When Microsoft stabbed Sony in the back

 On January 18th, 2022, Microsoft announced that it would be acquiring Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion. This acquisition is one of the largest in gaming history and has the potential to change the landscape of the industry.

Impact on Xbox Game Pass

One of the biggest impacts of the acquisition will be on Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft's subscription-based gaming service. Activision Blizzard has a number of popular franchises, including Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush, which will now be available on Xbox Game Pass.

This will give Xbox Game Pass a significant advantage over other gaming subscription services like PlayStation Plus and Nintendo Switch Online, and will likely attract many new subscribers.

Impact on the gaming industry

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft will also have a significant impact on the gaming industry as a whole. Microsoft will now own some of the most popular and profitable gaming franchises in the world, which will give the company a lot of power and influence.

This could lead to changes in the way games are developed, marketed, and sold. It could also lead to more exclusives for Xbox and Windows platforms, which could be a blow to PlayStation and Nintendo.

Conclusion

The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft is a major event in the gaming industry and has the potential to change the landscape of gaming as we know it. With the addition of popular franchises like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft to Xbox Game Pass, Microsoft has a significant advantage over its competitors in the subscription-based gaming market.

However, the acquisition also raises concerns about the concentration of power in the hands of one company, and the potential impact this could have on the industry as a whole. Only time will tell what the long-term effects of the acquisition will be, but it is clear that it is a major development that will be watched closely by gamers, developers, and industry insiders alike.