I don't know if you realize this, but Vivendi owned Blizzard so it wasn't Vivendi merging with Activision. The merger of Blizzard and Activision basically means Vivendi bought out Activision, but did it as a merger of a subsidiary company. Notice they obtained 52% of the ownership of the new company. Nice sneaky way to buy out a company by calling it a merger of the target company and one of your subsidiaries. ...
Indeed, basically it's not a merger but Vivendi aquires a controlling stake (52%) in Activision and pays for this with their subsidiary Vivendi games (owner of Blizzard) and a handful of cash ($ 1.8 bn).
As long as this does not effect the development of starcraft 2, i.e, quality and the "done when its done" approch blizzard has.. i realy could not care.
As long as this does not effect the development of starcraft 2, i.e, quality and the "done when its done" approch blizzard has.. i realy could not care.
We'll see. Tribes2 was forced out the door by Vivendi before Dynamix had finished the game, and the entire crew of Dynamix was then laid off / fired quite suddenly.
As long as this does not effect the development of starcraft 2, i.e, quality and the "done when its done" approch blizzard has.. i realy could not care.
We'll see. Tribes2 was forced out the door by Vivendi before Dynamix had finished the game, and the entire crew of Dynamix was then laid off / fired quite suddenly.
Nice to stumble upon a fellow T2 vet.
Long live Necrobones, haha.
AmazingAveryAge of Conan AdvocateMemberUncommonPosts: 7,188
Going to be interesting to see what the combined company can come up with.
I used to love Activision games on my old Atari ST.
I don't know if you realize this, but Vivendi owned Blizzard so it wasn't Vivendi merging with Activision. The merger of Blizzard and Activision basically means Vivendi bought out Activision, but did it as a merger of a subsidiary company. Notice they obtained 52% of the ownership of the new company. Nice sneaky way to buy out a company by calling it a merger of the target company and one of your subsidiaries. ...
Indeed, basically it's not a merger but Vivendi aquires a controlling stake (52%) in Activision and pays for this with their subsidiary Vivendi games (owner of Blizzard) and a handful of cash ($ 1.8 bn).
Yeah, one thing i remember at business school was theres never really such a thing as a 'true merger'. One company always buys the other...in this case Blizz/Vivendi seem to be the buyer.
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:
...
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 Blizzards 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 its 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 Blizzards games? A: This will not impact Blizzards 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 Blizzards logo or packaging/marketing materials as a result of this deal? A: No, there wont 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 wont 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 Blizzards 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 dont 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 dont anticipate making any such moves as a result of the deal.
Q: Does this deal include Activisions and Blizzards 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 Ill 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.
So does this mean well have more games trying to push the gaming market to new levels in design and gameplay OR will it mean games CoD and GH will be the same game over and over with genical game designs rehashed with 'BAND NEW GRAPHICAL ENGINES!!!!'?
The Q and A is interesting in that it appears almost nothing is changing in either firm as a result of the merger...so why do the merger in the first place?
Not a lot of information regarding the benefits of the merger......
edit: (well, probably one benefit for sure...someone is getting richer somewhere)
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
The Q and A is interesting in that it appears almost nothing is changing in either firm as a result of the merger...so why do the merger in the first place? Not a lot of information regarding the benefits of the merger......
The main benefit is for Vivendi and the shareholders of the current Activision.
- Activision shareholders get a premium for their shares. Vivendi offers to buy these shares for 31% above their current price at the stock exchange. Obviously many investors are expected to accept that offer.
- Vivendi gets a controlling stake of the new company. After the deal they will own the majority of Activision with at least a 52% stake that they intend to bring up to 68%.
This deal has indeed very little influence on the day-to-day operations of Blizzard. Until now Blizzard was fully owned by Vivendi, in the future they will be fully owned by ActiBliz and in turn Vivendi owns the majority of ActiBliz. This deal gives Vivendi a major foothold in the console gaming market - and that's exactly why they did it.
I maintain this List of Sandbox MMORPGs. Please post or send PM for corrections and suggestions.
Originally posted by Ohaan Originally posted by mmonkey So Activision Blizzard is a bigger corp than than EA. I hereby officially offer two shortened name options for this new gaming giant. "AB" or "ActiBlizz"
What licenses, developed or undeveloped, does Activision own? Do they still own the Battletech/ Mechwarrior license?
Actually, I believe Mircrosoft owns the Battletech/Mechwarrior license. Looking at Activisions website, the two most prominent names are "Call of Duty" and "The Transformers."
"Those who dislike things based only on the fact that they are popular are just as shallow and superficial as those who only like them for the same reason."
Actard, changing the handcrafted well polished feel of Blizzard into the world of mass produced games that is Activision. Activision has a dream, to produce 100 games a year with as little production costs as possible and hope 1 of them is successful enough to cover the 99 other failures they released that year.
What licenses, developed or undeveloped, does Activision own? Do they still own the Battletech/ Mechwarrior license?
