Table of Contents

UNITED STATES

SECURITIES AND EXCHANGE COMMISSION

Washington, D.C. 20549

FORM 10-Q

(Mark one)

x

QUARTERLY REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the Quarterly Period Ended September 30, 2017

2022

OR

o

TRANSITION REPORT PURSUANT TO SECTION 13 OR 15(d) OF THE SECURITIES EXCHANGE ACT OF 1934

For the transition period from                      to                     

Commission File Number 1-15839

atvi-20220930_g1.jpg
ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

Delaware

95-4803544

Delaware

95-4803544

(State or other jurisdiction of
incorporation or organization)

(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)

3100 Ocean Park2701 Olympic Boulevard Building B

Santa Monica, CA

CA

90405

90404

(Address of principal executive offices)

(Zip Code)

(310) 255-2000

(Registrant’s telephone number, including area code)


Securities registered pursuant to Section 12(b) of the Act:
Title of each classTrading Symbol(s)Name of each exchange on which registered
Common Stock, par value $0.000001 per shareATVIThe Nasdaq Global Select Market
Indicate by check mark whether the registrant:  (1) has filed all reports required to be filed by Section 13 or 15(d) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to file such reports), and (2) has been subject to such filing requirements for the past 90 days.  Yes 
x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant has submitted electronically and posted on its corporate Web site, if any, every Interactive Data File required to be submitted and posted pursuant to Rule 405 of Regulation S-T (§232.405 of this chapter) during the preceding 12 months (or for such shorter period that the registrant was required to submit and post such files).  Yes x  No o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, smaller reporting company, or an emerging growth company. See the definitions of “large accelerated filer”, “accelerated filer”, “smaller reporting company”, and “emerging growth company” in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act.

Large Accelerated Filerx

Non-accelerated FilerAccelerated Filero

Non-accelerated filer o (Do not check if a smaller reporting company)

Smaller reporting companyo

Emerging growth companyo

If an emerging growth company, indicate by check mark if the registrant has elected not to use the extended transition period for complying with any new or revised financial accounting standards provided pursuant to Section 13(a) of the Exchange Act. o

Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a shell company (as defined in Rule 12b-2 of the Exchange Act).  Yes o No x

The number of shares of the registrant’s Common Stock outstanding at October 26, 201731, 2022 was 756,099,455.

782,625,319.




Table of Contents

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

Table of Contents


9

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EXHIBIT INDEX

57

58

CERTIFICATIONS

2

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT


This Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q contains, or incorporates by reference, certainstatements reflecting our views about our future performance that constitute forward-looking statements within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995. Such statements consist of any statement other than a recitation of historical facts and include, but are not limited to: (1) projections of revenues, expenses, income or loss, earnings or loss per share, cash flow, or other financial items; (2) statements of our plans and objectives, including those related to releases of products or services;services and restructuring activities; (3) statements of future financial or operating performance;performance, including the impact of tax items thereon; (4) statements regarding the proposed transaction between Activision Blizzard, Inc. and (4)Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) (such transaction, “the proposed transaction with Microsoft”), including any statements regarding the expected timetable for completing the proposed transaction with Microsoft, the ability to complete the proposed transaction with Microsoft, and the expected benefits of the proposed transaction with Microsoft; and (5) statements of assumptions underlying such statements. Activision Blizzard, Inc. (“Activision Blizzard”) generally uses words such as “outlook,” “forecast,” “will,” “could,” “should,” “would,” “to be,” “plan,” “plans,“aims,” “believes,” “may,” “might,” “expects,” “intends,” “intends as,“seeks,” “anticipates,” “estimate,“estimates,” “future,” “positioned,” “potential,” “project,” “remain,” “scheduled,” “set to,” “subject to,” “upcoming”“upcoming,” and the negative version of these words and other similar words and expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risks, reflect management’s current expectations, estimates, and projections about our business, and are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict.

The company cautions


We caution that a number of important factors, many of which are beyond our control, could cause Activision Blizzard, Inc.’sour actual future results and other future circumstances to differ materially from those expressed in any forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: sales levelsthe risk that the proposed transaction with Microsoft may not be completed in a timely manner or at all, which may adversely affect our business and the price of our common stock; the failure to satisfy the conditions to the consummation of the proposed transaction with Microsoft, including the receipt of certain governmental and regulatory approvals; the occurrence of any event, change, or other circumstance that could give rise to the termination of the Agreement and Plan of Merger, dated as of January 18, 2022, by and among Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, and Anchorage Merger Sub Inc.’s, a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft (the “Merger Agreement”); the effect of the announcement or pendency of the proposed transaction with Microsoft on our business relationships, operating results, and business generally; risks that the proposed transaction with Microsoft disrupts our current plans and operations and potential difficulties in employee retention as a result of the proposed transaction with Microsoft; risks related to diverting management’s attention from ongoing business operations; the outcome of any legal proceedings that have been or may be instituted against us related to the Merger Agreement or the transactions contemplated thereby; restrictions during the pendency of the proposed transaction with Microsoft that may impact our ability to pursue certain business opportunities or strategic transactions; the potential for receipt of alternative acquisition proposals from potential acquirors; the global impact of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic and other macroeconomic factors (including, without limitation, the potential for significant short- and long-term global unemployment and economic weakness and a resulting impact on global discretionary spending; potential strain on the retailers, distributors, and manufacturers who sell our physical products to customers and the platform providers on whose networks and consoles certain of our games are available; effects on our ability to release our content in a timely manner and with effective quality control; effects on our ability to prevent cyber-security incidents while our workforce is dispersed; effects on the operations of our professional esports leagues; the impact of rising interest rates as a result of large-scale intervention by the Federal Reserve and other central banks around the world and other economic factors; increased demand for our games due to stay-at-home orders and curtailment of other forms of entertainment, which may not be sustained and may fluctuate as stay-at-home orders are reduced, lifted, and/or reinstated; macroeconomic impacts arising from the long duration of the COVID-19 pandemic, including labor shortages and supply chain disruptions; and volatility in foreign exchange rates); our ability to consistently deliver popular, high-quality titles products,in a timely manner, which has been made more difficult as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; our ability to satisfy the expectations of consumers with respect to our brands, games, services, and/or business practices; negative impacts on our business from concerns regarding our workplace; our ability to attract, retain, and services;motivate skilled personnel; competition; concentration of revenue among a small number of titles; Activision Blizzard, Inc.’s abilityfranchises; negative impacts from unionization or attempts to predict consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres and preferences among platforms; the diversion of management time and attention to issues relating to the operations ofunionize by our acquired or newly started businesses; the amount of our debt and the limitations imposed by the covenants in the agreements governing our debt; the adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software; counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors, and manufacturers; maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, financing providers, licensees, licensors, manufacturers, vendors, and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain, and develop key personnel and developers that can create high-quality titles, products, and services; risks relating to the expansion into new businesses, including the potential impact on our existing businesses; changing business models within the video game industry, including digital delivery of content and the increased prevalence of free-to-play games; product delays or defects; competition, including from other forms of entertainment;workforce; rapid changes in technology and industry standards; possible declinesincreasing importance of revenues derived from digital distribution channels; our ability to manage growth in software pricing; product returnsthe scope and price protection;complexity of our business; substantial influence of third-party platform providers over our products and costs; success and availability of video game consoles manufactured by third parties, including our ability to predict the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunitiesconsoles that will be most successful in the marketplace and potential challengesdevelop commercially-successful products for those consoles; risks associated with geographic expansion; the seasonalfree-to-play business model, including our dependence on a relatively small number of consumers for a significant portion of revenues and cyclical nature of the interactive entertainment market; the outcome of current or future tax disputes; litigationprofits from any given game; risks and associated costs;uncertainties of conducting business outside the United States (the “U.S.”), including the need for regulatory approval to operate, impacts on our business arising from the current conflict between Russia and Ukraine, the relatively weaker protection of proprietary rights; shifts in consumer spending trends; capital market risks;for our intellectual property rights, and the impact of applicable regulations; domesticcultural differences on consumer preferences; risks associated with the retail sales business model; difficulties in integrating acquired businesses or otherwise realizing the anticipated benefits of strategic transactions; the seasonality in the sale of our products; fluctuation in our recurring business; risks relating to behavior of our distributors, retailers, development, and international economic, financial,licensing partners, or other affiliated third parties that may harm our brands or business operations; our reliance on tools and political conditionstechnologies owned by third parties; risks associated with our use of open source software; risks associated with undisclosed content or features that may result in consumers’ refusal to buy or retailers’ refusal to sell our products; risks associated with objectionable consumer- or other third-party-created content; outages, disruptions or degradations in our services, products, and/or technological infrastructure; data breaches, fraudulent activity, and policies; tax ratesother cybersecurity risks; significant disruption during our live events; risks related to the impacts of catastrophic events; climate change; provisions in our corporate documents that may make it more difficult for any person to acquire control of our company; ongoing legal proceedings related to workplace concerns and foreign exchange rates;otherwise, including the impact of the current macroeconomic environment;complaint filed in 2021 by the California Civil Rights Department (formerly known as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing) alleging violations of the California Fair Employment and Housing Act and the California Equal Pay Act and separate investigations and complaints by other parties and regulators related to certain employment practices and related disclosures; successful implementation of the requirements of the court-approved consent decree with the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission; intellectual property claims; increasing regulation in key territories; regulation relating to the Internet, including potential harm from laws impacting “net neutrality;” regulation concerning data privacy, including China’s Personal Information Protection Law; scrutiny regarding the appropriateness of our games’ content, including ratings assigned by third parties; changes in tax rates and/or tax laws or exposure to additional tax liabilities; fluctuations in currency exchange rates; impacts of changes in financial accounting standards; insolvency or business failure of any of our business partners, which has been magnified as a result of the COVID-19 pandemic; risks associated with our reliance on consumer discretionary spending; risks associated with increased inflation on our costs and the impacts on consumer discretionary spending; and the other factors identified in “Risk Factors” included in Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

2021, filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”).


The forward-looking statements contained herein are based on information available to Activision Blizzard, Inc. as of the date of this filing, and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Actual events or results may differ from those expressed in forward-looking statements. Although theseAs such, you should not rely on forward-looking statements are believed to be true when made, theyas predictions of future events. We have based the forward-looking statements contained in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q primarily on our current expectations and projections about future events and trends that we believe may ultimately prove to be incorrect.affect our business, financial condition, operating results, prospects, strategy, and financial needs. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties, andand other factors, some of which are beyond our control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.


Activision Blizzard, Inc.’s names, abbreviations thereof, logos, and product and service designators are all either the registered or unregistered trademarks or trade names of Activision Blizzard, Inc. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners. All dollar amounts referred to in, or contemplated by, this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q refer to United StatesU.S. dollars unless otherwise explicitly stated to the contrary.



3

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PART I. FINANCIAL INFORMATION


Item 1. Financial Statements

(Unaudited)


ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions, except share data)

 

 

At September 30,
2017

 

At December 31,
2016

Assets

 

 

 

 

Current assets:

 

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

  $

3,576

 

  $

3,245

Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $172 and $261, at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

 

888

 

732

Inventories, net

 

94

 

49

Software development

 

377

 

412

Other current assets

 

451

 

392

Total current assets

 

5,386

 

4,830

Software development

 

114

 

54

Property and equipment, net

 

254

 

258

Deferred income taxes, net

 

439

 

283

Other assets

 

469

 

401

Intangible assets, net

 

1,292

 

1,858

Goodwill

 

9,764

 

9,768

Total assets

 

  $

17,718

 

  $

17,452

 

 

 

 

 

Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity

 

 

 

 

Current liabilities:

 

 

 

 

Accounts payable

 

  $

313

 

  $

222

Deferred revenues

 

1,373

 

1,628

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

703

 

806

Total current liabilities

 

2,389

 

2,656

Long-term debt, net

 

4,388

 

4,887

Deferred income taxes, net

 

40

 

44

Other liabilities

 

934

 

746

Total liabilities

 

7,751

 

8,333

Commitments and contingencies (Note 13)

 

 

 

 

Shareholders’ equity:

 

 

 

 

Common stock, $0.000001 par value, 2,400,000,000 shares authorized, 1,184,733,296 and 1,174,163,069 shares issued at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, respectively

 

 

Additional paid-in capital

 

10,671

 

10,442

Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 428,676,471 shares at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016

 

(5,563)

 

(5,563)

Retained earnings

 

5,501

 

4,869

Accumulated other comprehensive loss

 

(642)

 

(629)

Total shareholders’ equity

 

9,967

 

9,119

Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity

 

  $

17,718

 

  $

17,452

At September 30, 2022At December 31, 2021
Assets
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents$7,743 $10,423 
Held-to-maturity investments2,945 — 
Accounts receivable, net658 972 
Software development1,011 449 
Other current assets753 712 
Total current assets13,110 12,556 
Software development156 211 
Property and equipment, net171 169 
Deferred income taxes, net1,266 1,377 
Other assets541 497 
Intangible assets, net448 447 
Goodwill9,928 9,799 
Total assets$25,620 $25,056 
Liabilities and Shareholders’ Equity
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable$229 $285 
Deferred revenues979 1,118 
Accrued expenses and other liabilities1,070 1,008 
Total current liabilities2,278 2,411 
Long-term debt, net3,610 3,608 
Deferred income taxes, net98 506 
Other liabilities826 932 
Total liabilities6,812 7,457 
Commitments and contingencies (Note 17)
Shareholders’ equity:  
Common stock, $0.000001 par value, 2,400,000,000 shares authorized, 1,211,236,117 and 1,207,729,623 shares issued at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, respectively— — 
Additional paid-in capital12,192 11,715 
Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 428,676,471 shares at September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021(5,563)(5,563)
Retained earnings12,768 12,025 
Accumulated other comprehensive loss(589)(578)
Total shareholders’ equity18,808 17,599 
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity$25,620 $25,056 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

  $

384

 

  $

355

 

  $

1,373

 

  $

1,501

Subscription, licensing, and other revenues

 

1,234

 

1,213

 

3,601

 

3,093

Total net revenues

 

1,618

 

1,568

 

4,974

 

4,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues—product sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product costs

 

149

 

111

 

422

 

429

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses

 

37

 

42

 

200

 

250

Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game operations and distribution costs

 

249

 

237

 

717

 

620

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses

 

117

 

139

 

359

 

319

Product development

 

273

 

249

 

750

 

673

Sales and marketing

 

345

 

340

 

899

 

830

General and administrative

 

191

 

156

 

539

 

486

Total costs and expenses

 

1,361

 

1,274

 

3,886

 

3,607

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

257

 

294

 

1,088

 

987

Interest and other expense (income), net

 

37

 

63

 

121

 

181

Income before income tax expense

 

220

 

231

 

967

 

806

Income tax expense

 

32

 

32

 

109

 

93

Net income

 

  $

188

 

  $

199

 

  $

858

 

  $

713

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Earnings per common share

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

  $

0.25

 

  $

0.27

 

  $

1.14

 

  $

0.96

Diluted

 

  $

0.25

 

  $

0.26

 

  $

1.12

 

  $

0.94

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Basic

 

755

 

742

 

753

 

739

Diluted

 

766

 

756

 

764

 

753

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Dividends per common share

 

  $

 

  $

 

  $

0.30

 

