Microsoft buys Activision Blizzard, from the games ‘Candy Crush’ and ‘Call of Duty’, for US$68.7 billion.

Microsoft announced this Tuesday, the 18th, the purchase of Activision Blizzard, maker of games such as Call of Duty and Candy Crush. The company made an offer of US$68.7 billion – the equivalent of around R$379 billion. Activision Blizzard’s portfolio also includes other famous games such as Guitar Hero, Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch and the Tony Hawk franchise. With the purchase, the creator of Xbox becomes the third largest gaming company in the world. “Over many decades, the studios and teams that make up Activision Blizzard have earned great sources of joy and respect from billions of people around the world. We are incredibly excited to have the chance to work with amazing, talented and dedicated people,” said Microsoft CEO Phil Spencer. The purchase comes amid allegations of sexual harassment within Activision Blizzard. The California Department of Employment and Housing accuses the company of maintaining a hostile work environment for women. According to The Wall Street Journal, the company’s CEO, Bobby Kotick, knew about the scandals and covered up the harassment cases.