Mergers and Acquisitions
Ongoing coverage on Mergers and Acquisitions.
Latest coverage
Following Nintendo and Sony's lead, Xbox is setting up a division exclusively dedicated to movies and non-games partnerships
Microsoft has launched a new division within Xbox called XP, which will focus on expanding game franchises into movies, TV, and other partnerships. Led by Kayleen Walters, the division aims to create more opportunities for players to engage with beloved game worlds across various media, following successes like the Minecraft movie and the Fallout TV series.
Bobby's back
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has joined the board of Skydance as an independent director, marking his return to the gaming industry after leaving Activision Blizzard following its acquisition by Microsoft. Skydance praised Kotick's leadership in building Activision Blizzard into a successful company, despite his controversial tenure marked by allegations of harassment and discrimination lawsuits.
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick named to the board of post-merger Skydance
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has been appointed to the board of directors for the newly formed Skydance company, which resulted from the acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery. Skydance's media conglomerate includes a video game division that will merge Paramount Games Studio with WB's internal developers. Despite past controversies surrounding Activision Blizzard, Skydance chairman David Ellison praised Kotick's leadership and ability to build enduring franchises.
Electronic Arts' leveraged buyout faces a bondholder battle
Electronic Arts is facing a dispute with bondholders following its recent leveraged buyout by a consortium including the Public Investment Fund, Silver Lake, and Affinity Partners. The significant debt taken on for the acquisition may weaken EA's credit profile, prompting some bondholders to demand repayment exceeding 101 percent of the principal.
Skydance merges WB Games and Paramount Games Studio
Skydance has merged its gaming divisions, WB Games and Paramount Games Studio, under the leadership of Tony Driscoll. This consolidation brings together studios responsible for franchises like Batman: Arkham, Mortal Kombat, and Hogwarts Legacy. The article notes that it is unclear if this merger will result in layoffs or project cancellations.
Paramount Games Studio and WB Games merge under Skydance following completion of $111bn acquisition
Skydance has completed its $111 billion acquisition of Paramount, leading to the merger of Paramount Games Studio and Warner Bros. Games under the Skydance umbrella, with Tony Driscoll appointed to lead the combined gaming division. This strategic move aims to leverage intellectual property from both companies to build engagement across various media platforms, though the integration may involve difficult decisions.
State Of Decay 3 Was Announced Early To Keep Undead Labs On Microsoft’s Radar
State of Decay 3 developer Undead Labs announced the game early in 2020 to keep the project on Microsoft's radar during an acquisition spree, according to studio boss Philip Holt. The studio has since become independent and employee-owned. Holt explained that the early announcement was a strategic move to prevent the studio from being overlooked amidst Microsoft's acquisitions of companies like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.
Skydance Is Merging Paramount And Warner Bros.’ Game Studios Into One Unit
Skydance is merging Paramount's newly acquired Warner Bros. Interactive Entertainment with its own Paramount Games Studio. This new division will oversee projects based on Skydance's intellectual property, including franchises like Mortal Kombat, Game of Thrones, and DC Comics. Tony Driscoll will lead the division, which will also incorporate developers like Avalanche Software and NetherRealm Studios.
Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery operating under Skydance following completion of $111bn merger
Skydance has completed its $111 billion acquisition of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery, forming a new entity that will operate under the Skydance name. CEO David Ellison warned of "difficult decisions" and "impacts" during the integration process, aiming for over $6 billion in synergy savings. The company also launched Paramount Game Studio by merging Skydance Interactive and Skydance New Media, and now owns numerous game development studios and intellectual properties.
Evening Reading - October 6, 2026
This edition of Evening Reading covers a variety of gaming news, including the Paramount merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, new Fortnite collaborations from SteelSeries and KontrolFreek, and Aion 2's global launch reaching 400,000 concurrent players. It also touches on GameStop selling refurbished PS5 Pros, Supermassive Games' involvement in a The Conjuring game, and updates for Deadlock City Never Sleeps and Nintendo Switch Sports Resort.
Bobby Kotick joins Skydance board of directors
Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has joined the board of directors for Skydance, a new entity formed from a combination of Paramount and Warner Bros. Discovery. The article notes Kotick's controversial tenure at Activision Blizzard, citing allegations of workplace misconduct and underperformance of key franchises like Call of Duty.
State of Decay 3 Announced Early Because Studio Head Was Worried About Being “Swallowed Up” by Xbox
Undead Labs announced State of Decay 3 early to prevent the studio from being "swallowed up" by Microsoft's acquisition strategy. Studio head Philip Holt revealed that the decision was made to ensure their work would be recognized before potential divestment or being absorbed into a larger organization. The studio has since left the Microsoft umbrella, and development continues.
Xbox doesn't need the "console wars" – it has Hideo Kojima
Xbox is strategically leveraging its partnerships with Hideo Kojima for his upcoming games OD and Physint, turning Sony's alleged cancellation of a PlayStation exclusive into a significant gain for Xbox. This move capitalizes on Kojima's star power and fan loyalty, bolstering Xbox's image amidst its own corporate restructuring and Sony's controversial shift away from physical media.
Paramount closes merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, launching new entity Skydance (SKYD)
Paramount has successfully completed its merger with Warner Bros. Discovery, integrating WBD's media assets, including WB Games and its studios, under the new entity Skydance, which will trade under the SKYD symbol. The deal faced significant resistance due to concerns about market power and anti-competitive practices, though many legal challenges were settled out of court. The combined company aims to leverage the legacies of both Paramount and Warner Bros. to create new content.
Warner Bros. Games Now Belongs To Skydance, But Company Makes No Mention Of That In Big Announcement
Skydance has officially completed its acquisition of Warner Bros. Discovery, a deal valued at $111 billion. Notably, the company's announcement of the deal closing made no mention of its significant video game properties, despite CEO David Ellison stating he is a gamer. The acquisition is expected to lead to significant layoffs and restructuring within the company.
Disney president and CCO dismisses rumours of Epic Games buyout: "Those are not the conversations we are having right now"
Disney president and CCO Dana Walden has dismissed rumors of an Epic Games buyout, stating that the companies are focused on their existing partnership and upcoming collaborative content. Following Disney's $1.5 billion investment in Epic Games, both companies are working on integrating Disney franchises into Fortnite and other gaming experiences.
Disney Says Conversations About Buying Epic Games Are Not Happening 'Right Now'
Disney has denied current rumors suggesting interest in acquiring Epic Games, the developer of Fortnite. The company stated that conversations about such a purchase are not actively happening at this time.
After Warner Bros. and Paramount merge, the notable studios are getting a surprising new name
Warner Bros. and Paramount are merging into a new company named Skydance, as announced by Paramount CEO David Ellison. The $111 billion deal will see Paramount owning various brands including HBO Max, DC Comics, and Nickelodeon, with potential for HBO Max and Paramount Plus to combine into a single streaming service.
Batman, Lord of the Rings, and Harry Potter Feature in First Trailer for Skydance, the Newly Named Parent Company for a Merged Warner Bros. and Paramount
Skydance has been named the parent company for a merged Warner Bros. and Paramount. Franchises such as Batman, Lord of the Rings, Harry Potter, and Game of Thrones will fall under this new corporate structure.
Disney Responds To Rumor That It Could Buy Fortnite Studio Epic Games
Disney executive Dana Walden addressed rumors of a potential acquisition of Epic Games, stating that such conversations are not currently happening, despite Disney's existing $1.5 billion investment in the Fortnite studio. While a full buyout is not on the table, Disney and Epic are deepening their partnership with new game integrations and experiences planned.
