ATVI: Activision-Blizzard finishing buyback by Oct 15

Activision-Blizzard (ATVI) and an unnamed investment group are expected to finish the buyback of Activision-Blizzard from it’s current parent company, Vivendi, by October 15.

“Activision Blizzard, Inc. (NASDAQ: ATVI), a global leader in interactive entertainment, announced today that the Company expects to complete by October 15, 2013 the previously announced transactions with Vivendi, S.A. and ASAC II LP, pursuant to which the Company will acquire approximately 429 million Company shares and certain tax attributes from Vivendi for approximately $5.83 billion in cash or $13.60 per share.”

So what does this mean to gamers?

Whether you’re an investor or a gamer, it’s good news. While Vivendi seems to have stayed out of ATVI daily operations, ATVI was still, ultimately, answerable to the Vivendi CEO and their board. Vivendi is primarily a telecom company with no one with gaming experience at the helm. When Vivendi did make decisions that affected ATVI, it’s very likely they were pure business decision made without practical knowledge of the gaming industry. Once the buyback is complete, ATVI will once, again, be a gaming company run by gamers who are also good businessmen.

Think about that: “A gaming company run by gamers who are also good businessmen.” That means you’re more likely to see games that actually appeal to gamers. That’s going to mean more money for ATVI

If one thing is true in the gaming industry, it’s that Activision-Blizzard leads the way and, with few exceptions, the rest of the industry follows.

Yes, all and all this buyout is a good thing, for investors and for gamers.

(Disclosure: I do own stock in ATVI.)