Activision Blizzard (ATVI) announced Friday that it is launching its own film and TV studio. The company’s new studio head and former Walt Disney (DIS) executive Nick Van Dyk is aware of the risks of diving into a hit-driven business, but Activision Blizzard’s model is not that, he says. Follow Elaine Low on Twitter @IBD_ELow.
Video game publisher Activision Blizzard (ATVI) is satisfying its sweet tooth for acquisitions by buying mobile game maker King Digital Entertainment (KING), best known for “Candy Crush Saga.” Activision announced late Monday that it has agreed to pay $18 in cash per share for London-based King, in a deal worth $5.9 billion. The offer is a 20% premium over King’s Friday closing price. King shares jumped 3.9% to 15.54 on Monday in heavy volume
The “World of Warcraft” and “StarCraft II” world championships are well underway, with the finals to take place — to the roar of cheering crowds — at the ninth annual BlizzCon in Anaheim, Calif., on Saturday. But will Activision Blizzard’s (ATVI) earnings and investor day be similarly met with cheers? Before Blizzard’s annual convention begins on Friday, the gaming heavyweight behind “Destiny,” “Diablo III” and other popular titles must first