  $

0.26


 For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2022202120222021
Net revenues
Product sales$231 $423 $921 $1,666 
In-game, subscription, and other revenues1,551 1,647 4,273 4,974 
Total net revenues1,782 2,070 5,194 6,640 
Costs and expenses
Cost of revenues—product sales:
Product costs107 120 279 375 
Software royalties and amortization72 153 272 
Cost of revenues—in-game, subscription, and other:
Game operations and distribution costs343 307 948 925 
Software royalties and amortization43 28 86 87 
Product development277 329 935 1,016 
Sales and marketing287 244 801 727 
General and administrative229 143 693 614 
Restructuring and related costs(3)46 
Total costs and expenses1,297 1,246 3,892 4,062 
Operating income485 824 1,302 2,578 
Interest and other (income) expense, net (Note 13)
(15)65 16 52 
Income before income tax expense500 759 1,286 2,526 
Income tax expense65 120 176 391 
Net income$435 $639 $1,110 $2,135 
Earnings per common share
Basic$0.56 $0.82 $1.42 $2.75 
Diluted$0.55 $0.82 $1.41 $2.72 
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
Basic782 778 781 777 
Diluted789 783 788 784 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

5

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

Net income

 

  $

188

 

  $

199

 

  $

858

 

  $

713

Other comprehensive income (loss):

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency translation adjustment

 

9

 

 

36

 

(20)

Unrealized gains (losses) on forward contracts designated as hedges, net of tax

 

(8)

 

(4)

 

(45)

 

Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax

 

(3)

 

 

(4)

 

Total other comprehensive loss

 

  $

(2)

 

  $

(4)

 

  $

(13)

 

  $

(20)

Comprehensive income

 

  $

186

 

  $

195

 

  $

845

 

  $

693


 For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2022202120222021
Net income$435 $639 $1,110 $2,135 
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustments, net of tax(38)(14)(64)(8)
Unrealized gains (losses) on forward contracts designated as hedges, net of tax26 14 34 40 
Unrealized gains (losses) on available-for-sale securities, net of tax14 19 
Total other comprehensive income (loss)$$$(11)$35 
Comprehensive income$437 $645 $1,099 $2,170 

The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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Table of Contents

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions)

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2017

 

2016

Cash flows from operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

  $

 858

 

  $

 713

Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:

 

 

 

 

Deferred income taxes

 

(138)

 

(200)

Provision for inventories

 

9

 

29

Depreciation and amortization

 

670

 

584

Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses (1)

202

 

248

Amortization of debt discount, financing costs, and non-cash write-off due to extinguishment of debt

 

22

 

26

Share-based compensation expense (2)

 

118

 

107

Other

 

15

 

Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect from business acquisitions:

 

 

 

 

Accounts receivable, net

 

(140)

 

395

Inventories

 

(50)

 

(32)

Software development and intellectual property licenses

 

(227)

 

(295)

Other assets

 

(70)

 

85

Deferred revenues

 

(320)

 

(396)

Accounts payable

 

78

 

(76)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

28

 

108

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

1,055

 

1,296

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from investing activities:

 

 

 

 

Purchases of available-for-sale investments

 

(80)

 

Acquisition of King, net of cash acquired (see Note 14)

 

 

(4,588)

Release of cash in escrow

 

 

3,561

Capital expenditures

 

(86)

 

(99)

Other investing activities

 

10

 

(24)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(156)

 

(1,150)

 

 

 

 

 

Cash flows from financing activities:

 

 

 

 

Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees

 

150

 

86

Tax payment related to net share settlements on restricted stock units

 

(44)

 

(76)

Dividends paid

 

(226)

 

(195)

Proceeds from debt issuances, net of discounts

 

3,741

 

6,878

Repayment of long-term debt

 

(4,251)

 

(4,604)

Other financing activities

 

(10)

 

(6)

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(640)

 

2,083

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents

 

72

 

(23)

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

331

 

2,206

Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period

 

3,245

 

1,823

Cash and cash equivalents at end of period

 

  $

 3,576

 

  $

 4,029

 For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20222021
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income$1,110 $2,135 
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes(302)(82)
Non-cash operating lease cost56 46 
Depreciation and amortization78 88 
Amortization of capitalized software development costs (1)141 256 
Share-based compensation expense (2)301 259 
Realized and unrealized gain on equity investment(36)
Other(38)(3)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect of business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net297 462 
Software development(527)(303)
Other assets(30)(88)
Deferred revenues(124)(818)
Accounts payable(46)(46)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities175 (117)
Net cash provided by operating activities1,097 1,753 
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments36 120 
Proceeds from sale of available-for-sale investments26 66 
Purchases of available-for-sale investments(109)(248)
Purchases of held-to-maturity investments(2,944)— 
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired (Note 4)
(135)— 
Capital expenditures(67)(59)
Other investing activities— 20 
Net cash used in investing activities(3,193)(101)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees41 78 
Tax payment related to net share settlements on restricted stock units(147)(246)
Dividends paid(367)(365)
Net cash used in financing activities(473)(533)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents(100)(35)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash(2,669)1,084 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period10,438 8,652 
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period$7,769 $9,736 

(1)Excludes deferral and amortization of share-based compensation expense.

expense, including liability awards accounted for under Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) 718.

(2)Includes the net effects of capitalization, deferral, and amortization of share-based compensation expense.

expense, including liability awards accounted for under ASC 718.


The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY

For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

2022

(Unaudited)

(Amounts and shares in millions, except per share data)

 

 

Common Stock

 

Treasury Stock

 

Additional
Paid-In

 

Retained

 

Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive

 

Total
Shareholders’

 

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Shares

 

Amount

 

Capital

 

Earnings

 

Income (Loss)

 

Equity

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

1,174

 

 $

 

(429)

 

 $

(5,563)

 

 $

10,442

 

 $

4,869

 

 $

(629)

 

 $

9,119

Components of comprehensive income:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Net income

 

 

 

 

 

 

858

 

 

858

Other comprehensive loss

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

(13)

 

(13)

Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options

 

10

 

 

 

 

150

 

 

 

150

Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units

 

2

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability

 

(1)

 

 

 

 

(43)

 

 

 

(43)

Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock rights

 

 

 

 

 

122

 

 

 

122

Dividends ($0.30 per common share)

 

 

 

 

 

 

(226)

 

 

(226)

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

1,185

 

 $

 

(429)

 

 $

(5,563)

 

 $

10,671

 

 $

5,501

 

 $

(642)

 

 $

9,967

 Common StockTreasury StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 20211,208 $ (429)$(5,563)$11,715 $12,025 $(578)$17,599 
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income— — — — — 395 — 395 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — — (8)(8)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options— — — — 15 — — 15 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units— — — — — — — 
Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability(2)— — — (131)— — (131)
Settlement of liability-classified awards in restricted stock units (Note 11)
— — — — 204 — — 204 
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units— — — — 124 — — 124 
Dividends ($0.47 per common share)— — — — — (367)— (367)
Balance at March 31, 20221,210 $ (429)$(5,563)$11,927 $12,053 $(586)$17,831 
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income— — — — — 280 — 280 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — — —��— (5)(5)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options— — — 22 — — 22 
Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability— — — — (9)— — (9)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units— — — — 129 — — 129 
Balance at June 30, 20221,211 $ (429)$(5,563)$12,069 $12,333 $(591)$18,248 
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income— — — — — 435 — 435 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — — 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options— — — — — — 
Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability— — — — (8)— — (8)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units— — — — 127 — — 127 
Balance at September 30, 20221,211 $ (429)$(5,563)$12,192 $12,768 $(589)$18,808 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS’ EQUITY
For the Three and Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
(Unaudited)
(Amounts and shares in millions, except per share data)
 Common StockTreasury StockAdditional
Paid-In
Capital
Retained
Earnings
Accumulated
Other
Comprehensive
Income (Loss)
Total
Shareholders’
Equity
 SharesAmountSharesAmount
Balance at December 31, 20201,203 $ (429)$(5,563)$11,531 $9,691 $(622)$15,037 
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income— — — — — 619 — 619 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — — 22 22 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options— — — 33 — — 33 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units— — — — — — — 
Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability(2)— — — (165)— — (165)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units— — — — 150 — — 150 
Dividends ($0.47 per common share)— — — — — (365)— (365)
Balance at March 31, 20211,206 $ (429)$(5,563)$11,549 $9,945 $(600)$15,331 
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income— — — — — 876 — 876 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — — 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options— — — — 33 — — 33 
Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability— — — — (7)— — (7)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units— — — — 46 — — 46 
Balance at June 30, 20211,206 $ (429)$(5,563)$11,621 $10,821 $(593)$16,286 
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income— — — — — 639 — 639 
Other comprehensive income (loss)— — — — — — 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options— — — — 12 — — 12 
Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units— — — — — — — 
Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability(1)— — — (73)— — (73)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units— — — — 80 — — 80 
Balance at September 30, 20211,207 $ (429)$(5,563)$11,640 $11,460 $(587)$16,950 
The accompanying notes are an integral part of these Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.
9

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES
Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements

(Unaudited)


1.Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation


Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content and services. We develop and distribute content and services across all of the major gaming platforms, includingon video game consoles, personal computers (“PC”PCs”), and mobile devices. We also operate esports leagues and offer digital advertising within some of our content. The terms “Activision Blizzard,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used to refer collectively to Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The


Merger Agreement

On January 18, 2022, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) and Anchorage Merger Sub Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Microsoft agreed to acquire the Company was originally incorporatedfor $95.00 per issued and outstanding share of our common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, in California in 1979an all-cash transaction. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, following consummation of the merger of Merger Sub with and was reincorporated in Delaware in December 1992. We areinto the Company (the “Merger”), the Company will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft. As a result of the 2008Merger, we will cease to be a publicly traded company. We have agreed to various customary covenants and agreements, including, among others, agreements to conduct our business combinationin the ordinary course during the period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the effective time of the Merger (the “Business Combination”“Effective Time”). We do not believe these restrictions will prevent us from meeting our debt service obligations, ongoing costs of operations, working capital needs or capital expenditure requirements. The consummation of the Merger remains subject to customary closing conditions, including satisfaction of certain regulatory approvals. On April 28, 2022, the Company’s stockholders adopted the Merger Agreement at a special meeting of stockholders. The Merger is currently expected to close in Microsoft’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

For additional information related to the Merger Agreement, please refer to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the SEC on March 21, 2022, as supplemented by and among the Company (then knownCurrent Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2022, as Activision, Inc.), Vivendi S.A. (“Vivendi”)well as Part I Item 1 “Business” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and Vivendi Games, Inc. (“Vivendi Games”), an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi. Inother relevant materials in connection with the consummation of the Business Combination, Activision, Inc. was renamed Activision Blizzard, Inc.

The common stock of Activision Blizzard is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol “ATVI.”

The King Acquisition

On February 23, 2016 (the “King Closing Date”),proposed transaction with Microsoft that we acquired King Digital Entertainment, a leading interactive mobile entertainment company (“King”), by purchasing all of its outstanding shares (the “King Acquisition”), as further described in Note 14. Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of King commencing on the King Closing Date.

Our Segments

As part of the continued implementation of our esports strategy, we instituted changes to our internal organization and reporting structure such that the Major League Gaming (“MLG”) business now operates as a division of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”). As such, commencingwill file with the second quarter of 2017, MLG, which was previously a separate operating segment, is now a component ofSEC and that will contain important information about the Blizzard operating segment. MLG is responsible forCompany and the operations of the Overwatch LeagueTM, along with other esports events, and will also continue to serve as a multi-platform network for Activision Blizzard esports content.

Merger.


Our Segments

Based upon our organizational structure, we conduct our business through three reportable segments, as follows:

(i) Activision Publishing, Inc.

Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Activision”) is a leading global developer and publishereach of interactive software products and entertainment content, particularly in console gaming. Activision primarily delivers content through retail and digital channels, including full-game and in-game sales, as well as licenses of software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Activision products. Activision develops, markets, and sells products which are principally based on our internally-developed intellectual properties, as well as some licensed properties. We have also established a long-term alliance with Bungie to publish its game universe, Destiny.

Activision’s key product franchises include: Call of Duty®, a first-person shooter for the console and PC platforms; Destiny, an online universe of first-person action gameplay (which we call a “shared-world shooter”) for console and PC platforms; and Skylanders®, a franchise geared towards children that brings physical toys to life digitally in the game, primarily for console platforms.

(ii) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Blizzard is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive software products and entertainment content, particularly in PC gaming. Blizzard primarily delivers content through retail and digital channels, including subscriptions, full-game, and in-game sales, as well as licenses of software to third-party or related party companies that distribute Blizzard products. Blizzard also maintains a proprietary online gaming service which facilitates digital distribution of Blizzard content, online social connectivity across all Blizzard games, and the creation of user-generated content for Blizzard’s games. As noted above, Blizzard also includes the activities of our MLG business, which is devoted to esports.

Blizzard’s key product franchises include: World of Warcraft®, a subscription-based massive multi-player online role-playing game for the PC; StarCraft®, a real-time strategy PC franchise; Diablo®, an action role-playing franchise for the PC and console platforms; Hearthstone®, an online collectible card franchise for the PC and mobile platforms; Heroes of the Storm®, a free-to-play team brawler for the PC; and Overwatch®, a team-based first-person shooter for the PC and console platforms.

(iii) King Digital Entertainment

King is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content and services particularlybased primarily on our internally-developed intellectual properties.


(i) Activision Publishing, Inc.

Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Activision”) delivers content through both premium and free-to-play offerings and primarily generates revenue from full-game and in-game sales, as well as by licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Activision products. Activision’s key product offerings include titles and content for Call of Duty®, a first-person action franchise. Activision also includes the activities of the Call of Duty League™, a global professional esports league with city-based teams.

(ii) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”) delivers content through both premium and free-to-play offerings and primarily generates revenue from full-game and in-game sales, subscriptions, and by licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Blizzard products. Blizzard also maintains a proprietary online gaming platform, Battle.net®, which facilitates digital distribution of Blizzard content and selected Activision content, online social connectivity, and the creation of user-generated content. Blizzard’s key product offerings include titles and content for: the Warcraft® franchise, which includes World of Warcraft®, a subscription-based massive multi-player online role-playing game, and Hearthstone®, an online collectible card game based in the Warcraftuniverse; Diablo® in the action role-playing genre; and Overwatch® in the team-based first-person action genre. Blizzard also includes the activities of the Overwatch League™, a global professional esports league with city-based teams.

10


(iii) King Digital Entertainment

King Digital Entertainment (“King”) delivers content through free-to-play offerings and primarily generates revenue from in-game sales and in-game advertising on mobile platforms, such as Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. King also distributes its content and services on online social platforms, such as Facebook and the king.com websites. King’s games are free-to-play, however, players can acquire in-game items, either with virtual currency the players purchase or directly using real currency.

platforms. King’s key product franchises, all of which areofferings include titles and content for the PC and mobile platforms, include: Candy Crush™, which featuresa “match three” games; Farm Heroes™, which also features “match three” games; Pet Rescue™, which is a “clicker” game; and Bubble Witch™, which features “bubble shooter” games.

franchise.


Other


We also engage in other businesses that do not represent reportable segments, including:

·                  the Activision Blizzard Studios (“Studios”) business, which is devoted to creating original film and television content based on our library of globally recognized intellectual properties, and which, in October 2017, released the second season of the animated TV series SkylandersAcademy on Netflix; and

·including the Activision Blizzard Distribution (“Distribution”) business, which consists of operations in Europe that provide warehousing, logistics, and sales distribution services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations, and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware.


Basis of Consolidation and Presentation


The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”)SEC and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim reporting. Accordingly, certain notes or other information that are normally required by U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted if they substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in our annual audited consolidated financial statements. TheAdditionally, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

2021.


The preparation of the condensed consolidated financial statements in conformity with U.S. GAAP requires management to make estimates and assumptions that affect the amounts reported in the condensed consolidated financial statements and accompanying notes. In the opinion of management, all adjustments (consisting of normal recurring accruals) considered necessary for the fair statement of our financial position and results of operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions.


