Take-Two CEO Strauss Zelnick: Microsoft Acquiring Activision Is a “Good Thing for the Industry”

With Microsoft’s pending acquisition of Activision-Blizzard now getting a bit ugly with accusations and whatnot, it looks like one person not opposed to it is Take-Two’s big cheese, Strauss Zelnick.

Speaking in a video interview with TheWrap, TheWrap’s Sharon Waxman asks, “consolidation is what’s happening in gaming with Microsoft buying Activision-Blizzard…I mean, I know that deal hasn’t closed yet, but I think most people think it’s going to close, right? You think it’s going to close?”

Zelnick replies, It’s hard to know; I can’t really predict what the regulators will do. We’re certainly of the belief that it’s a good thing for Microsoft and the industry. We’re in favor…” 

When asked why Zelnick thinks Microsoft acquiring Activison-Blizzard is a “good thing,” he responds saying, “Well, it’s up to the consumers to vote of course but because it’s a highly fragmented business and there’s plenty of room for creativity to go around, and Microsoft is an ally of ours, and if this makes their business more powerful, we think that’s good for us .”

You can watch the entire conversation with Zelnick below.

Do other video game CEO’s feel the same way? We can’t say for sure, though EA’s Andrew Wilson did mention that the uncertainty of the Call of Duty franchise’s exclusivity is a “tremendous opportunity” for their Battlefield franchise, so there’s that.

In other Take-Two news, Rockstar Games, which is owned by Take-Two, had to deal with a massive leak regarding Grand Theft Auto VI. Fortunately, the studio mentioned that development is proceeding as planned.

Top Games and Upcoming Releases