In May of this year, the European Union approved Microsoft’s historic $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the renowned creator of the popular game franchise “Call of Duty.” Now, Activision Blizzard is making investments in Europe by expanding its presence in the region.
The company has revealed plans for its developer, Infinity Ward, to establish a team in Barcelona, Spain, and expand its Call of Duty-focused studios across Europe. Infinity Ward, currently based in Los Angeles with studios in Texas, Mexico, and Poland, will join forces with its mobile games unit, Digital Legends, in the Spanish city.
Digital Legends, which became part of Activision in 2021, has experienced significant growth and is actively working on developing “Call of Duty: Warzone Mobile,” scheduled for release later this year.
Activision Blizzard recognizes Europe’s pivotal role in the gaming industry’s evolution, particularly in mobile gaming—an area of focus for both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard. The company expects that European developers will continue to contribute to the industry’s progress due to their skills, ambition, and government support.
Interestingly, while the European Union gains from this investment, the United Kingdom previously blocked Microsoft’s takeover of Activision Blizzard, citing concerns about anti-competitive practices in the cloud gaming sector.
Following the UK’s decision to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the video game company expressed its disappointment and stated that it would reconsider its growth plans for the UK. Activision Blizzard has existing studios in Guildford and Warrington, England, which may be affected by the UK’s regulatory stance. The company criticized the UK’s actions, claiming that it sends a message that the country is closed for business, despite its rhetoric.
Microsoft President Brad Smith commented on the situation, noting that the European Union has become a more attractive destination for starting a business compared to the United Kingdom. This highlights the contrasting regulatory environments between the two regions.