The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior year amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

The Company considers events or transactions that occur after the balance sheet date, but before the financial statements are issued, to provide additional evidence relative to certain estimates or to identify matters that require additional disclosures.

Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Non-cash Investing and Financing activities

For the nine months ended September 30, 2016, we had non-cash purchase price consideration of $89 million related to vested and unvested stock options and awards that were assumed and replaced with Activision Blizzard equity or deferred cash awards in the King Acquisition. Refer to Note 14 for further discussion.


2.Inventories, Net

Inventories, net, consist of the following (amounts in millions):

 

 

At September 30, 2017

 

At December 31, 2016

 

Finished goods

 

  $

80

 

  $

40

 

Purchased parts and components

 

14

 

9

 

Inventories, net

 

  $

94

 

  $

49

 

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, inventory reserves were $21 million and $45 million, respectively.

3.Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses

The following table summarizes the components of our


Our total capitalized software development costs (amounts in millions):

 

 

At September 30, 2017

 

At December 31, 2016

 

Internally-developed software costs

 

  $

266

 

  $

277

 

Payments made to third-party software developers

 

225

 

189

 

Total software development costs

 

  $

491

 

  $

466

 

Asof $1.2 billion and $660 million as of September 30, 20172022 and December 31, 2016, intellectual property licenses were not material2021, respectively, primarily relate to our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

internal development costs.


Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses was as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses

 

  $

34

 

  $

47

 

  $

206

 

  $

260

 

4.


 For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2022202120222021
Amortization of capitalized software development costs$$71 $148 $270 

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3. Intangible Assets, Net


Intangible assets, net, consist of the following (amounts in millions):

 

 

At September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Estimated useful
lives

 

Gross carrying
amount

 

Accumulated
amortization

 

Net carrying
amount

 

Acquired definite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internally-developed franchises

 

3 - 11 years

 

  $

1,154

 

  $

(799)

 

  $

355

 

Developed software

 

2 - 5 years

 

601

 

(264)

 

337

 

Customer base

 

2 years

 

617

 

(497)

 

120

 

Trade names

 

7 - 10 years

 

54

 

(14)

 

40

 

Other

 

1 - 15 years

 

19

 

(12)

 

7

 

Total definite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

  $

2,445

 

  $

(1,586)

 

  $

859

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision trademark

 

Indefinite

 

 

 

 

 

386

 

Acquired trade names

 

Indefinite

 

 

 

 

 

47

 

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  $

433

 

Total intangible assets, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  $

1,292

 

 

 

At December 31, 2016

 

 

 

Estimated useful
lives

 

Gross carrying
amount

 

Accumulated
amortization

 

Net carrying
amount

 

Acquired definite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Internally-developed franchises

 

3 - 11 years

 

  $

1,154

 

  $

(583)

 

  $

571

 

Developed software

 

3 - 5 years

 

595

 

(145)

 

450

 

Customer base

 

2 years

 

617

 

(266)

 

351

 

Trade names

 

7 - 10 years

 

54

 

(8)

 

46

 

Other

 

1 - 8 years

 

18

 

(11)

 

7

 

Total definite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

  $

2,438

 

  $

(1,013)

 

  $

1,425

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision trademark

 

Indefinite

 

 

 

 

 

386

 

Acquired trade names

 

Indefinite

 

 

 

 

 

47

 

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  $

433

 

Total intangible assets, net

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

  $

1,858

 

Amortization expense


 At September 30, 2022
 Estimated
useful
lives
Gross
carrying
amount
Accumulated
amortization
Net
carrying
amount
Acquired definite-lived intangible assets (1):
Trade names and other1-10 years$90 $(75)$15 
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: 
Activision trademarkIndefinite$386 
Acquired trade namesIndefinite47 
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets$433 
Total intangible assets, net$448 

(1) Beginning with the first quarter of 2022, the balances of the internally-developed franchises intangible assets was $188 millionhave been removed as such amounts were fully amortized in the prior year.

 At December 31, 2021
 Estimated
useful
lives
Gross
carrying
amount
Accumulated
amortization
Net carrying
amount
Acquired definite-lived intangible assets:
Internally-developed franchises3-11 years$1,154 $(1,154)$— 
Trade names and other1-10 years80 (66)14 
Total definite-lived intangible assets$1,234 $(1,220)$14 
Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: 
Activision trademarkIndefinite$386 
Acquired trade namesIndefinite47 
Total indefinite-lived intangible assets$433 
Total intangible assets, net$447 

4. Goodwill and $573 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively. Amortization expense of intangible assets was $211 million and $496 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively.

At September 30, 2017, future amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated as follows (amounts in millions):

2017 (remaining three months)

 

  $

186

 

2018

 

364

 

2019

 

216

 

2020

 

72

 

2021

 

11

 

Thereafter

 

10

 

Total

 

  $

859

 

5.Goodwill

Acquisitions


The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment for the nine months endedat both September 30, 2017, are2022 and December 31, 2021, was as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

Activision

 

Blizzard (1)

 

King

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2016 (1)

 

  $

6,903

 

  $

190 

 

  $

2,675 

 

  $

9,768 

 

Other

 

(4)

 

— 

 

— 

 

(4)

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

  $

6,899

 

  $

190 

 

  $

2,675 

 

  $

9,764 

 


 ActivisionBlizzardKingTotal
Balance at December 31, 2021$6,933 $190 $2,676 $9,799 
Additions through acquisition (1)— 98 33 131 
Other(2)— — (2)
Balance at September 30, 2022$6,931 $288 $2,709 $9,928 

(1)               As a result The Company completed the acquisition of two businesses to acquire 100% of the changevoting equity interests during June 2022:

Proletariat Inc. (“Proletariat”), a privately held game development studio based in Boston, Massachusetts, was acquired by Blizzard to increase developer resources for the Warcraft franchise.

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Table of Contents


Peltarion AB (“Peltarion”), a privately held artificial intelligence (“AI”) software company based in Stockholm, Sweden, was acquired by King to acquire AI and machine learning talent and a machine learning operations platform that will accelerate the current use of AI and machine learning technology in King’s game platform.

The total purchase price for these acquisitions was $152 million utilizing cash on hand. The value to the Company of both of these acquisitions is primarily in the assembled workforce of the acquired businesses and therefore the majority of the value for each acquisition has been recognized as goodwill. Goodwill attributed to the acquired businesses is not expected to be tax-deductible. The fair values assigned to assets acquired and liabilities assumed are based on management’s best estimates and assumptions as of September 30, 2022 and are considered preliminary, pending finalization of our valuation of these assets and liabilities.

The results of operations of Proletariat and Peltarion, in each case, since the date of acquisition, are included in our operating segments discussed in Note 1, goodwillcondensed consolidated financial statements. Pro forma results of $12 million previously reported withinoperations have not been presented because the “Other segments” is now includedeffect of the acquisitions are not material to our condensed consolidated statements of operations, either individually or in the “Blizzard” reportable segment. The prior period balance has been revised to reflect this change.

6.aggregate.


5. Fair Value Measurements


The Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) literature regarding fair value measurements for certain assets and liabilities establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of “observable inputs” and minimize the use of “unobservable inputs.” The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows:

·


Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities;

·


Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and

·


Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs.


13

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis


The table below segregates all of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date (amounts in millions):

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2017
Using

 

 

 

 

As of
September 30,
2017

 

Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Balance Sheet Classification

Financial Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recurring fair value measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

  $

3,355

 

  $

3,355

 

  $

 

  $

 

Cash and cash equivalents

Foreign government treasury bills

 

49

 

49

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

U.S. treasuries and government agency securities

 

80

 

80

 

 

 

Other current assets

Total recurring fair value measurements

 

  $

3,484

 

  $

3,484

 

  $

 

  $

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Financial liabilities:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges

 

  $

(10)

 

  $

 

  $

(10)

 

  $

 

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

 

 

 

 

Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2016
Using

 

 

 

 

 

As of
December 31,
2016

 

Quoted
Prices in
Active
Markets for
Identical
Assets
(Level 1)

 

Significant
Other
Observable
Inputs
(Level 2)

 

Significant
Unobservable
Inputs
(Level 3)

 

Balance Sheet Classification

 

Financial Assets:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Recurring fair value measurements:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Money market funds

 

  $

2,921

 

  $

2,921

 

  $

 

  $

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

Foreign government treasury bills

 

38

 

38

 

 

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges

 

22

 

 

22

 

 

Other current assets

 

Auction rate securities (“ARS”)

 

9

 

 

 

9

 

Other assets

 

Total recurring fair value measurements

 

  $

2,990

 

  $

2,959

 

  $

22

 

  $

9

 

 

 

ARS represented the only Level 3 investment held by the Company as


 Fair Value Measurements at September 30, 2022 Using
 As of September 30, 2022Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Balance Sheet
Classification
Financial Assets:     
Recurring fair value measurements:    
Money market funds$7,367 $7,367 $— $— Cash and cash equivalents
Available-for-sale foreign government treasury bills19 19 — — Cash and cash equivalents
Available-for-sale U.S. treasuries and government agency securities176 176 — — Other current assets
Equity securities44 44 — — Other current assets
Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges64 — 64 — Other current assets & Other assets
Total$7,670 $7,606 $64 $—  

 Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2021 Using 
 As of December 31, 2021Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets
(Level 1)
Significant Other Observable Inputs
(Level 2)
Significant Unobservable Inputs
(Level 3)
Balance Sheet
Classification
Financial Assets:
Recurring fair value measurements:     
Money market funds$10,035 $10,035 $— $— Cash and cash equivalents
Available-for-sale foreign government treasury bills34 34 — — Cash and cash equivalents
Available-for-sale U.S. treasuries and government agency securities130 130 — — Other current assets
Equity securities50 50 — — Other current assets
Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges20 — 20 — Other current assets
Total$10,269 $10,249 $20 $— 

14

Table of December 31, 2016. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we sold our ARS investment. The realized gain on the sale of this investment was not material.

Contents



Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we did not have any outstanding foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges.


Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Designated as Hedges (“Cash Flow Hedges”)

At September 30, 2017, the


The total gross notional amountamounts and fair values of outstandingour Cash Flow Hedges, was approximately $328 million. The fair value of these contracts, all of which havegenerally had remaining maturities of 1514 months or less was $10 millionas of net unrealized losses. At September 30, 2017, we had approximately $6 million of net realized but unrecognized losses recorded within “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” associated with contracts that had settled but were deferred and will be amortized into earnings, along with the associated hedged revenues. Such amounts will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

At December 31, 2016, the gross notional amount of outstanding Cash Flow Hedges was approximately $346 million. The fair value of these contracts was $22 million of net unrealized gains2022, are as of December 31, 2016.

Duringfollows (amounts in millions):


As of September 30, 2022As of December 31, 2021
Notional amountFair value gain (loss)Notional amountFair value gain (loss)
Foreign Currency:
Buy USD, Sell EUR$519 $64 $382 $20 

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172022 and 2016, there was no ineffectiveness relating to our Cash Flow Hedges. The amount of2021, pre-tax net realized gains (losses) associated with these contractsour Cash Flow Hedges that were reclassified out of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and into earnings waswere not material.

Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis


6. Held-to-Maturity Investments

We measuredetermine the classification of investments (e.g. held-to-maturity, available-for-sale or trading) in debt securities at the time of purchase and reevaluate such designation as of each reporting period. Investments in debt securities are designated as held-to-maturity when we have the positive intent and ability to hold the securities to maturity. Held-to-maturity investments are carried at amortized cost. Interest and amortization of discounts and premiums, which is computed under the effective interest method, are included in “Interest and other (income) expense, net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

When the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurringan investment classified as held-to-maturity is less than its amortized cost, we assess whether or not (i) we have the intent to sell the instrument or (ii) it is more likely than not that we will be required to sell the instrument before its anticipated recovery. If either of these conditions is met, we recognize an other-than-temporary impairment for the difference between the instrument’s amortized cost basis generally annuallyand its fair value, and include such amounts in “Interest and other (income) expense, net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.

The following table summarizes the Company's held-to-maturity investments at September 30, 2022 (amount in millions):

 Amortized CostGross Unrealized GainsGross Unrealized lossesEstimated Fair Value
(Level 1)
U.S. treasuries and government agency securities$2,945 $— $— $2,945 

At September 30, 2022, all contractual maturities of held-to-maturity investments were less than 12 months and amortized costs of these investments approximates fair value.

7. Deferred Revenues

We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received or when events or changesdue in circumstances indicate that the carrying amountadvance of the assets may not be recoverable.

fulfillment of our associated performance obligations. The aggregate of the current and non-current balances of deferred revenues as of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2021, were $1.0 billion and $1.1 billion, respectively. For the nine months ended September 30, 2022, the additions to our deferred revenues balance were primarily due to cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, while the reductions to our deferred revenues balance were primarily due to the recognition of revenues upon fulfillment of our performance obligations, all of which were in the ordinary course of business. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 20172022, $30 million and 2016, there$1.0 billion, respectively, of revenues were no impairment charges relatedrecognized that were included in the deferred revenues balance at December 31, 2021. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2021, $87 million and $1.7 billion, respectively, of revenues were recognized that were included in the deferred revenues balance at December 31, 2020.


15

Table of Contents


As of September 30, 2022, the aggregate amount of contracted revenues allocated to assetsour unsatisfied performance obligations was $1.5 billion, which included our deferred revenues balances and amounts to be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. We expect to recognize approximately $1.4 billion over the next 12 months and approximately $0.1 billion in the subsequent 12-month period. This balance did not include an estimate for variable consideration arising from sales-based royalty license revenue in excess of the contractual minimum guarantee or any estimated amounts of variable consideration that are measured on a non-recurring basis.

7.subject to constraint in accordance with the revenue accounting standard.


8. Debt


Credit Facilities

At


As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2016,2021, we had outstanding term loans “A” of approximately $2.7$1.5 billion (the “2016 TLA”) and $250 million available under a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) pursuant to a credit agreement executedentered into on October 11, 2013 (as amended thereafter and from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”).

On February 3, 2017, To date, we entered into a sixth amendment (the “Sixth Amendment”) to the Credit Agreement. The Sixth Amendment: (i) provided for a new tranche of term loans “A” in an aggregate principal amount of $2.55 billion (the “2017 TLA” and, together withhave not drawn on the Revolver the “Credit Facilities”) and (ii) released each of our subsidiary guarantors from their respective guarantees provided under the Credit Agreement. All proceeds of the 2017 TLA, together with additional cash on hand of $139 million, were used to fully retire the 2016 TLA, including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The terms of the 2017 TLA, other than the absence of the subsidiary guarantees, are generally the same as the terms of the 2016 TLA. The fees incurred as a result of the Sixth Amendment were not material. The 2017 TLA will mature on August 23, 2021.

At September 30, 2017, the 2017 TLA bore interest at 2.49%. Wewe were in compliance with the terms of the Credit FacilitiesAgreement as of September 30, 2017. To date, we have not drawn on the Revolver.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we reduced our total outstanding term loan balances by $1.7 billion. This included $139 million of cash used to retire the 2016 TLA, as discussed above, along with prepayments on the 2017 TLA of $361 million made on February 15, 2017, and $1.2 billion made on May 26, 2017. The May prepayment was made using proceeds from a concurrent issuance of $1.2 billion in notes, as discussed further below. As part of that refinancing, we wrote-off unamortized discount and deferred financing costs of $12 million, which is included in “Interest and other expense (income), net” in the condensed consolidated statement of operations.

The prepayments made on our 2017 TLA have satisfied the remaining required quarterly principal repayments for the entire term of the Credit Agreement.

2022.


Refer to Note 1113 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162021 for further details regarding the Credit Agreement and its key terms, and amendments made to the Credit Agreement.

terms.


