Microsoft Buys ‘Candy Crush’ Owner for Almost $70 Billion, Its Largest-Ever Deal

A Candy Crush game is seen on an iPad in Miami, Fla., on Nov. 3, 2015. It was announced today that game maker Activision Blizzard has paid $5.9 billion to purchase King, the parent company of games like Candy Crush Saga and Bubble Witch Saga. Joe Raedle/Getty Images

LOS ANGELES—Microsoft is reportedly buying gaming company Activision Blizzard—which has been in turmoil over allegations of misconduct and unequal pay—for $68.7 billion, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The deal will give Microsoft ownership of games like “Call of Duty” and “Candy Crush.” It will also provide a path for Microsoft to increase its presence in the mobile gaming arena and the metaverse or virtual environments.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is expected to retain his role, according to the Los Angeles Times.

The news of the sale comes after reports of sexual misconduct and harassment among the company’s executives.

Activision, on Jan. 17, said it fired dozens of executives after an investigation, according to a report on the CNBC website.

Kotick has faced calls to resign over the reports of misconduct and harassment.

Shares of Activision rose about 31 percent on the stock market Tuesday morning following the news of the deal. Microsoft shares fell nearly 2 percent following the announcement.

CNBC reported the purchase would be Microsoft’s largest acquisition to date. Microsoft purchased LinkedIn in 2016 for $26.2 billion, according to CNBC.