Skip to main content
GamesRadar+ GamesRadar+
US EditionUS CA EditionCanada UK EditionUK AU EditionAustralia
Sign in
  • View Profile
  • Sign out
  • Games
    • Game Insights
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
    • Genres
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
    • Franchises
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • Insights
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
    • Computing
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
    • Accessories & Tech
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
  • home
  • Games
    • View Games
      • Games News
      • Games Features
      • Games Reviews
      • Games Guides
      • Big in 2026
      • The Big Preview
      • On The Radar
      • Indie Spotlight
      • Future Games Show
      • Golden Joystick Awards
      • Action Games
      • RPGs
      • Action RPGs
      • Adventure Games
      • Third Person Shooters
      • FPS Games
    • Platforms
      • View Platforms
      • PS5
      • Xbox Series X
      • PC
      • Nintendo Switch
      • Nintendo Switch 2
      • Tabletop Gaming
      • Grand Theft Auto
      • Pokemon
      • Assassin's Creed
      • Monster Hunter
      • Fortnite
      • Cyberpunk
      • Red Dead
      • The Elder Scrolls
      • The Sims
  • Entertainment
    • View Entertainment
    • TV Shows
      • View TV Shows
      • TV News
      • TV Reviews
      • Anime Shows
      • Sci-Fi Shows
      • Superhero Shows
      • Animated Shows
      • Marvel TV Shows
      • Star Wars TV Shows
      • DC TV Shows
    • Movies
      • View Movies
      • Movie News
      • Movie Reviews
      • Big Screen Spotlight
      • Superhero Movies
      • Action Movies
      • Anime Movies
      • Sci-Fi Movies
      • Horror Movies
      • Marvel Movies
      • DC Movies
    • Streaming
      • View Streaming
      • Apple TV Plus
      • Disney Plus
      • Netflix
      • HBO
      • Amazon Prime Video
      • Hulu
    • Comics
      • View Comics
      • Marvel Comics
      • DC Comics
    • Toys & Collectibles
    • Lego
    • Dungeons and Dragons
    • Merch
  • Hardware
    • View Hardware
      • Hardware News
      • Hardware Reviews
      • Hardware Features
      • Desktop PCs
      • Laptops
      • Handhelds
    • Peripherals
      • View Peripherals
      • Headsets & Headphones
      • TVs & Monitors
      • Gaming Mice
      • Gaming Keyboards
      • Gaming Chairs
      • Speakers & Audio
      • Gaming Controllers
      • Tech
      • SSDs & Hard Drives
      • VR
      • Accessories
      • Retro
  • Deals
    • View Deals
    • Game Deals
    • Tech Deals
    • TV Deals
    • Buying Guides
  • Video
  • Newsletters
    • Quizzes
    • About Us
    • How to pitch to us
    • How we score
    • Newsarama
    • Retro Gamer
    • Total Film
Trending
  • Pokemon Winds and Waves
  • New Games for 2026
  • GamesRadar+ Replay
  • Mario Day deals
Don't miss these
Jack Black as Steve in A Minecraft Movie.
Minecraft Former Microsoft VP says it "maybe" should have taken "full advantage of Minecraft" before buying more studios
Xbox Series X and controller.
Hardware Project Helix "might be Microsoft's last attempt to make their hardware business work," analyst suggests
Xbox Project Helix logo on black background
Xbox Xbox Project Helix announced, "next generation console" will "play your Xbox and PC games," Microsoft says
FPS Games Overwatch is only in "the beginning of a comeback," lead says, as Blizzard plans to keep "making the best game" for fans
Xbox Project Helix logo in front of Series X silhouette with Game Pass box art in backdrop.
Xbox The next-gen Xbox is basically being pitched as a Steam Machine rival
Xbox Gamescom 2023 logo featuring a stylized city skyline in green
Games Xbox will be "sunsetted" under new CEO, co-founder expects: "Her job is going to be as a palliative care doctor"
Xbox Series X
Xbox Microsoft CEO says "we'll always" keep investing in gaming amid Xbox's announcement of mysterious Project Helix
Mass Effect
Mass Effect "F***ing Colonel Shepard dies in Mass Effect 3, and that makes us the Worst Company in America," former EA exec laments
A screenshot of Fortnite's Jonesy looking serious.
Battle Royale Games Fortnite faces backlash over V-Bucks price increase, but Epic lead argues it helps devs keep "building stuff you love"
Batman standing on a rooftop at night, looking over Gotham City, before fighting crime in one of the best superhero games, Batman: Arkham Knight
Action Games After a string of flops, Batman Arkham and Hogwarts Legacy publisher teases a "return to some of our biggest franchises"
Halo
Games Xbox co-founder says Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella has "a hammer called gen AI" and "there's a nail with an Xbox logo"
Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth trailer screenshot showing a young woman in a green ceremonial dress dancing, a determined look upon her face as she smirks while staring ahead
Final Fantasy Final Fantasy 7 Remake Part 3 director says the new JRPG is "already in a playable state"
Steam Machine with beige backdrop and sad face on front made from closed bracket and colon.
Games "I could see $1,000": Steam Machine is "a PC with console benefits," analyst says, "next Xbox" will be "just like it"
Halo 3 Cortana AI companion
Games Microsoft tried to ban "Microslop" in its Discord amid AI criticism, causing the internet to Microslop even harder
Xbox Series X
Xbox "You will hear more about that soon": New Xbox boss is "committed to returning to Xbox," and that "starts with console"
  1. Games