Unsecured Senior Notes

At


As of September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2016,2021, we had the following$3.7 billion of gross unsecured senior notes outstanding:

·                  $750 millionoutstanding. A summary of 6.125%our outstanding unsecured senior notes due September 2023 that we issued on September 19, 2013 (the “2023 Notes”),is as follows (amounts in a private offering made in accordance with Rule 144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “Securities Act”); and

·                  $650 million of 2.3% unsecured senior notes due September 2021 (the “Unregistered 2021 Notes”) and $850 million of 3.4% unsecured senior notes due September 2026 (the “Unregistered 2026 Notes”) that we issued on September 19, 2016, in a private offering made in accordance with Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act.

In connection with the issuance of the Unregistered 2021 Notes and the Unregistered 2026 Notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among the Company, and the representatives of the initial purchasers of the Unregistered 2021 Notes and the Unregistered 2026 Notes. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, wemillions):


 At September 30, 2022At December 31, 2021
Unsecured Senior NotesInterest RateSemi-Annual Interest Payments Due OnMaturityPrincipalFair Value
(Level 2)
PrincipalFair Value
(Level 2)
2026 Notes3.40%Mar. 15 & Sept. 15Sept. 2026$850 $807 $850 $912 
2027 Notes3.40%Jun. 15 & Dec. 15Jun. 2027400 374 400 430 
2030 Notes1.35%Mar. 15 & Sept. 15Sept. 2030500 380 500 463 
2047 Notes4.50%Jun. 15 & Dec. 15Jun. 2047400 352 400 480 
2050 Notes2.50%Mar. 15 & Sept. 15Sept. 20501,500 924 1,500 1,320 
Total gross long-term debt$3,650 $3,650 
Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs(40)(42)
Total net carrying amount$3,610 $3,608 

We were required to use commercially reasonable efforts to, within one year of the issue date of the Unregistered 2021 Notes and the Unregistered 2026 Notes, among other things, (1) file a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange each series of the Unregistered 2021 Notes and the Unregistered 2026 Notes for new notes that were substantially identical in all material respects (except for the provisions relating to the transfer restrictions and payment of additional interest) (the “Exchange Offer”), and (2) cause that registration statement (the “Exchange Offer Registration Statement”) to be declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act. The Exchange Offer Registration Statement was declared effective by the SEC on April 28, 2017, and we completed the Exchange Offer on June 1, 2017, such that all the Unregistered 2021 Notes and Unregistered 2026 Notes were exchanged for registered 2021 notes (the “2021 Notes”) and registered 2026 notes (the “2026 Notes”).

In addition, on May 26, 2017, in a public underwritten offering, we issued $400 million of 2.6% unsecured senior notes due June 2022 (the “2022 Notes”), $400 million of 3.4% unsecured senior notes due June 2027 (the “2027 Notes”), and $400 million of 4.5% unsecured senior notes due June 2047 (the “2047 Notes”, and together with the 2021 Notes, the 2022 Notes, the 2023 Notes, the 2026 Notes, and the 2027 Notes, the “Notes”), which were outstanding at September 30, 2017.

We may redeem some or all of the 2022 Notes, the 2027 Notes and the 2047 Notes, in whole or in part, at any time on or after May 15, 2022, March 15, 2027, and December 15, 2046, respectively, and in each case at 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, we may redeem some or all of the 2022 Notes, the 2027 Notes, and the 2047 Notes prior to May 15, 2022, March 15, 2027, and December 15, 2046, respectively, and in each case at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest.

Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase the 2022 Notes, the 2027 Notes, and the 2047 Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. These repurchase requirements are considered clearly and closely related to the 2022 Notes, the 2027 Notes, and the 2047 Notes and were not accounted for separately upon issuance.

The 2022 Notes, the 2027 Notes, and the 2047 Notes contain covenants that place restrictions in certain circumstances on, among other things, the incurrence of secured debt, entry into sale or leaseback transactions, and certain merger or consolidation transactions.

The Notes are general senior obligations of the Company and rank pari passu in right of payment to all of the Company’s existing and future senior indebtedness, including the Credit Facilities described above. The Notes are not secured and are effectively subordinated to any of the Company’s existing and future indebtedness that is secured. The Company was in compliance with the terms of each of the Notesnotes outstanding as of September 30, 2017.

Interest is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year for the 2021 Notes, the 2023 Notes, and 2026 Notes, and payable semi-annually in arrears on June 15 and December 15 of each year for the 2022 Notes, the 2027 Notes, and 2047 Notes. Accrued interest payable is recorded within “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.2022. As of September 30, 20172022, with the exception of our 2026 Notes and December 31, 2016, we had accrued interest payable2027 Notes, which are scheduled to mature in September 2026 and June 2027, respectively, no other contractual principal repayments of $18 million and $25 million, respectively, related toour long-term debt were due within the Notes.

next five years.


Refer to Note 1113 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 20162021 for further details regarding our key terms under our indentures that govern the 2021 Notes, the 2023 Notes, and the 2026 Notes.

Interest Expense and Financing Costs

Fees and discounts associated with the issuanceour outstanding notes.


16

Table of our debt instruments are recorded as debt discount, which reduces their respective carrying values, and is amortized over their respective terms. Amortization expense is recorded within “Interest and other expense (income), net” in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

In connection with the May 2017 note issuances, we incurred approximately $20 million of discounts and financing costs that were capitalized and recorded within “Long-term debt, net” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, interest expense was $39 million and $110 million, respectively; amortization of the debt discount and deferred financing costs was $2 million and $10 million, respectively; and commitment fees for the Revolver were not material. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, interest expense was $50 million and $158 million, respectively; amortization of the debt discount and deferred financing costs was $4 million and $16 million, respectively; and commitment fees for the Revolver were not material.

A summary of our debt is as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

At September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Unamortized
Discount and
Deferred Financing
Costs

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

2017 TLA

 

  $

990

 

  $

(8)

 

  $

982

 

2021 Notes

 

650

 

(5)

 

645

 

2022 Notes

 

400

 

(4)

 

396

 

2023 Notes

 

750

 

(10)

 

740

 

2026 Notes

 

850

 

(9)

 

841

 

2027 Notes

 

400

 

(6)

 

394

 

2047 Notes

 

400

 

(10)

 

390

 

Total long-term debt

 

  $

4,440

 

  $

(52)

 

  $

4,388

 

 

 

At December 31, 2016

 

 

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Unamortized
Discount and
Deferred Financing
Costs

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

2016 TLA

 

  $

2,690

 

  $

(27)

 

  $

2,663

 

2021 Notes

 

650

 

(5)

 

645

 

2023 Notes

 

750

 

(11)

 

739

 

2026 Notes

 

850

 

(10)

 

840

 

Total long-term debt

 

  $

4,940

 

  $

(53)

 

  $

4,887

 

Contents

As of September 30, 2017, the scheduled maturities and contractual principal repayments of our debt for each of the five succeeding years are as follows (amounts in millions):

For the year ending December 31,

 

 

 

2017 (remaining three months)

 

  $

 

2018

 

 

2019

 

 

2020

 

 

2021

 

1,640

 

Thereafter

 

2,800

 

Total

 

  $

4,440

 

With the exception of the 2023 Notes, using Level 2 inputs (i.e., observable market prices in less-than-active markets), the carrying values of our debt instruments approximated their fair value as of September 30, 2017, as the interest rates are similar to current rates at which we can borrow funds over the selected interest periods. At September 30, 2017, based on Level 2 inputs, the fair value of the 2023 Notes was $804 million.

At December 31, 2016, the carrying value of the 2016 TLA approximated its fair value, based on Level 2 inputs. At December 31, 2016, based on Level 2 inputs, the fair values of the 2021 Notes, 2023 Notes, and 2026 Notes were $635 million, $818 million, and $808 million, respectively.

8.



9. Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)


The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2017 and 2016, were as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Foreign currency
translation
adjustments

 

Unrealized gain
(loss) on forward
contracts

 

Unrealized gain
(loss) on available-
for-sale securities

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2016

 

  $

(659)

 

  $

29 

 

  $

 

  $

(629)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

20 

 

(38)

 

(2)

 

(20)

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings

 

16 

 

(7)

 

(2)

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2017

 

  $

(623)

 

  $

(16)

 

  $

(3)

 

  $

(642)

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016

 

 

 

Foreign currency
translation
adjustments

 

Unrealized gain
(loss) on forward
contracts

 

Unrealized gain
(loss) on available-
for-sale securities

 

Total

 

Balance at December 31, 2015

 

  $

(630)

 

  $

(4)

 

  $

 

  $

(633)

 

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

 

(20)

 

(1)

 

— 

 

(21)

 

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings

 

 

 

— 

 

 

Balance at September 30, 2016

 

  $

(650)

 

  $

(4)

 

  $

 

  $

(653)

 

Income taxes were not provided for foreign currency translation items as these are considered indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries.

9.


For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
Foreign currency
translation
adjustments
Unrealized gain (loss)
on available-for-
sale securities
Unrealized gain (loss)
on forward
contracts
Total
Balance at December 31, 2021$(606)$$25 $(578)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(64)24 67 27 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings— (5)(33)(38)
Balance at September 30, 2022$(670)$22 $59 $(589)

 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
 Foreign currency
translation
adjustments
Unrealized gain (loss)
on available-for-
sale securities
Unrealized gain (loss)
on forward
contracts
Total
Balance at December 31, 2020$(589)$(5)$(28)$(622)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications(8)— 27 19 
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings— 13 16 
Balance at September 30, 2021$(597)$(2)$12 $(587)

10. Operating Segments and Geographic Region

Currently, weRegions


We have three reportable segments.segments—Activision, Blizzard, and King. Our operating segments are consistent with the manner in which our operations are reviewed and managed by our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of: the impact of the change in deferred revenues and related cost of revenues with respect to certain of our online-enabled games; share-based compensation expense;expense (including liability awards accounted for under ASC 718); amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting; fees and other expenses (including legal fees, expenses, and accruals) related to acquisitions, associated integration activities, and financings; certain restructuring and related costs; and certain other non-cash charges. The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis, and accordingly, no disclosure is made with respect thereto.


Our operating segments are also consistent with our internal organizationorganizational structure, the way we assess operating performance and allocate resources, and the availability of separate financial information. We do not aggregate operating segments. As discussed in Note 1, commencing with the second quarter

17

Table of 2017, we made changes to our operating segments which reflect the changes in our organization and reporting structure. Our MLG business, which was previously included in the non-reportable “Other segments,” is now presented within the “Blizzard”Contents


Information on reportable operating segment. Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect this change. The change had no impact on consolidatedsegment net revenues orand operating income.

income for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, are presented below (amounts in millions):


Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
ActivisionBlizzardKingTotal
Segment Revenues
Net revenues from external customers$480 $534 $692 $1,706 
Intersegment net revenues (1)— — 
Segment net revenues$480 $543 $692 $1,715 
Segment operating income$153 $166 $297 $616 
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingTotal
Segment Revenues
Net revenues from external customers$641 $478 $652 $1,771 
Intersegment net revenues (1)— 15 — 15 
Segment net revenues$641 $493 $652 $1,786 
Segment operating income$244 $188 $303 $735 

Information on reportable segment net revenues and operating income for the reportable segmentsnine months ended September 30, 2022 and reconciliations2021, are presented below (amounts in millions):

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
ActivisionBlizzardKingTotal
Segment Revenues
Net revenues from external customers$1,423 $1,189 $2,058 $4,670 
Intersegment net revenues (1)— 29 — 29 
Segment net revenues$1,423 $1,218 $2,058 $4,699 
Segment operating income$304 $314 $811 $1,429 
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingTotal
Segment Revenues
Net revenues from external customers$2,321 $1,347 $1,896 $5,564 
Intersegment net revenues (1)— 62 — 62 
Segment net revenues$2,321 $1,409 $1,896 $5,626 
Segment operating income$1,049 $537 $755 $2,341 

(1)Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.

18

Table of Contents


Reconciliations of total segment net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues from external customers and consolidated income before income tax expense are presented in the table below (amounts in millions):

Three Months Ended September 30,Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022202120222021
Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:
Segment net revenues$1,715 $1,786 $4,699 $5,626 
Revenues from non-reportable segments (1)123 109 278 303 
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues (2)(47)190 246 773 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)(9)(15)(29)(62)
Consolidated net revenues$1,782 $2,070 $5,194 $6,640 
Reconciliation to consolidated income before income tax expense:
Segment operating income$616 $735 $1,429 $2,341 
Operating income (loss) from non-reportable segments (1)14 28 (12)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues (2)(25)154 210 562 
Share-based compensation expense (4)(102)(64)(301)(259)
Amortization of intangible assets(6)(2)(9)(8)
Restructuring and related costs(2)(3)(46)
Merger and acquisition-related fees and other expenses (5)(10)— (58)— 
Consolidated operating income485 824 1,302 2,578 
Interest and other (income) expense, net(15)65 16 52 
Consolidated income before income tax expense$500 $759 $1,286 $2,526 

(1)Includes other income and expenses outside of our reportable segments, including our Distribution business and unallocated corporate income and expenses.

(2)Reflects the net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues, along with related cost of revenues, on certain of our online-enabled products.

(3)Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.

(4)Expenses related to share-based compensation, including $25 million and $54 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, are presented below (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

Net revenues

 

Operating income and income
before income tax expense

Activision

 

  $

759

 

  $

377

 

  $

261

 

  $

123

Blizzard

 

531

 

729

 

168

 

316

King

 

528

 

459

 

208

 

138

Reportable segments total

 

1,818

 

1,565

 

637

 

577

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues / consolidated income before income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other segments (1)

 

84

 

65

 

(12)

 

(2)

Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues

 

(284)

 

(62)

 

(132)

 

(33)

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

(47)

 

(33)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

(187)

 

(211)

Fees and other expenses related to the King Acquisition (2)

 

 

 

(3)

 

(4)

Other non-cash charges (4)

 

 

 

1

 

Consolidated net revenues / operating income

 

  $

1,618

 

  $

1,568

 

  $

257

 

  $

294

Interest and other expense (income), net

 

 

 

 

 

37

 

63

Consolidated income before income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

  $

220

 

  $

231

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

 

Net revenues

 

Operating income and income
before income tax expense

Activision

 

  $

1,291

 

  $

1,069

 

  $

371

 

  $

309

Blizzard

 

1,539

 

1,767

 

552

 

730

King

 

1,482

 

1,149

 

538

 

381

Reportable segments total

 

4,312

 

3,985

 

1,461

 

1,420

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues / consolidated income before income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other segments (1)

 

204

 

162

 

(15)

 

(5)

Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues

 

458

 

447

 

370

 

228

Share-based compensation expense

 

 

 

(120)

 

(118)

Amortization of intangible assets

 

 

 

(571)

 

(495)

Fees and other expenses related to the King Acquisition (2)

 

 

 

(12)

 

(43)

Restructuring costs (3)

 

 

 

(11)

 

Other non-cash charges (4)

 

 

 

(14)

 

Consolidated net revenues / operating income

 

  $

4,974

 

  $

4,594

 

  $

1,088

 

  $

987

Interest and other expense (income), net

 

 

 

 

 

121

 

181

Consolidated income before income tax expense

 

 

 

 

 

  $

967

 

  $

806

(1)               Includes other income and expenses from operating segments managed outside the reportable segments, including our Studios and Distribution businesses. Also includes unallocated corporate income and expenses.

(2)2022, respectively, related to liability awards accounted for under ASC 718.


(5)Reflects fees and other expenses such as legal, banking, and professional services fees, related to the King Acquisitionour proposed transaction with Microsoft, which primarily consist of legal and associated integration activities, inclusiveadvisory fees.


19

Table of related debt financings.

(3)               Reflects restructuring charges, primarily severance costs.

