Microsoft’s Activision-Blizzard acquisition may come with more hefty fees that weren’t previously considered. The $69 billion takeover is revealing more hidden costs that could push the overall budget even further. After the acquisition, Microsoft wanted to get to know more about the franchises it was taking over and then decide on how to go forward accordingly. One of the biggest franchises that Microsoft acquired is Overwatch.

Overwatch 2 is one of the most-played competitive games coming from Camp Activision-Blizzard. While the game hasn’t been able to match up to its predecessor’s reputation, it’s still incredibly popular. Overwatch League (OWL) is one of the most sought-after esports leagues and professional players look forward to the annual event to claim the top spot. However, the League’s future is in jeopardy and Microsoft might need to incur some extra losses to mitigate the complicay.

Microsoft hit with undesired cost even after spending billions

Activision-Blizzard probably has one of the largest fanbases in the gaming community. Its vast financial operations are also part of the game and Microsoft now needs to manage that unsavory part as well. Last month Activision approached 20 OWL teams to discuss what to do about the League’s future. All of the teams are yet to cast their vote but Microsoft has more bad news on the way. It’s largely speculated that the ultimate verdict will end the League being dissolved.

Microsoft may lose $120 million due to the Overwatch League shutdown
byu/Turbostrider27 inGames

This would need Activision to pay a total of $120 million to the 20 franchises. This, in turn, means Microsoft will essentially have to pay for Overwatch 2’s dwindling popularity. Overwatch 2 is one of those games that really, really couldn’t match up to their previous ones. Fans slammed the 2022 release as being just a 1.1 update. Its incredibly poor reception made the League’s contemporary popularity and hype plummet as well.

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The teams have allegedly paid over $7 million since 2017 to remain a part of the OWL. At that time, given how the Overwatch community has grown since the franchise’s first release, the League then seemed like a pretty neat idea. However, that decision has now levied the burden of extra millions on Microsoft to make sure the acquisition is finally complete.

Has another major tourney gone awry?

Tournaments being tainted isn’t something new. Like all sports, tournaments can also be smeared with allegations of wrongdoing. Major Fortnite tournaments have been slammed for doing nothing against cheaters. Blizzard also banned thousands of cheaters from its servers recently.

However, now that Blizzard’s failed product can’t be carried forward anymore, Microsoft might need to write one last paycheck before being handed over the keys. What news do you think the votes will bring to Microsoft? Share with us in the comments.

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