Activision Blizzard announced that they will acquire Candy Crush Saga creator King Digital Entertainment for $5.9 billion USD, Business Wire has reported.
The acquisition will create one of the largest entertainment networks with over half a billion monthly active users in 196 countries, consisting of two of the most popular mobile games in Candy Crush Saga and Candy Crush Soda Saga.
The combined portfolio to encompass 10 of the world’s most iconic interactive entertainment franchises with Activision Blizzard, which remains the most profitable and successful standalone interactive entertainment company in the world.
King Shareholders to receive $18 per share representing a 20% premium over King’s October 30, 2015 closing price, 23% premium over King’s one month volume weighted average price per share, and 27% premium over King’s three month volume weighted average price per share.
Following the acquisition that us expected to take place in spring 2016, King will continue to be led as an independent operating unit by Chief Executive Officer Riccardo Zacconi, Chief Creative Officer Sebastian Knutsson, and Chief Operating Officer Stephane Kurgan.
