running home with the Scholastic order sheet ready to order everything on it. My favorite school day was the day we received those orders. Scholastic did a great job with quality products to encourage reading to kids and it’s great to see them continue that trend into the video game industry.

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