(4)               ReflectsContents



Net revenues by distribution channel, including a non-cash accounting chargereconciliation to reclassify certain cumulative translation gains (losses) into earnings due to the substantial liquidation of certaineach of our foreign entities.

Geographic information presented belowreportable segment’s revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, were as follows (amounts in millions):


Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (3)Total
Net revenues by distribution channel:
Digital online channels (1)$501 $421 $693 $— $(9)$1,606 
Retail channels23 — — — 25 
Other (2)24 — 118 — 151 
Total consolidated net revenues$533 $447 $693 $118 $(9)$1,782 
Change in deferred revenues:
Digital online channels (1)$(36)$96 $(1)$— $— $59 
Retail channels(17)— — — — (17)
Other (2)— — — — 
Total change in deferred revenues$(53)$96 $(1)$$— $47 
Segment net revenues:
Digital online channels (1)$465 $517 $692 $— $(9)$1,665 
Retail channels— — — 
Other (2)24 — 123 — 156 
Total segment net revenues$480 $543 $692 $123 $(9)$1,829 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (3)Total
Net revenues by distribution channel:
Digital online channels (1)$723 $493 $651 $— $(15)$1,852 
Retail channels63 — — — 69 
Other (2)33 — 108 — 149 
Total consolidated net revenues$794 $532 $651 $108 $(15)$2,070 
Change in deferred revenues:
Digital online channels (1)$(128)$(37)$$— $— $(164)
Retail channels(25)(2)— — — (27)
Other (2)— — — — 
Total change in deferred revenues$(153)$(39)$$$— $(190)
Segment net revenues:
Digital online channels (1)$595 $456 $652 $— $(15)$1,688 
Retail channels38 — — — 42 
Other (2)33 — 109 — 150 
Total segment net revenues$641 $493 $652 $109 $(15)$1,880 
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Net revenues by distribution channel, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 20172022 and 2016,2021, were as follows (amounts in millions):

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (3)Total
Net revenues by distribution channel:
Digital online channels (1)$1,643 $994 $2,060 $— $(29)$4,668 
Retail channels170 — — — 177 
Other (2)31 47 — 271 — 349 
Total consolidated net revenues$1,844 $1,048 $2,060 $271 $(29)$5,194 
Change in deferred revenues:
Digital online channels (1)$(286)$171 $(2)$— $— $(117)
Retail channels(135)— — — — (135)
Other (2)— (1)— — 
Total change in deferred revenues$(421)$170 $(2)$$— $(246)
Segment net revenues:
Digital online channels (1)$1,357 $1,165 $2,058 $— $(29)$4,551 
Retail channels35 — — — 42 
Other (2)31 46 — 278 — 355 
Total segment net revenues$1,423 $1,218 $2,058 $278 $(29)$4,948 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (3)Total
Net revenues by distribution channel:
Digital online channels (1)$2,625 $1,426 $1,894 $— $(62)$5,883 
Retail channels334 20 — — — 354 
Other (2)38 71 — 294 — 403 
Total consolidated net revenues$2,997 $1,517 $1,894 $294 $(62)$6,640 
Change in deferred revenues:
Digital online channels (1)$(491)$(101)$$— $— $(590)
Retail channels(185)(7)— — — (192)
Other (2)— — — — 
Total change in deferred revenues$(676)$(108)$$$— $(773)
Segment net revenues:
Digital online channels (1)$2,134 $1,325 $1,896 $— $(62)$5,293 
Retail channels149 13 — — — 162 
Other (2)38 71 — 303 — 412 
Total segment net revenues$2,321 $1,409 $1,896 $303 $(62)$5,867 
(1)Net revenues from “Digital online channels” include revenues from digitally-distributed downloadable content, microtransactions, subscriptions, and products, as well as licensing royalties.

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(2)Net revenues from “Other” primarily include revenues from our Distribution business, the Overwatch League, and the Call of Duty League.

(3)Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.

Geographic information presented below is based on the location of the paying customer. Net revenues from external customers by geographic region, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, were as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net revenues by geographic region:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

  $

798

 

  $

796

 

  $

2,586

 

  $

2,411

 

EMEA (1)

 

593

 

499

 

1,684

 

1,528

 

Asia Pacific

 

227

 

273

 

704

 

655

 

Total consolidated net revenues

 

  $

1,618

 

  $

1,568

 

  $

4,974

 

  $

4,594

 


Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (2)Total
Net revenues by geographic region:
Americas$358 $190 $457 $— $(6)$999 
EMEA (1)117 107 158 118 (2)498 
Asia Pacific58 150 78 — (1)285 
Total consolidated net revenues$533 $447 $693 $118 $(9)$1,782 
Change in deferred revenues:
Americas$(33)$42 $— $— $— $
EMEA (1)(17)18 — — 
Asia Pacific(3)36 (1)— — 32 
Total change in deferred revenues$(53)$96 $(1)$$— $47 
Segment net revenues:
Americas$325 $232 $457 $— $(6)$1,008 
EMEA (1)100 125 158 123 (2)504 
Asia Pacific55 186 77 — (1)317 
Total segment net revenues$480 $543 $692 $123 $(9)$1,829 

Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (2)Total
Net revenues by geographic region:
Americas$515 $243 $417 $— $(9)$1,166 
EMEA (1)187 166 163 108 (5)619 
Asia Pacific92 123 71 — (1)285 
Total consolidated net revenues$794 $532 $651 $108 $(15)$2,070 
Change in deferred revenues:
Americas$(110)$(27)$$— $— $(136)
EMEA (1)(42)(22)— — (63)
Asia Pacific(1)10 — — — 
Total change in deferred revenues$(153)$(39)$$$— $(190)
Segment net revenues:
Americas$405 $216 $418 $— $(9)$1,030 
EMEA (1)145 144 163 109 (5)556 
Asia Pacific91 133 71 — (1)294 
Total segment net revenues$641 $493 $652 $109 $(15)$1,880 
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Net revenues by geographic region, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, were as follows (amounts in millions):

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (2)Total
Net revenues by geographic region:
Americas$1,214 $463 $1,341 $— $(19)$2,999 
EMEA (1)448 291 491 271 (8)1,493 
Asia Pacific182 294 228 — (2)702 
Total consolidated net revenues$1,844 $1,048 $2,060 $271 $(29)$5,194 
Change in deferred revenues:
Americas$(258)$82 $(2)$— $— $(178)
EMEA (1)(141)30 (1)— (105)
Asia Pacific(22)58 — — 37 
Total change in deferred revenues$(421)$170 $(2)$$— $(246)
Segment net revenues:
Americas$956 $545 $1,339 $— $(19)$2,821 
EMEA (1)307 321 490 278 (8)1,388 
Asia Pacific160 352 229 — (2)739 
Total segment net revenues$1,423 $1,218 $2,058 $278 $(29)$4,948 

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (2)Total
Net revenues by geographic region:
Americas$1,942 $698 $1,215 $— $(36)$3,819 
EMEA (1)780 507 485 294 (21)2,045 
Asia Pacific275 312 194 — (5)776 
Total consolidated net revenues$2,997 $1,517 $1,894 $294 $(62)$6,640 
Change in deferred revenues:
Americas$(420)$(57)$$— $— $(475)
EMEA (1)(213)(55)(1)— (260)
Asia Pacific(43)— — (38)
Total change in deferred revenues$(676)$(108)$$$— $(773)
Segment net revenues:
Americas$1,522 $641 $1,217 $— $(36)$3,344 
EMEA (1)567 452 484 303 (21)1,785 
Asia Pacific232 316 195 — (5)738 
Total segment net revenues$2,321 $1,409 $1,896 $303 $(62)$5,867 
(1)               Consists    “EMEA” consists of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa geographic regions.

(2)    Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.
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The Company’s net revenues in the U.S. were 43%49% of consolidated net revenues for both the three months ended September 30, 20172022 and 2016.2021. The Company’s net revenues in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) were 12% and 10% of consolidated net revenues for both the three months ended September 30, 20172022 and 2016, respectively.2021. No other country’s net revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 20172022 or 2016.

2021.


The Company’s net revenues in the U.S. were 46%51% and 50% of consolidated net revenues for both the nine months ended September 30, 20172022 and 2016.2021, respectively. The Company’s net revenues in the U.K. were 10% of consolidated net revenues for both the nine months ended September 30, 20172022 and 2016.2021. No other country’s net revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 20172022 or 2016.

2021.


Net revenues by platform, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, were as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net revenues by platform:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

  $

527

 

  $

452

 

  $

1,710

 

  $

1,867

 

PC

 

461

 

609

 

1,534

 

1,421

 

Mobile and ancillary (1)

 

534

 

440

 

1,502

 

1,137

 

Other (2)

 

96

 

67

 

228

 

169

 

Total consolidated net revenues

 

  $

1,618

 

  $

1,568

 

  $

4,974

 

  $

4,594

 


Three Months Ended September 30, 2022
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (3)Total
Net revenues by platform:
Console$313 $23 $— $— $— $336 
PC75 279 18 — (9)363 
Mobile and ancillary (1)136 121 675 — — 932 
Other (2)24 — 118 — 151 
Total consolidated net revenues$533 $447 $693 $118 $(9)$1,782 
Change in deferred revenues:
Console$(43)$(6)$— $— $— $(49)
PC(6)35 — — — 29 
Mobile and ancillary (1)(4)67 (1)— — 62 
Other (2)— — — — 
Total change in deferred revenues$(53)$96 $(1)$$— $47 
Segment net revenues:
Console$270 $17 $— $— $— $287 
PC69 314 18 — (9)392 
Mobile and ancillary (1)132 188 674 — — 994 
Other (2)24 — 123 — 156 
Total segment net revenues$480 $543 $692 $123 $(9)$1,829 

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Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (3)Total
Net revenues by platform:
Console$480 $43 $— $— $— $523 
PC140 434 19 — (15)578 
Mobile and ancillary (1)166 22 632 — — 820 
Other (2)33 — 108 — 149 
Total consolidated net revenues$794 $532 $651 $108 $(15)$2,070 
Change in deferred revenues:
Console$(119)$$— $— $— $(114)
PC(33)(47)— — — (80)
Mobile and ancillary (1)(1)— — 
Other (2)— — — — 
Total change in deferred revenues$(153)$(39)$$$— $(190)
Segment net revenues:
Console$361 $48 $— $— $— $409 
PC107 387 19 — (15)498 
Mobile and ancillary (1)165 25 633 — — 823 
Other (2)33 — 109 — 150 
Total segment net revenues$641 $493 $652 $109 $(15)$1,880 


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Net revenues by platform, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 and 2021, were as follows (amounts in millions):

Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (3)Total
Net revenues by platform:
Console$1,129 $66 $— $— $— $1,195 
PC297 760 52 — (29)1,080 
Mobile and ancillary (1)387 175 2,008 — — 2,570 
Other (2)31 47 — 271 — 349 
Total consolidated net revenues$1,844 $1,048 $2,060 $271 $(29)$5,194 
Change in deferred revenues:
Console$(358)$(8)$— $— $— $(366)
PC(84)56 — — — (28)
Mobile and ancillary (1)21 123 (2)— — 142 
Other (2)— (1)— — 
Total change in deferred revenues$(421)$170 $(2)$$— $(246)
Segment net revenues:
Console$771 $58 $— $— $— $829 
PC213 816 52 — (29)1,052 
Mobile and ancillary (1)408 298 2,006 — — 2,712 
Other (2)31 46 — 278 — 355 
Total segment net revenues$1,423 $1,218 $2,058 $278 $(29)$4,948 

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Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingNon-reportable segmentsElimination of intersegment revenues (3)Total
Net revenues by platform:
Console$1,971 $90 $— $— $— $2,061 
PC532 1,293 64 — (62)1,827 
Mobile and ancillary (1)456 63 1,830 — — 2,349 
Other (2)38 71 — 294 — 403 
Total consolidated net revenues$2,997 $1,517 $1,894 $294 $(62)$6,640 
Change in deferred revenues:
Console$(530)$— $— $— $— $(530)
PC(145)(108)— — — (253)
Mobile and ancillary (1)(1)— — — 
Other (2)— — — — 
Total change in deferred revenues$(676)$(108)$$$— $(773)
Segment net revenues:
Console$1,441 $90 $— $— $— $1,531 
PC387 1,185 64 — (62)1,574 
Mobile and ancillary (1)455 63 1,832 — — 2,350 
Other (2)38 71 — 303 — 412 
Total segment net revenues$2,321 $1,409 $1,896 $303 $(62)$5,867 
(1)Net revenues from “Mobile and ancillary” primarily include revenues from mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game-related revenues, such as standalone sales of toys and accessories from our Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories.

devices.


(2)Net revenues from “Other” primarily include revenues from our StudiosDistribution business, the Overwatch League, and Distribution businesses, as well asthe Call of Duty League.

(3)Intersegment revenues from MLG.

reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.


Long-lived assets by geographic region at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, were as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

At September 30, 2017

 

At December 31, 2016

 

Long-lived assets (1) by geographic region:

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

  $

160

 

  $

154

 

EMEA

 

77

 

87

 

Asia Pacific

 

17

 

17

 

Total long-lived assets by geographic region

 

  $

254

 

  $

258

 

(1)


 At September 30, 2022At December 31, 2021
Long-lived assets* by geographic region:
Americas$264 $264 
EMEA101 122 
Asia Pacific21 20 
Total long-lived assets by geographic region$386 $406 

*    The only long-lived assets that we classify by region are our long-term tangible fixed assets, which consist of property, plant, and equipment assets; allassets and lease right-of-use assets. All other long-term assets are not allocated by location.


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10.



11. Share-Based Payments

Stock Option Activity

Stock option activity is as follows:

 Number of shares (in thousands)Weighted-average
exercise price per stock option
Weighted-average
remaining
contractual term (in years)
Aggregate
intrinsic value (in millions)
Outstanding stock options at December 31, 20219,133 $57.77 
Granted— — 
Exercised(857)46.74 
Forfeited(162)72.97 
Expired(46)74.37 
Outstanding stock options at September 30, 20228,068 $58.54 6.38$150 
Vested and expected to vest at September 30, 20227,919 $58.06 6.35$150 
Exercisable at September 30, 20225,790 $50.89 5.77$140 

The aggregate intrinsic value in the table above represents the total pretax intrinsic value (i.e., the difference between our closing stock price on the last trading day of the period and the exercise price, times the number of shares for options where the closing stock price is greater than the exercise price) that would have been received by the option holders had all option holders exercised their options on that date. This amount changes based on the market value of our stock.

At September 30, 2022, $15 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to stock options is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.75 years.

Restricted Stock Units (“RSUs”) Activity

We grant RSUs, which represent the right to receive shares of our common stock. Vesting for RSUs is generally contingent upon the holder’s continued employment with us and may be subject to other conditions (which may include the satisfaction of a performance measure). Also, certain of our performance-based RSUs, including those that are market-based, include a range of shares that may be released at vesting, which are above or below the targeted number of RSUs based on actual performance relative to the performance measure. If the vesting conditions are not met, unvested RSUs will be forfeited. Upon vesting of the RSUs, we may withhold shares otherwise deliverable to satisfy tax withholding requirements.

The following table summarizes our RSU activity with performance-based RSUs, including those with market conditions, presented at 100% of the target level shares that may potentially vest (amounts in thousands, except per share data):

 Number of sharesWeighted-
average grant
date fair value per RSU
Unvested RSUs at December 31, 202113,258 $75.51 
Granted5,600 79.90 
Vested(4,511)77.09 
Forfeited(1,359)82.90 
Unvested RSUs at September 30, 202212,988 $76.23 

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As of December 31, 2021, we had recorded a share-based compensation liability related to compensation payments under our annual performance plans for 2021 which the Company determined to settle amounts not yet paid in stock as opposed to cash. During the nine months ended September 30, 2022, we settled the share-based compensation liability by granting 2,777 thousand RSUs that vested during the first quarter shortly after grant. The number of shares issued was based on the Company’s closing stock price on the date of grant. The impact of this settlement was recorded in “Additional Paid-In-Capital” in our condensed consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2022.

