Will Microsoft Buy Activision-Blizzard?

A few days ago, Vivendi made the announcement that they were interested in selling their 60% of Activision-Blizzard shares for $8.1 million dollars and of course the internet lit up with rumors as to who was interested in buying the company. Thoes rumors include industry giant Microsoft and that they are in discussion with Vivendi to make that very special purchase that would not only impact the future of Microsoft's Xbox franchise, but also Sony's Playstation brand.

What would this mean for Sony if Microsoft were to go through with their rumored purchase? Sony could be saying "buh-bye" to seeing a Call of Duty, Guitar Hero, James Bond, or Crash Bandicoot (just to name a few) game on their console again if Microsoft would turn the tables and make these games an Xbox exclusive. Keep in mind that one of those series that happens to be the cash cow Call of Duty series brought in $1 million dollar worth of profits worldwide to Activision with it's latest entry Modern Warfare 3 all with the first 16 days of it's release.

Questions have also been raised regarding Blizzard's PC series World of Warcraft, Diablo, and StarCraft. What would Microsoft do with those popular franchises especially with Diablo III being rumored to eventually be releasing on consoles. Microsoft would have the opportunity to make a console release of Diablo III an Xbox exclusive giving Sony the very frosty cold shoulder.

There are endless possibilities of the "what ifs" if this turns out to be true, but keep in mind that there other takers showing an interest in purchasing Activision-Blizzard such as Time Warner and China's Tencent so it could go either way. However if Microsoft happens to buy Activision-Blizzard it will be interesting to see what will happen with these franchises under Microsoft's eye.

via Reuters