Pankaj110. Activision Blizzard
Headquarters: Santa Monica, California, USA
Bought By: Tencent (owns a minority stake, not full ownership)
Headquarters: Shenzhen, China
A titan in the digital realm, Activision Blizzard stands as one of the most influential video game companies in the world. Born from a merger in 2008 between Activision, an industry pioneer since 1979, and Blizzard Entertainment, known for iconic franchises like World of Warcraft, the combined entity commands a vast empire of gaming titles and esports ventures.
However, many are unaware of its significant foreign stake. In 2013, a consortium led by Activision Blizzard’s management and the Chinese conglomerate Tencent acquired a majority of the company’s shares for approximately $8.2 billion. While Tencent only holds a minority stake, its influence underscores the global reach and appeal of gaming culture.