Microsoft to buy video games provider Activision Blizzard

Microsoft wants to take over the major video game provider Activision Blizzard in a deal worth almost $70 billion.

The software giant, which is behind the Xbox gaming console, is securing popular games and e-sports franchises such as „Call of Duty,“ „Overwatch“ and „Starcraft 2.“

Microsoft is offering $95 per share of Activision Blizzard stock – a hefty premium to its closing price of $65.39 on the previous U.S. trading day on Friday. The game company would thus be valued at a total of 68.7 billion dollars (60.4 billion euros), as Microsoft announced on Tuesday.

Activision Blizzard's current chief Bobby Kotick is to remain at the helm of the games company, it said. Kotick had come under criticism in recent months after allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination against managers of the company.