Microsoft president says Activision Blizzard acquisition is "moving fast"

News
By Hirun Cryer published 19 May 2022

But says Microsoft must "respect the process"

When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission. Here’s how it works.

Xbox Game Studios Activision Blizzard
(Image credit: Xbox Game Studios)
  • Facebook
  • X
  • Pinterest
  • Flipboard
  • Email
Share this article
Join the conversation
Follow us
Add us as a preferred source on Google
Get the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more


By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.

You are now subscribed

Your newsletter sign-up was successful


Want to add more newsletters?

GamesRadar+

Every Friday

GamesRadar+

Your weekly update on everything you could ever want to know about the games you already love, games we know you're going to love in the near future, and tales from the communities that surround them.

GTA 6 O'clock

Every Thursday

GTA 6 O'clock

Our special GTA 6 newsletter, with breaking news, insider info, and rumor analysis from the award-winning GTA 6 O'clock experts.

Knowledge

Every Friday

Knowledge

From the creators of Edge: A weekly videogame industry newsletter with analysis from expert writers, guidance from professionals, and insight into what's on the horizon.

The Setup

Every Thursday

The Setup

Hardware nerds unite, sign up to our free tech newsletter for a weekly digest of the hottest new tech, the latest gadgets on the test bench, and much more.

Switch 2 Spotlight

Every Wednesday

Switch 2 Spotlight

Sign up to our new Switch 2 newsletter, where we bring you the latest talking points on Nintendo's new console each week, bring you up to date on the news, and recommend what games to play.

The Watchlist

Every Saturday

The Watchlist

Subscribe for a weekly digest of the movie and TV news that matters, direct to your inbox. From first-look trailers, interviews, reviews and explainers, we've got you covered.

SFX

Once a month

SFX

Get sneak previews, exclusive competitions and details of special events each month!


An account already exists for this email address, please log in.
Subscribe to our newsletter

Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is "moving fast" according to the purchaser's president.

In a new interview with Belgian business publication L'Echo, Microsoft president Brad Smith commented on the ongoing acquisition of Activision Blizzard. "It’s moving fast, at least fast enough for an acquisition of this size. We have received requests for information on this subject here in Brussels, but also in London and Washington," said Smith.

"One of our attorneys summed it up nicely by saying, 'We’re coming to the end of the beginning and now we’re entering the beginning of the middle,'" the Microsoft president continued. Smith concluded by adding that "the sooner it is done the better," but saying that Microsoft as a whole will obviously "respect the process" of getting the acquisition done.

You may like
  • Overwatch: The Reign of Talon Blizzard boss says "near-term discussions" are underway to adapt "almost every one of our worlds"
  • Overwatch's Brigitte offers you a hand up. Ex Activision Blizzard exec defends new Xbox CEO with absolutely zero gaming experience, says "it IS learnable"
  • A screenshot of Master Chief during one of the best Xbox Series X games, Halo Infinite New Xbox CEO, a former Meta and Instacart exec, says "we will not chase short-term efficiency" or "soulless AI slop"

The proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has hit a number of road bumps since it was announced earlier this year. For one, a report claimed in March that the U.S. government was investigating three men related to Activision Blizzard over insider trading with regards to the acquisition, in a move that could've massively hindered the acquisition.

However, everything has been smooth sailing so far for both parties. Activision Blizzard shareholders near-unanimously voted to approve the Microsoft acquisition last month in April, and despite the FTC breaking from tradition to review the acquisition itself, we've so far heard nothing to suggest the government agency could hold up the deal. 

Meanwhile, Activision Blizzard lawsuit from California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing rumbles on. There haven't been any development in the lawsuit for little over a month now, but in mid-April the lawyer leading the case against the company resigned, claiming California governor Gavin Newsom had interfered with the lawsuit 

Here's what Microsoft's latest acquisition could mean for Activision Blizzard and Xbox Game Studios. 

Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter

Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more

By submitting your information you agree to the Terms & Conditions and Privacy Policy and are aged 16 or over.
Hirun Cryer
Hirun Cryer
Social Links Navigation
Freelance Writer

Hirun Cryer is a freelance reporter and writer with Gamesradar+ based out of U.K. After earning a degree in American History specializing in journalism, cinema, literature, and history, he stepped into the games writing world, with a focus on shooters, indie games, and RPGs, and has since been the recipient of the MCV 30 Under 30 award for 2021. In his spare time he freelances with other outlets around the industry, practices Japanese, and enjoys contemporary manga and anime.

Read more
Overwatch: The Reign of Talon
Blizzard boss says "near-term discussions" are underway to adapt "almost every one of our worlds"
 
 
Overwatch's Brigitte offers you a hand up.
Ex Activision Blizzard exec defends new Xbox CEO with absolutely zero gaming experience, says "it IS learnable"
 
 
A screenshot of Master Chief during one of the best Xbox Series X games, Halo Infinite
New Xbox CEO, a former Meta and Instacart exec, says "we will not chase short-term efficiency" or "soulless AI slop"
 
 
Xbox Gamescom 2023 logo featuring a stylized city skyline in green
Former Xbox head hopes original co-founder's prediction the brand will be "sunsetted" is "a little misguided"
 
 
Xbox
Xbox's new EVP Matt Booty says "there are no organizational changes underway" following abrupt leadership shakeup
 
 
Xbox Series X
Microsoft CEO says "we'll always" keep investing in gaming amid Xbox's announcement of mysterious Project Helix
 
 
Latest in Games
Two characters standing on a glowing battlefield during Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
"Parrying was not easy": Clair Obscur devs had to turn to sound to fix an integral part of the J'RPG's combat
 
 
Marathon Triage runner shell throwing out medic drone
New Marathon patch seemingly makes the whole game a touch easier as Bungie nerfs UESC enemies, to fans' relief
 
 
A player runs towards the Pokemon Pokopia release time
Pokopia leaves co-op fans disappointed, saying GameShare between Switch 2 and its predecessor "might as well not exist"
 
 
Jujutsu Kaisen Incremental codes
Jujutsu Kaisen Incremental codes (March 2026) and how to redeem them for free rerolls
 
 
Overwatch x Project YoRHa
Overwatch's Nier collab is here, but with no voice lines and a price higher than the action RPG, players aren't happy
 
 
Resident Evil Requiem
Resident Evil Requiem now inadvertently features an in-game ad for a Half-Life YouTuber
 
 
Latest in News
Two characters standing on a glowing battlefield during Clair Obscur: Expedition 33
"Parrying was not easy": Clair Obscur devs had to turn to sound to fix an integral part of the J'RPG's combat
 
 
An Intel Core Ultra processor on a blue background
Intel announces Core Ultra refresh CPUs "the fastest desktop gaming processors Intel has ever built"
 
 
Marathon Triage runner shell throwing out medic drone
New Marathon patch seemingly makes the whole game a touch easier as Bungie nerfs UESC enemies, to fans' relief
 
 
A player runs towards the Pokemon Pokopia release time
Pokopia leaves co-op fans disappointed, saying GameShare between Switch 2 and its predecessor "might as well not exist"
 
 
Grogu saluting in The Mandalorian and Grogu
New Mandalorian and Grogu TV spot doesn't give much away about the movie, but it does show Baby Yoda sneezing everywhere
 
 
Mark Hamill, Carrie Fisher, and Harrison Ford in Star Wars: A New Hope
Star Wars fans are discussing why two major characters barely interacted, but I think it makes total sense
 
 
LATEST ARTICLES
  1. A player runs towards the Pokemon Pokopia release time
    1
    "It can't even be Pokemon Minecraft, you can't even craft": Pokopia leaves co-op fans disappointed, saying GameShare between Switch 2 and its predecessor "might as well not exist"
  2. 2
    Intel confirms Core Ultra refresh rumors, announcing "the fastest desktop gaming processors" the brand "has ever built," and I hope this means long-term support for its current motherboard socket
  3. 3
    I feel like I can't escape Xbox drama, as even new retro handheld emulators are causing a stir over app charges
  4. 4
    Jujutsu Kaisen Incremental codes (March 2026) for free rerolls
  5. 5
    New Marathon patch seemingly makes the whole game a touch easier as Bungie nerfs UESC enemies, to fans' relief: "One of the best patch notes I've ever read"

GamesRadar+ is part of Future US Inc, an international media group and leading digital publisher. Visit our corporate site.

Add as a preferred source on Google Add as a preferred source on Google
  • Terms and conditions
  • Contact Future's experts
  • Privacy policy
  • Cookies policy
  • Accessibility statement
  • Careers
  • About us
  • Advertise with us
  • Review guidelines
  • Write for us
  • Accessibility Statement

© Future US, Inc. Full 7th Floor, 130 West 42nd Street, New York, NY 10036.

Please login or signup to comment

Please wait...