At September 30, 2022, $417 million of total unrecognized compensation cost related to RSUs is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 1.28 years. Of the total unrecognized compensation cost, $63 million was related to performance-based RSUs, which is expected to be recognized over a weighted-average period of 0.89 years.

12. Restructuring

During 2019, we began implementing a plan aimed at refocusing our resources on our largest opportunities and removing unnecessary levels of complexity from certain parts of our business. We substantially completed all actions under our plan and accrued for these costs accordingly as of December 31, 2021. The remaining activity under the plan is primarily related to cash outlays to be made over time to impacted personnel.

The following table summarizes accrued restructuring and related costs included in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” and “Other liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet and the cumulative charges incurred (amounts in millions):

Severance and employee related costsOther costsTotal
Balance at December 31, 2021$64 $21 $85 
Cash payments(12)(8)(20)
Non-cash charge and other adjustments(3)— (3)
Balance at March 31, 2022$49 $13 $62 
Cash payments(12)— (12)
Non-cash charge and other adjustments(2)(5)(7)
Balance at June 30, 2022$35 $$43 
Cash payments(7)— (7)
Non-cash charge and other adjustments(1)(1)(2)
Balance at September 30, 2022$27 $$34 

13. Interest and Other (Income) Expense, Net

Interest and other (income) expense, net is comprised of the following (amounts in millions):

For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022202120222021
Interest income$(51)$(1)$(68)$(4)
Interest expense from debt and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs27 27 81 81 
Realized and unrealized loss (gain) on equity investment10 36 (35)
Other (income) expense, net(1)(3)10 
Interest and other (income) expense, net$(15)$65 $16 $52 

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14. Income Taxes

��

The Company accounts


We account for itsour provision for income taxes in accordance with ASCFinancial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) Accounting Standards Codification (“ASC”) Topic 740, Income Taxes, which requires an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full year to be applied to the interim period, taking into account year-to-date amounts and projected results for the full year. The provision for income taxes represents federal, foreign, state, and local income taxes. Our effective tax rate differscould be different from the statutory U.S. income tax rate due toto: the effect of state and local income taxes,taxes; tax rates inthat apply to our foreign jurisdictions,income (including U.S. tax on foreign income); research and development credits; and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to: variations in the estimated and actual level of pre-tax income or loss by jurisdiction; changes in the mix of income by tax jurisdiction (as taxes are levied at relatively lower statutory rates in foreign regions and relatively higher statutory rates in the U.S.); research and development credits; changes in enacted tax laws and regulations, rulings, and interpretations thereof, including with respect to tax credits and state and local income taxes; developments in tax audits and other matters; recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies from share-based payments; and certain nondeductible expenses. Changes in judgment from the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition, or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change.


The income tax expense of $32$65 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, reflects an effective tax rate of 15%, which is higher than the effective tax rate of 14% for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase is due to lower discrete tax benefits recognized in the current quarter, partially offset by higher excess tax benefits from share-based payments.

The income tax expense of $109 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, reflects an effective tax rate of 11%13%, which is lower than the effective tax rate of 12%16% for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Our tax rate in the current quarter is lower than in the prior year due to changes in the mix of our pre-tax income between countries, partially offset by discrete tax benefits recognized in 2021, related to a favorable tax return to accrual adjustment and excess tax benefits from share-based payments.


The income tax expense of $176 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2022, reflects an effective tax rate of 14%, which is lower than the effective tax rate of 15% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease is primarily due to higher excess tax benefits from share-based paymentschanges in the current period,mix of our pre-tax income among countries, partially offset by lowera discrete tax benefits, primarilybenefit recognized in 2021 related to an audit settlement recognized in the prior period.

deferred tax remeasurement.


The effective tax rate of 15%13% and 11%14% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, respectively, isare lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35%21%, primarily due to lower taxes on foreign earnings taxed at lower statutory rates, the recognition of excess tax benefits from share-based payments, and the recognition of federal and CaliforniaU.S. research and development credits, partially offsetcredits.

Activision Blizzard’s tax years after 2008 remain open to examination by an increase of reserves for uncertain tax positions.

certain major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is currently examining Activision Blizzard’sour federal tax returns for the 2009, 2010, and 20112012 through 2019 tax years. During the second quarterWe also have several state and non-U.S. audits pending. In addition, King’s pre-acquisition tax returns remain open in various jurisdictions, primarily as a result of 2015, the Company transitioned the review of its transfer pricing methodology frommatters. We anticipate resolving King’s transfer pricing for both pre- and post-acquisition tax years through a collaborative multilateral process with the advanced pricing agreement reviewtax authorities in the relevant jurisdictions, which include the U.K. and Sweden. While the outcome of this process to the IRS examination team. Their reviewremains uncertain, it could result in a different allocation of profits and losses underan agreement that changes the Company’s transfer pricing agreements. Such allocation could have a positive or negative impact on our provision for uncertain tax positions for the period in which such a determination is reached and the relevant periods thereafter. The Company also has several state level and non-U.S. audits pending.

As part of purchase price accounting for the King Acquisition, the Company assumed $74 million of uncertain tax positions, primarily related to the transfer pricing on King tax years occurring prior to the King Acquisition. The Company is currently in negotiations with the relevant jurisdictions and taxing authorities with respect to King’s transfer pricing, which could result in a different allocation of profits and losses between these and other relevant jurisdictions or a failure to reach an agreement that results in unilateral adjustments to the relevant jurisdictions.

Vivendi Games’ results for the period from January 1, 2008 through July 9, 2008, are includedamount and timing of taxable income in the consolidated federal andjurisdictions in which King operates.


In addition, certain foreign state and local income tax returns filed by Vivendi or its affiliates, while Vivendi Games’ results for the period from July 10, 2008 through December 31, 2008, are included in the consolidated federal and certain foreign, state and local income tax returns filed by Activision Blizzard. IRS Appeals proceedings concerning Vivendi Games’ tax return for the 2008 tax year were concluded during July 2016, but that year remains open to examination by other major taxing authorities. The resolution of the 2008 IRS Appeals process did not have a material impact to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements.

Certain of our subsidiaries are under examination or investigation, or may be subject to examination or investigation, by tax authorities in various jurisdictions, including France.jurisdictions. These proceedings may lead to adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes or provisions for uncertain tax positions. Such proceedings may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations in the earlier of the period or periods in which the matters are resolved orand in which appropriate tax provisions are taken into account in our financial statements. If we were to receive a materially adverse assessment from a taxing jurisdiction, we would plan to vigorously contest it and consider all of our options, including the pursuit of judicial remedies.


We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations and monitor the progress of ongoing discussions with tax authorities in determining the appropriateness of our tax provisions. The final resolution of the Company’s global tax disputes is uncertain. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of disputes, including the probability determination and estimation of the potential exposure. Based on current information, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the ultimate resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations, except as noted above.

11.operations.


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15. Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share


The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (amounts in millions, except per share data):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Numerator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Consolidated net income

 

  $

188

 

  $

199

 

  $

858

 

  $

713

 

Less: Distributed earnings to unvested share-based awards that participate in earnings

 

 

 

 

(2)

 

Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested share-based awards that participate in earnings

 

 

(1)

 

 

(2)

 

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share—income available to common shareholders

 

  $

188

 

  $

198

 

  $

858

 

  $

709

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Denominator for basic earnings per common share—weighted-average common shares outstanding

 

755

 

742

 

753

 

739

 

Effect of potential dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Employee stock options and awards

 

11

 

14

 

11

 

14

 

Denominator for diluted earnings per common share—weighted-average common shares outstanding plus dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method

 

766

 

756

 

764

 

753

 

Basic earnings per common share

 

  $

0.25

 

  $

0.27

 

  $

1.14

 

  $

0.96

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

  $

0.25

 

  $

0.26

 

  $

1.12

 

  $

0.94

 

Certain of our unvested restricted stock units meet the definition of participating securities as they participate in earnings based on their rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. Therefore, we are required to use the two-class method in our computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share. For both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, on a weighted-average basis, we had outstanding unvested restricted stock units of less than 1 million shares of common stock that are participating in earnings. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, on a weighted-average basis, we had outstanding unvested restricted stock units of 2 million and 3 million shares of common stock, respectively, that participated in earnings.


 For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 2022202120222021
Numerator:
Consolidated net income$435 $639 $1,110 $2,135 
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per common share—weighted-average common shares outstanding782 778 781 777 
Effect of dilutive stock options and awards under the treasury stock method
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share—weighted-average common shares outstanding plus dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method789 783 788 784 
Basic earnings per common share$0.56 $0.82 $1.42 $2.75 
Diluted earnings per common share$0.55 $0.82 $1.41 $2.72 

The vesting of certain of our employee-related restricted stock units and options areis contingent upon the satisfaction of pre-definedpredefined performance measures. The shares underlying these equity awards are included in the weighted-average dilutive common shares only if the performance measures are met as of the end of the reporting period. Approximately 9 million and 8 million shares are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, respectively, as their respective performance measures had not yet been met. Approximately 10 million shares are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, as their respective performance measures had not yet been met.

PotentialAdditionally, potential common shares are not included in the denominator of the diluted earnings per common share calculation when the inclusion of such shares would be anti-dilutive. Therefore, approximately 1 million options to acquire


Weighted-average shares of common stock were not included inexcluded from the calculationcomputation of diluted earnings per common share for both the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, and 1 million and 4 million options to acquire shares of common stock were not includedas follows (amounts in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively, as the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

12.millions):


For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022202120222021
Restricted stock units with performance measures not yet met
Anti-dilutive employee stock options

16. Capital Transactions


Repurchase Program

Programs


On February 2, 2017,January 27, 2021, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which we are authorized to repurchase up to $1$4 billion of our common stock during the two-year period from February 14, 2021 until the earlier of February 13, 2017 through February 12, 2019.2023 and a determination by the Board of Directors to discontinue the repurchase program. As of September 30, 2017,2022, we havehad not repurchased any shares under this program.

program and are restricted from making any such repurchases during the period between the execution of the Merger Agreement with Microsoft and the Effective Time without Microsoft’s approval (which may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed).


31

Dividends


On February 2, 2017,3, 2022, our Board of Directors approveddeclared a cash dividend of $0.30$0.47 per common share. On May 10, 2017,6, 2022, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $226$367 million to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 30, 2017. On May 26, 2017, we made related dividend equivalent payments of less than $1 million to certain holders of restricted stock units.

April 15, 2022.


On February 2, 2016,4, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.26$0.47 per common share. On May 11, 2016,6, 2021, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $192$365 million to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 30, 2016. On May 27, 2016, we made related dividend equivalent payments of $3 million to certain holders of restricted stock units.

13.April 15, 2021.


17. Commitments and Contingencies


Legal Proceedings


We are party to routine claims, suits, investigations, audits, and other proceedings arising from the ordinary course of business, including with respect to intellectual property rights, contractual claims, labor and employment matters, regulatory matters, tax matters, unclaimed property matters, compliance matters, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, such routine claims and lawsuits are not significant, and we do not expect them to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

14.Acquisitions

King Digital We are also party to the proceedings set forth below.


EEOC Settlement

In September 2021, the Company entered into a proposed consent decree with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (the “EEOC”) to settle claims regarding certain employment practices. The consent decree was approved by the United States District Court, Central District of California on March 29, 2022. The consent decree, among other things, provides for the creation of an $18 million settlement fund for eligible claimants; upgrading Company policies, practices, and training to further prevent and eliminate harassment and discrimination in its workplaces, including implementing an expanded performance review system with a new equal opportunity focus; and providing ongoing oversight and review of the Company’s training programs, investigation policies, disciplinary framework and compliance by appointing a third-party equal opportunity consultant for the next three years whose findings will be regularly reported to the EEOC and shared with our Board of Directors.

The California Civil Rights Department (formerly known as the Department of Fair Employment and Housing) (the “CRD”) filed a motion to intervene in the matter, seeking to object to the consent decree, including the amount of the settlement fund; that motion was denied. The CRD filed a notice of appeal of the order denying the CRD’s motion to intervene. The CRD filed its opening brief for its appeal of the Court’s order denying its motion to intervene with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit on May 18, 2022. On April 19, 2022, CRD filed a second motion to intervene with the United States District Court. The CRD’s second motion to intervene was denied on June 3, 2022. On June 7, 2022, CRD filed a notice of appeal of the order denying the CRD’s second motion to intervene with the United States Court of Appeals for the Ninth Circuit. On March 4, 2022, Jessica Gonzalez, a former Blizzard Entertainment

employee, filed a motion to intervene with the United States District Court; it was denied on March 22, 2022. On FebruaryMay 23, 2016, we completed2022, Gonzalez filed a notice of appeal of the King Acquisition, purchasing allorder denying her motion to intervene with the United States Court of King’s outstanding shares. AsAppeals for the Ninth Circuit. The CRD appeals and Gonzalez appeal are pending before the Ninth Circuit.


Pending Employment-Related Matters

On July 20, 2021, the CRD filed a result, King became a wholly-owned subsidiarycomplaint (the “CRD Matter”) in California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles against Activision Blizzard. King is a leading global developerBlizzard, Blizzard Entertainment and publisherActivision Publishing (together, the “Defendants”) alleging violations of interactive entertainment contentthe California Fair Employment and services, particularly on mobile platforms, such as Android and iOS, and on online and social platforms, such as FacebookHousing Act and the king.com websites. King’sCalifornia Equal Pay Act. The CRD filed a First Amended Complaint in the CRD Matter on August 23, 2021. The Defendants moved to dismiss the First Amended Complaint; the motion was heard on February 15, 2022. The Defendants’ motion was denied in part and granted in part, and the CRD did not amend with respect to the granted portion. On May 6, 2022, Defendants moved for partial summary adjudication seeking to dismiss claims asserted under the Fair Employment & Housing Act, which the Court denied. Defendants filed a Petition for Peremptory Writ or Other Appropriate Relief regarding the Court’s denial of Defendants’ motion for partial summary adjudication, which was denied. Defendants appealed the denial of their writ to the California Supreme Court. On October 27, 2022, CRD filed a Motion for Summary Adjudication on certain of Defendants’ affirmative defenses with a hearing date scheduled for January 10, 2023. The February 27, 2023 trial date has been vacated and a new trial date will be set by the Court. The Court set a conference for March 20, 2023 to discuss trial scheduling. In addition, in January 2022, the Company’s Board of Directors received notice of an investigation by the CRD and investigatory subpoenas.

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Table of Contents


On August 3, 2021, a putative class action was filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California, entitled Gary Cheng v. Activision Blizzard, Inc., et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-06240-PA-JEM. Plaintiffs assert claims under Sections 10(b) and 20(a) of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”) against the Company and five current or former officers. An amended complaint was filed on December 3, 2021, purportedly on behalf of a class of the Company’s shareholders who purchased stock between February 28, 2017 and November 16, 2021. In an order dated April 18, 2022, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint with leave to amend. Plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint on May 18, 2022, on behalf of shareholders who purchased stock between November 8, 2018 and November 16, 2021, which defendants moved to dismiss on June 16, 2022. In an order dated August 30, 2022, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the second amended complaint with leave to amend. Plaintiff filed a third amended complaint on September 29, 2022. Defendants’ motion to dismiss the third amended complaint was filed October 31, 2022.

