Microsoft’s recently announced acquisition of Activision Blizzard has offered an opportunity for controversy-laden CEO Bobby Kotick to speak regarding a variety of subjects. An obvious focus has been Kotick’s reasons for pursuing the acquisition in the first place, as well as what it means for Activision Blizzard’s individual companies and franchises. One surprisingcomment from Kotickhad to do with mobile game franchiseCandy Crush, how Kotick wanted it to change, and how Microsoft might be able to make that happen.Speaking with VentureBeat, Kotick was asked whether there was anything the combined Microsoft and Activision Blizzard might be able to accomplish that they wouldn’t be able to separately. Kotick delved into several of his ideas that Activision Blizzard was unable to realize alone. That includes Activision Blizzard lacking what Kotick described as enough “social capability” inCandy Crush. Kotick wanted to be able to create aCandy Crushexperience with multiplayer functionality, which he thinks might be able to be happen through Microsoft.RELATED:Image Shows All the Major Xbox Characters There Will Be After Activision AcquisitionThe full idea is that Kotick wanted aCandy Crushwhere players would be able to compete against each other. Kotick even wanted it to go further than simple matchmaking; he wanted to have fullvoice-over-IPand video-over-IP support as part of the game, allowing players to socialize while playingCandy Crushtogether.
Kotick doesn’t explain whyCandy Crushdidn’t ultimately move in this direction while under his purvey. In fact, King has only released one newCandy Crushgame since Activision’s acquisition of the mobile game studio in 2016, and it doesn’t feature any more or fewer social elements than previous games. It could be working on anewCandy Crushgamefor future release, though.
There’s no denying that Microsoft would be able to support those social features if King did want to makeCandy Crusha more social experience, however. Xbox Live provides a robust platform for social interaction, including voice support. Alternatively, Microsoft’s video over IP serviceSkypecould be used, if that’s a direction King wants to head in.
Candy Crushisn’t the only game that Kotick mentions in the interview, as he talks aboutGuitar HeroandSkylanders, too. He never really talks about how Microsoft will help these franchises, instead framing his answers as ideas of his that didn’t work out. He does acknowledge Microsoft’s many resources, though, saying that he believes those resources will “make a difference” in Activision Blizzard’s future.
Candy Crush Sagais available now on iOS and Android devices.
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