The entire games industry was stunned today by the news that publishers Activision and Vivendi have merged, dethroning Electronic Arts as the world's biggest games publisher. In a deal thats worth an estimated $18.9 billion, CEO of Vivendi had the following to say.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Jean-Bernard Levy
This alliance is a major strategic step for Vivendi and is another illustration of our drive to extend our presence in the entertainment sector.
By combining Vivendi's games business with Activision, we are creating a worldwide leader in a high-growth industry. We are excited about the opportunities for Activision Blizzard as a broader entertainment software platform.
Activision's chairman and CEO also added the following.
Quote:
Originally Posted by Robert Kotick
This is an outstanding transaction for Activision and our stockholders, as well as a pivotal event in the continuing transformation of the interactive entertainment industry. By combining leaders in mass-market entertainment and subscription-based online games, Activision Blizzard will be the only publisher with leading market positions across all categories of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry and reach the broadest possible audiences.
This was unexpected! And good news really, we need more big, big companies on the game-market except EA. Sure, they were big before but now I think it "even things out" a little more...