Beginning on August 6, 2021, three putative shareholder derivative actions were filed in California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles, and those cases have now been consolidated in an action entitled York County on Behalf of County of York Retirement Fund v. Robert A. Kotick, et al., Case No. 21STCV28949. Another related putative shareholder derivative action, entitled Lesley Warren Savage v. Robert A. Kotick, et al., Case No. 22STCV17478, was filed in California Superior Court, County of Los Angeles on May 23, 2022. These related shareholder derivative actions in California Superior Court are currently stayed. On November 15, 2021, a putative shareholder derivative action was filed in the United States District Court, Central District of California, entitled Luke Kahnert v. Robert A. Kotick, et al., Case No. 2:21-cv-08968-PA-JEM. The putative derivative actions collectively assert claims on the Company’s behalf against a number of current or former officers, employees and directors for breach of fiduciary duty, corporate waste, unjust enrichment, misappropriation, contribution, and alleged violation of Section 14(a) of the Exchange Act based on allegations similar to those in the CRD Matter and in the securities class action. The Company is named as a nominal defendant. An amended complaint in the Kahnert case was filed on January 7, 2022 and, in an order dated May 20, 2022, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the amended complaint with leave to amend. Plaintiffs filed a second amended complaint on June 1, 2022 in the Kahnert case. In an order dated September 8, 2022, the Court granted defendants’ motion to dismiss the second amended complaint with leave to amend. Plaintiffs in the Kahnert case filed a third amended complaint on September 23, 2022. Defendants motion to dismiss the third amended complaint in the Kahnert case was filed October 24, 2022.

The Company is cooperating with an investigation by the SEC regarding disclosures on employment matters and related issues including responding to subpoenas from the SEC. The SEC has also issued subpoenas to a number of current and former executives and other employees in connection with this matter.

We are unable to predict the impact of the above pending matters on our business, financial condition, results of operations, sinceor liquidity at this time.

Legal Proceedings Regarding the King Closing Date are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

We made this acquisition because we believe thatMerger


Following the addition of King’s highly-complementary mobile business positions us as a global leader in interactive entertainment across console, PC, and mobile platforms, as well as positioning us for future growth.

The aggregate purchase priceannouncement of the King Acquisition was approximately $5.8 billion, which was paid on the King Closing Date and funded primarilyproposed transaction with $3.6 billion of existing cash and $2.2 billion of cash from new debt issued by the Company. We identified and recorded assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values at the King Closing Date and allocated the remaining value of approximately $2.7 billion to goodwill.

The final purchase price allocation was as follows (amounts in millions):

February 23, 2016

Estimated useful lives

Tangible assets and liabilities assumed:

Cash and cash equivalents

  $

1,151

Accounts receivable

162

Other current assets

72

Property and equipment

57

2 - 7 years

Deferred income tax assets, net

27

Other assets

47

Accounts payable

(9)

Accrued expenses and other liabilities

(272)

Other liabilities

(110)

Deferred income tax liabilities, net

(52)

Intangible assets

Internally-developed franchises

845

3 - 5 years

Customer base

609

2 years

Developed software

580

3 - 4 years

Trade name

46

7 years

Goodwill

2,675

Total purchase price

  $

5,828

During the nine months ended September 30, 2016, the Company incurred $38 million of expenses related to the King Acquisition, which are included within “General and administrative”Microsoft, complaints were filed in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In connection with the debt financing that occurred on the King Closing Date, we incurred $38 million of discounts and financing costs that were capitalized and recorded within “Long-term debt, net” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

Share-Based Compensation

In connection with the King Acquisition, a majority of the outstanding King options and awards that were unvested as of the King Closing Date were converted into equivalent options and awards with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock, using an equity award exchange ratio calculated in accordance with the transaction agreement. As a result, replacement stock options and equity awards of 10 million and 3 million, respectively, were issued. The portion of the fair value related to pre-combination services of $76 million was included in the purchase price, while the remaining fair value will be recognized over the remaining service periods. As of December 31, 2016, the future expenseUnited States District Court for the converted King unvested stock optionsSouthern District of New York, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of New York, the United States District Court for the Central District of California, the United States District Court for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania and equity awards was approximately $40 million, which will be recognized over a weighted average service periodthe United States District Court for the District of approximately 1.6 years.

The remaining portion of outstanding unvested awards that were assumed were replaced with deferred cash awards. The cash proceeds were placed in an escrow-like account, with the cash releases occurring as future services are rendered in accordance with the awards’ original vesting schedules. The cash associated with these awards is recorded in “Other current assets” and “Other assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The portion of the fair value related to pre-combination services of $22 million was included in the purchase price while the remaining fair value of approximately $9 million will be recognized over the remaining service periods.

Identifiable Intangible Assets Acquired and Goodwill

The internally-developed franchises, customer base, developed software, and trade name intangible assets will be amortized to “Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues: Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses,” “Sales and marketing,” “Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues: Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses,” and “General and administrative,” respectively. The intangible assets will be amortized over their estimated useful lives in proportion to the economic benefits received.

The $2.7 billion of goodwill recognized is primarily attributable to the benefits the Company expects to derive from accelerated expansion as an interactive entertainment provider in the mobile sector, future franchises, and technology, as well as the management team’s proven ability to create future games and franchises. Approximately $620 million of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes in the U.S.

King Net Revenue and Earnings

The amount of net revenue and earnings attributable to King in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, the period of the King Acquisition, are included in the table below. The amounts presented represent the net revenues and earnings after adjustments for purchase price accounting, inclusive of amortization of intangible assets, share-based payments, and deferral of revenues and related cost of revenues.

(in millions)

 

For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016

 

Net revenues

 

  $

447

 

  $

1,088

 

Net loss

 

  $

(72)

 

  $

(171)

 

Pro Forma Financial Information

The unaudited financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations ofDelaware against the Company and King for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, on a pro forma basis, as though the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2015.its directors: Stein v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al., No. 1:22-cv-01560 (S.D.N.Y.); Perry v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al., No. 1:22-cv-02074 (S.D.N.Y.); Whitfield v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al., 2:22-cv-01182 (E.D.N.Y.); Lande v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al., No. 1:22-cv-01267 (E.D.N.Y.); Watson v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al., No. 2:22-cv-01268 (C.D. Cal.); Rubin v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al., No. 2:22-cv-01343 (C.D. Cal.); Baker v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al., No. 2:22-cv00875 (E.D. Pa.); and David v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al., No. 1:22-cv-00339 (D. Del.). The 2016 pro forma financial information presented includes the effectscomplaints each assert violations of adjustments related to amortization charges from acquired intangible assets, employee compensation from replacement equity awards issued in the King AcquisitionSection 14(a) and the profit-sharing bonus plan established as partSection 20(a) of the King Acquisition,Exchange Act and interest expense from the new debt, among other adjustments. We also adjusted for Activision Blizzard and King non-recurring acquisition related costs of approximately $69 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

The unaudited pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the King Acquisition, and any borrowings undertaken to finance the King Acquisition, had taken place at the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor does it intend to be a projection of future results.

(in millions)

 

For the Three Months Ended
September 30, 2016

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30, 2016

 

Net revenues

 

  $

1,568

 

  $

4,873

 

Net income

 

  $

218

 

  $

739

 

Basic earnings per common share

 

  $

0.29

 

  $

0.99

 

Diluted earnings per common share

 

  $

0.29

 

  $

0.97

 

15.Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Inventory

In July 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the measurement of inventory which requires inventory within the scope of the guidance to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. We adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2017, and applied it prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance, providing a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. We anticipate adopting the accounting standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method, which recognizes the cumulative effect upon adoption as an adjustment to retained earnings at the adoption date.

We believe the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard may have a significant impact in the following areas:

·                  The accounting for our sales of our games with significant online functionality for which we do not have vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) for unspecified future updates and ongoing online services provided. Under the current accounting standards, VSOE for undelivered elements is required. This requirement will be eliminated under the new standard. Accordingly, we will be required to recognize as revenue a portion of the sales price upon delivery of the software, as compared to the current requirement of recognizing the entire sales price ratably over an estimated service period. We expect this difference to primarily impact revenues from our Call of Duty franchise. Many of our other franchises, such as Destiny, Overwatch, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush, are hosted service arrangements, and we do not expect any significant impact on the accounting for our sales of these games.

·                  The accounting for certain of our software licensing arrangements. While the impacts of the new standard may differ on a contract-by-contract basis (the actual revenue recognition treatment required under the standard will depend on contract-specific terms), we expectallege that the new standard will generally result in earlier revenue recognition for these arrangements.

We are continuing to evaluate the additional impacts this new accounting guidance may have on our financial statements and related disclosures, including the impacts of these changes to our processes and internal controls. We expect that the new disclosure requirements will require us to design and implement additional internal controls over financial reporting.

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for leases. The new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic. The new standard, among other things, requires a lessee to classify a lease as either an operating or financing lease, and lessees will need to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for their leases. The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment for initial direct costs, lease incentives received, and any prepaid lease payments. Operating leases will result in a straight-line expense pattern, while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. Currently, we do not plan to early adopt this new standard.

Financial Instruments

In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new standard, among other things, generally requires companies to measure investments in other entities, except those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. The new standard also simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and the guidance should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity investments without readily determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements.

Statement of Cash Flows-Restricted Cash

In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification of restricted cash in thepreliminary proxy statement of cash flows. The new standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain any change during the period in total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. Therefore, restricted cash will be included with “Cash and cash equivalents” when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and should be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted.

We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. We expect there would be a significant impact to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for 2016, as this period includes, as an investing activity, the $3.6 billion movement in restricted cash resulting from the transfer of cash into escrow at December 31, 2015, to facilitate the King Acquisition and the subsequent release of that cash in 2016filed in connection with the King Acquisition. Under this new standard,proposed transaction between the restricted cash balance would be includedCompany and Microsoft omitted certain purportedly material information which rendered the preliminary proxy statement incomplete and misleading. Specifically, the complaints allege that the preliminary proxy statement failed to disclose material information regarding the sales process, the Company’s projections and the financial analyses of the Company’s financial advisor. The complaints sought, among other things, an order to enjoin the transaction unless additional disclosures were issued; and, if the transaction closes, damages. The Watson complaint also alleges that the Company’s directors entered into the transaction for self-interested reasons, including receipt of personal benefits in the beginning and ending total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balances and, hence, would not be included as an investing activity in the statement of cash flows.

Goodwill

In January 2017, the FASB issued new guidance which eliminates Step 2 from the goodwill impairment test. Instead, if any entity forgoes a Step 0 test, an entity will be required to perform its annual or interim goodwill impairment test by comparing the fair value of a reporting unit, as determined in Step 1 from the goodwill impairment test, with its carrying amount and recognize an impairment charge, if any, for the amount by which the carrying amount exceeds the reporting unit’s fair value, not to exceed the total amount of goodwill allocated to the reporting unit. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2019 and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. The effect of adoption should be reflected astransaction. All of the beginningcomplaints have been voluntarily dismissed.


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Following the announcement of the fiscal yearproposed transaction with Microsoft, the Company also received several demand letters from purported stockholders and two lawsuits, Sjunde AP-Fonden v. Activision Blizzard, Inc., No. 2022-0281-KSJM (Del. Ch.) and New York City Employees’ Retirement System et. al. v. Activision Blizzard, Inc., No. 2022-0365-KSJM (Del. Ch.) (together the “220 Complaints”), for books and records pursuant to 8 Del. C. § 220. Among other things, the demand letters and the 220 Complaints seek to investigate purported breaches of adoption. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our consolidated financial statements.

Derivatives and Hedging

In August 2017, the FASB issued new guidancefiduciary duty related to the accounting for derivatives and hedging. The new guidance expands and refines hedge accounting for both financial and non-financial risk components, alignsproposed transaction. Specifically, the recognition and presentationdemands seek to investigate Mr. Kotick’s role in the proposed transaction with one of the effectsdemands alleging that Mr. Kotick’s position at the Company was at risk given workplace issues and he chose to pursue a transaction rather than resign. Such demand further alleges that Mr. Kotick agreed to a price range without authorization from our Board of hedging instrumentsDirectors and hedged itemsthat our Board of Directors allowed Mr. Kotick to control the transaction process. Such demand also alleges that the transaction price is inadequate because Microsoft’s opportunistic offer took advantage of the Company’s purportedly depressed stock price and that management may have attempted to validate the consideration through downward adjustments to the Company’s long-range plan.


On November 3, 2022 a lawsuit captioned, Sjunde AP-Fonden v. Activision Blizzard, Inc. et al., C.A. No. 2022-1001-CM (Del. Ch.) was filed under seal in the financial statements, and includes certain targeted improvements to easeCourt of Chancery of the applicationState of current guidance related to the assessmentDelaware on behalf of a hedge’s effectiveness. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted.  If early adopted, the new standard must generally be applied asclass of stockholders of the beginningCompany. The complaint names the Company, our directors, Microsoft and Merger Sub as defendants. The complaint alleges that the director defendants breached their fiduciary duty in connection with the initiation, timing, negotiation, approval and disclosure of the fiscal yearmerger. The complaint also alleges that the merger was not approved in compliance with the requirements of adoption. 8 Del. C. § 251, and seeks a declaration that the Merger would be invalid if consummated. The complaint also asserts a claim against Microsoft and Merger Sub for aiding and abetting the purported breaches of fiduciary duty and conspiring with the director defendants in those breaches.

We are evaluatingunable to predict the impact of this new accounting guidancethe above pending matters on our business, financial statementscondition, results of operations, or liquidity at this time.

The Company has received voluntary requests for information from the SEC and a grand jury subpoena from the United States Department of Justice related disclosures. We expect, based on our current outstanding derivative instruments,to their respective investigations into trading by third parties—including persons known to the new guidance will not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Company’s CEO—in securities prior to the announcement of the proposed transaction with Microsoft. The Company is fully cooperating with these investigations.
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Item 2.    Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations


Business Overview


Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content and services. We develop and distribute content and services across all of the major gaming platforms, includingon video game consoles, personal computers (“PC”PCs”), and mobile devices. We also operate esports leagues and offer digital advertising within some of our content. The terms “Activision Blizzard,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used to refer collectively to Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its subsidiaries.

The


Merger Agreement

On January 18, 2022, we entered into an Agreement and Plan of Merger (the “Merger Agreement”) with Microsoft Corporation (“Microsoft”) and Anchorage Merger Sub Inc. (“Merger Sub”), a wholly owned subsidiary of Microsoft. Subject to the terms and conditions of the Merger Agreement, Microsoft agreed to acquire the Company was originally incorporatedfor $95.00 per issued and outstanding share of our common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, in California in 1979an all-cash transaction. Pursuant to the Merger Agreement, following consummation of the merger of Merger Sub with and was reincorporated in Delaware in December 1992. We areinto the Company (the “Merger”), the Company will be a wholly-owned subsidiary of Microsoft. As a result of the 2008Merger, we will cease to be a publicly traded company. We have agreed to various customary covenants and agreements, including, among others, agreements to conduct our business combinationin the ordinary course during the period between the execution of the Merger Agreement and the effective time of the Merger. We do not believe these restrictions will prevent us from meeting our debt service obligations, ongoing costs of operations, working capital needs or capital expenditure requirements. The consummation of the Merger remains subject to customary closing conditions, including satisfaction of certain regulatory approvals. On April 28, 2022, the Company’s stockholders adopted the Merger Agreement at a special meeting of stockholders. The Merger is currently expected to close in Microsoft’s fiscal year ending June 30, 2023.

For additional information related to the Merger Agreement, please refer to the Definitive Proxy Statement on Schedule 14A filed with the U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (the “Business Combination”“SEC”) on March 21, 2022, as supplemented by and among the Company (then knownCurrent Report on Form 8-K filed with the SEC on April 15, 2022, as Activision, Inc.), Vivendi S.A. (“Vivendi”)well as Part I Item 1 “Business” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021, and Vivendi Games, Inc., an indirect wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi. Inother relevant materials in connection with the consummationproposed transaction with Microsoft that we will file with the SEC and that will contain important information about the Company and the Merger.