Actually, I believe Mircrosoft owns the Battletech/Mechwarrior license. Looking at Activisions website, the two most prominent names are "Call of Duty" and "The Transformers."
The Q and A is interesting in that it appears almost nothing is changing in either firm as a result of the merger...so why do the merger in the first place? Not a lot of information regarding the benefits of the merger...... edit: (well, probably one benefit for sure...someone is getting richer somewhere)
Even tho somewhere someone benefits in this deal, i dont think all who are involved in this deal, know they can chance blizzard for what it is, one of most succesfull games companys in the world.
They would be crazy try chance anything at blizzard there, specially rush games, thats one of strong points of blizzard, done when its done.
Activision or vivendi cant chance or force this on blizzard, they would ruin this top selling gamemaker.
Hope to build full AMD system RYZEN/VEGA/AM4!!!
MB:Asus V De Luxe z77 CPU:Intell Icore7 3770k GPU: AMD Fury X(waiting for BIG VEGA 10 or 11 HBM2?(bit unclear now)) MEMORY:Corsair PLAT.DDR3 1866MHZ 16GB PSU:Corsair AX1200i OS:Windows 10 64bit
I read this today in the paper. Completely unsure if this is a great thing or a very bad thing for the industry. Personally I like competition to keep firms sharp and continue to push new developments for the gamers. If they hold a massive chunk of the marketplace we may see several releases of MMO's targeting the usual pretty grind fest. Alternatively with so much might and backing we may see some huge releases. However from experience companies this size play it safe and we probably see lots of pretty content and little in the ways of hardcore gaming.
Not understanding this merger at all. Vivendi already makes a ton of money off of WOW and with Starcraft 2 on the wat it doesn't seem they will be missing much money not to mention the new WOW expansion coming. WOW on a console ? I doubt it but I can see Starcraft 2 being on the consoles. Other reasons...
1. Greed - Yes, we want to be the Microsoft of online gaming.
2. We are currently working on a NextGen MMO but we ran out of ideas. We took so much heat for copying every mmo company out there last time. So this time, we will buy Activision first, then get some new ideas from them to complete our project in a timely fashion
3. Simply just expanding and trying to make better games and put games on the console.
I like ideas 1 and 2 but 3 is more likely, though you can never tell what Vivendi/Blizzard is up to.
The Q and A is interesting in that it appears almost nothing is changing in either firm as a result of the merger...so why do the merger in the first place? Not a lot of information regarding the benefits of the merger...... edit: (well, probably one benefit for sure...someone is getting richer somewhere)
It could be you getting richer.
Buy stock. I know I'm going to.
smartest post so far
MMO wish list:
-Changeable worlds -Solid non level based game -Sharks with lasers attached to their heads
What licenses, developed or undeveloped, does Activision own? Do they still own the Battletech/ Mechwarrior license?
Actually, I believe Mircrosoft owns the Battletech/Mechwarrior license. Looking at Activisions website, the two most prominent names are "Call of Duty" and "The Transformers."
Lol. A mediocre shooter that they've made endless repetitions of with minor variations and as for the transformers, can't say I've ever played it, never heard it was anything fantastic either. Vivendi paid how much for this? Waste of money in my opinion. Still it makes it less likely that EA will try to make a move on them so that makes me happy. Just the thought of EA being in charge of starcraft II makes me die a little on the inside.
Comments
Indeed, basically it's not a merger but Vivendi aquires a controlling stake (52%) in Activision and pays for this with their subsidiary Vivendi games (owner of Blizzard) and a handful of cash ($ 1.8 bn).
Here's the Activision press release: http://www.activisionblizzard.com/pressReleases/pr120207.php
I maintain this List of Sandbox MMORPGs. Please post or send PM for corrections and suggestions.
As long as this does not effect the development of starcraft 2, i.e, quality and the "done when its done" approch blizzard has.. i realy could not care.
We'll see. Tribes2 was forced out the door by Vivendi before Dynamix had finished the game, and the entire crew of Dynamix was then laid off / fired quite suddenly.
We'll see. Tribes2 was forced out the door by Vivendi before Dynamix had finished the game, and the entire crew of Dynamix was then laid off / fired quite suddenly.
Nice to stumble upon a fellow T2 vet.Long live Necrobones, haha.
Going to be interesting to see what the combined company can come up with.
I used to love Activision games on my old Atari ST.
Indeed, basically it's not a merger but Vivendi aquires a controlling stake (52%) in Activision and pays for this with their subsidiary Vivendi games (owner of Blizzard) and a handful of cash ($ 1.8 bn).
Here's the Activision press release: http://www.activisionblizzard.com/pressReleases/pr120207.php
Yeah, one thing i remember at business school was theres never really such a thing as a 'true merger'. One company always buys the other...in this case Blizz/Vivendi seem to be the buyer.
Official response from Blizzard:
http://www.battle.net/forums/thread.aspx?fn=sc2-general&t=152804&p=1&#post152804
-Azure Prower
http://www.youtube.com/AzurePrower
Well I was worried but that Q&A makes me feel a bit better. I've never been a huge fan of Activision.
