The merger between Activision and Vivendi has been officially completed, creating Activision Blizzard, the largest independent publisher within the industry.

Announced for the first time in December of 2007, the merger between Activision Inc. and Vivendi, has been finalized creating a force to be reckoned with in the gaming industry.

On July 10, 2008 the completion of the transaction was announced that creates "Activision Blizzard, as the world's most profitable pure-play online and console game publisher. Activision Blizzard was formed by combining Activision, one of the world's leading independent publishers of interactive entertainment and Vivendi Games, Vivendi's interactive entertainment business, which includes Blizzard Entertainment's 'World of Warcraft', the world's #1 subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game. Activision Blizzard will continue to operate as a public company traded on Nasdaq under the ticket ATVI."

In the official statement it is noted that Jean-Bernard Levy, CEO of Vivendi, said "We have created the world leader in online and console games with this transaction and the combined strengths of the two businesses offer immense growth potential. I am also very confident that, with the new leadership team in place, the new entity is perfectly positioned to take advantage of these rapidly developing markets across the globe."

In the same press release Rene Penisson, Chairman of Activision Blizzard added: "We are delighted that the merger has been completed. We are very excited about the opportunity for Activision Blizzard to create a broader entertainment software platform. We are leaders across North America and Europe and are creating a substantial footprint in the rapidly growing Asian market. We are determined to 'think big'!"

In the press release it is also noted that in addition to World of Warcraft, "the transaction brings together some of the world's leading entertainment franchises including Guitar Hero, the #1 family entertainment and #1 music based franchise; Call of Duty, the #1 first-person action franchise, Tony Hawk, the #1 action sports franchise, Spider-Man, the #1 Super Hero franchise, Cabela's, the #1 sports hunting franchise and two of the top-ten kids movie-based franchises, Shrek and Madagascar, for calendar year 2005 through 2007 according to the NPD Group, Chart Track and The GFK Group."