CoD 4 does much, much more than that.
What licenses, developed or undeveloped, does Activision own? Do they still own the Battletech/ Mechwarrior license?
The Q and A is interesting in that it appears almost nothing is changing in either firm as a result of the merger...so why do the merger in the first place?
Not a lot of information regarding the benefits of the merger......
edit: (well, probably one benefit for sure...someone is getting richer somewhere)
"True friends stab you in the front." | Oscar Wilde
"I need to finish" - Christian Wolff: The Accountant
Just trying to live long enough to play a new, released MMORPG, playing New Worlds atm
Fools find no pleasure in understanding but delight in airing their own opinions. Pvbs 18:2, NIV
Don't just play games, inhabit virtual worlds™
"This is the most intelligent, well qualified and articulate response to a post I have ever seen on these forums. It's a shame most people here won't have the attention span to read past the second line." - Anon
The main benefit is for Vivendi and the shareholders of the current Activision.
- Activision shareholders get a premium for their shares. Vivendi offers to buy these shares for 31% above their current price at the stock exchange. Obviously many investors are expected to accept that offer.
- Vivendi gets a controlling stake of the new company. After the deal they will own the majority of Activision with at least a 52% stake that they intend to bring up to 68%.
This deal has indeed very little influence on the day-to-day operations of Blizzard. Until now Blizzard was fully owned by Vivendi, in the future they will be fully owned by ActiBliz and in turn Vivendi owns the majority of ActiBliz. This deal gives Vivendi a major foothold in the console gaming market - and that's exactly why they did it.
I maintain this List of Sandbox MMORPGs. Please post or send PM for corrections and suggestions.
hehe.
D.
"Those who dislike things based only on the fact that they are popular are just as shallow and superficial as those who only like them for the same reason."
Actard, changing the handcrafted well polished feel of Blizzard into the world of mass produced games that is Activision. Activision has a dream, to produce 100 games a year with as little production costs as possible and hope 1 of them is successful enough to cover the 99 other failures they released that year.
Actually, I believe Mircrosoft owns the Battletech/Mechwarrior license. Looking at Activisions website, the two most prominent names are "Call of Duty" and "The Transformers."Hmm can I contain my excitment?
It could be you getting richer.
Buy stock. I know I'm going to.
Even tho somewhere someone benefits in this deal, i dont think all who are involved in this deal, know they can chance blizzard for what it is, one of most succesfull games companys in the world.
They would be crazy try chance anything at blizzard there, specially rush games, thats one of strong points of blizzard, done when its done.
Activision or vivendi cant chance or force this on blizzard, they would ruin this top selling gamemaker.
Hope to build full AMD system RYZEN/VEGA/AM4!!!
MB:Asus V De Luxe z77
CPU:Intell Icore7 3770k
GPU: AMD Fury X(waiting for BIG VEGA 10 or 11 HBM2?(bit unclear now))
MEMORY:Corsair PLAT.DDR3 1866MHZ 16GB
PSU:Corsair AX1200i
OS:Windows 10 64bit
I read this today in the paper. Completely unsure if this is a great thing or a very bad thing for the industry. Personally I like competition to keep firms sharp and continue to push new developments for the gamers. If they hold a massive chunk of the marketplace we may see several releases of MMO's targeting the usual pretty grind fest. Alternatively with so much might and backing we may see some huge releases. However from experience companies this size play it safe and we probably see lots of pretty content and little in the ways of hardcore gaming.
Keeping an eye on this one...
Not understanding this merger at all. Vivendi already makes a ton of money off of WOW and with Starcraft 2 on the wat it doesn't seem they will be missing much money not to mention the new WOW expansion coming. WOW on a console ? I doubt it but I can see Starcraft 2 being on the consoles. Other reasons...
1. Greed - Yes, we want to be the Microsoft of online gaming.
2. We are currently working on a NextGen MMO but we ran out of ideas. We took so much heat for copying every mmo company out there last time. So this time, we will buy Activision first, then get some new ideas from them to complete our project in a timely fashion
3. Simply just expanding and trying to make better games and put games on the console.
I like ideas 1 and 2 but 3 is more likely, though you can never tell what Vivendi/Blizzard is up to.
It could be you getting richer.
Buy stock. I know I'm going to.
smartest post so far
MMO wish list:
-Changeable worlds
-Solid non level based game
-Sharks with lasers attached to their heads
""" we3ster 12/02/07 4:58:20 AM
I wonder if the NY Post has anything new, or different in their article....
Lol. A mediocre shooter that they've made endless repetitions of with minor variations and as for the transformers, can't say I've ever played it, never heard it was anything fantastic either. Vivendi paid how much for this? Waste of money in my opinion. Still it makes it less likely that EA will try to make a move on them so that makes me happy. Just the thought of EA being in charge of starcraft II makes me die a little on the inside.
It's been done before allready, it's called Level 70 Elite Tauren Chieftain
Definitely...will start spreading the news asap.....
Thought exactly same :P
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