Employment Matters

We are subject to legal proceedings regarding our workplace and are experiencing adverse effects related to these proceedings and to concerns raised about our workplace. For information about these matters, see Note 17 of the Business Combination, Activision, Inc. was renamed Activision Blizzard, Inc.

The common stock of Activision Blizzard is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market undernotes to the ticker symbol “ATVI.”

The King Acquisition

On February 23, 2016 (the “King Closing Date”), we acquired King Digital Entertainment, a leading interactive mobile entertainment company (“King”), by purchasing all of its outstanding shares (the “King Acquisition”). We made this acquisition because we believe that the addition of King’s highly complementary mobile business positions us as a global leader in interactive entertainment across mobile, console, and PC platforms, as well as positioning us for future growth. The aggregate purchase price of approximately $5.8 billion was funded primarily with $3.6 billion of existing cash and $2.2 billion of cash from new debt issued by the Company. King’s results of operations since the King Closing Date are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements.

Our Segments

As partstatements included in Item 1 of the continued implementationthis Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q and Part I, Item 1A “Risk Factors” of our esports strategy, we instituted changes toAnnual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2021.


In May 2022, a group of quality assurance workers at our internal organizationRaven Software studio in Wisconsin voted in favor of forming a union with the Communication Workers of America. In July 2022, a group of quality assurance workers for Blizzard in New York announced the formation of a union and reporting structure suchhave filed for union representation with the U.S. National Labor Relations Board (the “NLRB”). The NLRB recently announced that the Major League Gaming (“MLG”) business now operates as a division of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”). As such, commencing with the second quarter of 2017, MLG,election will take place by mail-in ballot, which was previously a separate operating segment, is now a component of the Blizzard operating segment. MLG is responsible for the operations of the Overwatch LeagueTM, along with other esports events, and will also continue to serve as a multi-platform network for Activision Blizzard esports content.

be counted on November 18, 2022.


Our Segments

Based onupon our organizational structure, we conduct our business through three reportable segments, as follows:

(i) Activision Publishing, Inc.

Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Activision”),each of which is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive software products and entertainment content particularly in console gaming.and services based primarily on our internally-developed intellectual properties.


(i) Activision primarilyPublishing, Inc.

Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Activision”) delivers content through retailboth premium and digital channels, includingfree-to-play offerings and primarily generates revenue from full-game and in-game sales, as well as licenses ofby licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Activision products. Activision develops, markets and sells products which are principally based on our internally-developed intellectual properties, as well as some licensed properties. We have also established a long-term alliance with Bungie to publish its game universe, Destiny.

Activision’s key product franchises include:offerings include titles and content for Call of Duty®, a first-person shooter foraction franchise. Activision also includes the console and PC platforms; Destiny, an online universeactivities of first-person action gameplay (which we call a “shared-world shooter”) for console and PC platforms; and Skylanders®the Call of Duty League™, a franchise geared towards children that brings physical toys to life digitally in the game, primarily for console platforms.

global professional esports league with city-based teams.


35

(ii) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.


Blizzard is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive software products and entertainment content, particularly in PC gaming. Blizzard primarilyEntertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”) delivers content through retailboth premium and digital channels, including subscriptions,free-to-play offerings and primarily generates revenue from full-game and in-game sales, as well as licenses ofsubscriptions, and by licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Blizzard products. Blizzard also maintains a proprietary online gaming serviceplatform, Battle.net®, which facilitates digital distribution of Blizzard content and selected Activision content, online social connectivity, across all Blizzard games, and the creation of user-generated content for Blizzard’s games. As noted above, Blizzard also includes the activities of our MLG business, which is devoted to esports.

content. Blizzard’s key product franchises include:offerings include titles and content for: the Warcraft® franchise, which includes World of Warcraft®, a subscription-based massive multi-player online role-playing game, for the PC; StarCraft®, a real-time strategy PC franchise; Diablo®, an action role-playing franchise for the PC and console platforms; Hearthstone®, an online collectible card franchise forgame based in the PCWarcraftuniverse; Diablo® in the action role-playing genre; and mobile platforms; HeroesOverwatch® in the team-based first-person action genre. Blizzard also includes the activities of the Storm®Overwatch League™, a free-to-play team brawler for the PC; and Overwatch®, a team-based first-person shooter for the PC and console platforms.

global professional esports league with city-based teams.


(iii) King Digital Entertainment


King is a leading global developerDigital Entertainment (“King”) delivers content through free-to-play offerings and publisher of interactive entertainment contentprimarily generates revenue from in-game sales and services, particularlyin-game advertising on mobile platforms, such as Google’s Android and Apple’s iOS. King also distributes its content and services on online social platforms, such as Facebook and the king.com websites. King’s games are free-to-play, however, players can acquire in-game items, either with virtual currency the players purchase, or directly using real currency.

platforms. King’s key product franchises, all of which areofferings include titles and content for the PC and mobile platforms, include: Candy Crush™, which featuresa “match three” games; Farm Heroes™, which also features “match three” games; Pet Rescue™, which is a “clicker” game; and Bubble Witch™, which features “bubble shooter” games.

franchise.


Other


We also engage in other businesses that do not represent reportable segments, including:

·                  the Activision Blizzard Studios (“Studios”) business, which is devoted to creating original film and television content based onincluding our library of globally recognized intellectual properties, and which, in October 2017, released the second season of the animated TV series Skylanders™ Academy on Netflix; and

·                  the Activision Blizzard Distribution (“Distribution”) business, which consists of operations in Europe that provide warehousing, logistics, and sales distribution services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations, and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware.


Business Results and Highlights


Financial Results

During


For the three months ended September 30, 2017:

·2022:


consolidated net revenues increased 3%decreased 14% to $1.62$1.8 billion whileand consolidated operating income decreased 13%41% to $257$485 million, as compared to consolidated net revenues of $1.57$2.1 billion and consolidated operating income of $294$824 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016;

·                  revenues from digital online channels were $1.35 billion, or 84% of consolidated net revenues,in 2021; and were comparable to the $1.34 billion, or 86% of consolidated net revenues, for the three months ended September 30, 2016;

·                  operating margin was 15.9%, as compared with 18.8% for the three months ended September 30, 2016, with the lower margin primarily due to an increased percentage of revenues coming from our lower-margin Distribution business and higher personnel costs to support the growth of our business and expanding areas of opportunity;

·                  consolidated net income decreased 6% to $188 million, as compared to $199 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016;

·                  consolidated net income included $15 million of excess tax benefits from share-based payments, as compared to $12 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016; and

·


diluted earnings per common share decreased 4%33% to $0.25,$0.55, as compared to $0.26 for the three months ended September 30, 2016.

During$0.82 in 2021.


For the nine months ended September 30, 2017:

·2022:


consolidated net revenues increased 8%decreased 22% to $4.97$5.2 billion and consolidated operating income increased 10%decreased 49% to $1.09$1.3 billion, as compared to consolidated net revenues of $4.59$6.6 billion and consolidated operating income of $987 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016;

·                  revenues from digital online channels increased 19% to $4.05$2.6 billion which was 81% of consolidated net revenues, as compared to $3.41 billion, which was 74% of consolidated net revenues, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016;

·                  operating margin was 21.9%, which was comparable with 21.5% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016;

·                  cash flows generated from operating activities were $1.06 billion, a decrease of 19%, as compared to $1.30 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016;

·                  consolidated net income increased 20% to $858 million, as compared to $713 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016;

·                  consolidated net income included $97 million of excess tax benefits from share-based payments, as compared to $63 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016; and

·in 2021;


diluted earnings per common share increased 19%decreased 48% to $1.12,$1.41, as compared to $0.94 for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

$2.72 in 2021; and


cash flows from operating activities were approximately $1.1 billion, a decrease of 37%, as compared to $1.8 billion in 2021.

Since certain of our games are hosted online or include significant online functionality that represents an essential component of gameplay and, as a result, a more-than-inconsequential separate deliverable,performance obligation, we initially defer the software-related revenuestransaction price allocable to the online functionality from the sale of these games and recognize the attributable revenues over the relevant estimated service periods, which are generally less than a year. Net revenues and operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, include a net effect of $284$47 million and $132$25 million, respectively, from the deferral of net revenues and related cost of revenues. Net revenues and operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, include a net effect of $458$246 million and $370$210 million, respectively, from the recognition of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues.


36

The percentages of our consolidated net revenues from revenue sources that are recognized at a “point-in-time” and from sources that are recognized “over-time and other” were as follows:

For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022202120222021
Point-in-time (1)12 %14 %10 %11 %
Over-time and other (2)88 %86 %90 %89 %

(1)Revenues recognized at a “point-in-time” are primarily comprised of the portion of revenues from software products that are recognized when the customer takes control of the product (i.e., upon delivery of the software product) and revenues from our Distribution business.

(2)Revenues recognized “over-time and other revenue” are primarily comprised of revenues associated with the online functionality of our games, in-game purchases, and subscriptions.

Summary of Title Release Highlights

GamesDates


Below is a summary of release dates for certain of our titles, including those discussed throughout our analysis for our operating metrics, consolidated results, and operating segment results.

TitleRelease Date
Call of Duty: Vanguard
November 2021, and when referred to herein, is inclusive of Call of Duty: Warzone from the release of Call of Duty: Vanguard Season 1 content and Call of Duty: Warzone Pacific on December 8, 2021
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War
November 2020, and when referred to herein, is inclusive of Call of Duty: Warzone from the release of Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War Season 1 content on December 16, 2020 through December 8, 2021
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare
October 2019, and when referred to herein, is inclusive of Call of Duty: Warzone from its release in March 2020 through December 16, 2020
Call of Duty: MobileOctober 2019
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King ClassicSeptember 2022
Diablo ImmortalJune 2022
Diablo II: ResurrectedSeptember 2021
World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade ClassicJune 2021
World of Warcraft: ShadowlandsNovember 2020

Operating Metrics

The following operating metrics are key performance indicators that we use to evaluate our business. The key drivers of changes in our operating metrics are presented in the order of significance.

Net bookings and in-game net bookings

We monitor net bookings and in-game net bookings as key operating metrics in evaluating the performance of our business because they enable an analysis of performance based on the timing of actual transactions with our customers and provide a more timely indication of trends in our operating results. Net bookings is the net amount of products and services sold digitally or sold-in physically in the period and includes license fees, merchandise, and publisher incentives, among others. Net bookings is equal to net revenues excluding the impact from deferrals. In-game net bookings primarily includes the net amount of microtransactions and downloadable content thatsold during the period and is equal to in-game net revenues excluding the impact from deferrals.

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Net bookings and in-game net bookings were released duringas follows (amounts in millions):

For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
20222021Increase (Decrease)20222021Increase (Decrease)
Net bookings$1,829 $1,880 $(51)$4,948 $5,867 $(919)
In-game net bookings$1,356 $1,198 $158 $3,564 $3,859 $(295)

Q3 2022 vs. Q3 2021

Net bookings

The decrease in net bookings for the three months ended September 30, 2017, include:

·                  Activision’s Absolution,2022, as compared to the third downloadable content pack for three months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to a $161 million decrease in Activision net bookings, driven by lower net bookings from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare™;

·                  Activision’s Destiny 2, the sequelVanguard as compared to Destiny;

·                  Activision’s Retribution on PlayStation 4, the fourth downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Infinite WarfareBlack Ops Cold War.


The decrease in net bookings was partially offset by:

a $50 million increase in Blizzard net bookings, driven by net bookings from Diablo Immortal, partially offset by lower net bookings from Diablo II: Resurrected; and

·                  Blizzard’s Knights


a $40 million increase in King net bookings, driven by higher net bookings from in-game player purchases in the Candy Crush franchise.

In-game net bookings

The increase in in-game net bookings for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to:

a $192 million increase in Blizzard in-game net bookings, driven by Diablo Immortal; and

a $44 million increase in King in-game net bookings, driven by the Candy Crush franchise.

The increase in in-game net bookings was partially offset by a $77 million decrease in Activision in-game net bookings, driven by lower in-game net bookings from Call of Duty: Vanguard, as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.

YTD Q3 2022 vs. YTD Q3 2021

The decrease in net bookings for the Frozen Throne™nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to:

a $898 million decrease in Activision net bookings, driven by lower net bookings from (1) Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War, and (2) Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, partially offset by higher net bookings from prior Call of Duty franchise catalog titles; and

a $191 million decrease in Blizzard net bookings, driven by lower net bookings from (1) World of Warcraft and (2) Diablo II: Resurrected, partially offset by net bookings from Diablo Immortal.

The decrease in net bookings was partially offset by a $162 million increase in King net bookings, driven by higher net bookings from in-game player purchases in the latest expansionCandy Crush franchise.

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In-game net bookings

The decrease in in-game net bookings for the nine months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to Hearthstone.

the nine months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to a $543 million decrease in Activision in-game net bookings, driven by lower in-game net bookings from Call of Duty: Vanguard, as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.


The decrease in in-game net bookings was partially offset by:

a $133 million increase in Blizzard in-game net bookings, driven by in-game net bookings from Diablo Immortal; and

a $116 million increase in King in-game net bookings, driven by the Candy Crush franchise.

Monthly Active Users: Measuring the Size of Our User Base

Users


We monitor monthly active users (“MAUs”) as a key measure of the overall size of our user base. MAUs are the number of individuals who playedaccessed a particular game in a given month. We calculate average MAUs in a period by adding the total number of MAUs in each of the months in a given period and dividing that total by the number of months in the period. An individual who playsaccesses two of our games would be counted as two users. In addition, due to technical limitations, for Activision and King, an individual who playsaccesses the same game on two platforms or devices in the relevant period would be counted as two users. For Blizzard, an individual who playsaccesses the same game on two platforms or devices in the relevant period would generally be counted as a single user.

In certain instances, we rely on third parties to publish our games. In these instances, MAU data is based on information provided to us by those third parties or, if final data is not available, reasonable estimates of MAUs for these third-party published games.


The number of MAUs for a given period can be significantly impacted by the timing of new content releases, since new releases may cause a temporary surge in MAUs. Accordingly, although we believe that overall trendingtrends in the number of MAUs can be a meaningful performance metric, period-to-period fluctuations may not be indicative of longer-term trends. The following table details our average MAUs on a sequential quarterly basis for each of our reportable segments (amounts in millions):

 

 

September 30,
2017

 

June 30, 2017

 

March 31,
2017

 

December 31,
2016

 

September 30,
2016

 

June 30, 2016

 

Activision

 

49

 

47

 

48

 

51

 

46

 

49

 

Blizzard

 

42

 

46

 

41

 

41

 

42

 

33

 

King

 

293

 

314

 

342

 

355

 

394

 

409

 

Total

 

384

 

407

 

431

 

447

 

482

 

491

 


September 30, 2022June 30, 2022March 31, 2022December 31, 2021September 30, 2021
Activision97 94 100 107 119 
Blizzard31 27 22 24 26 
King240 240 250 240 245 
Total368 361 372 371 390 

Average MAUs decreased by 23 million, or 6%, for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared2022 are comparable to the three months ended June 30, 2017. The decrease in King’s average MAUs is2022, with the slight increase primarily due to decreases across franchises reflecting the maturity of King’s titles, as well as a decrease in Bubble Witch 3 Saga MAUs during the current quarter given the launch of the title earlier in 2017. The decrease in Blizzard’s average MAUs is due primarily to lowerhigher MAUs for the Heroes of the Storm franchise, in part due to content and feature releases during the prior quarter without comparable releases in the current quarter.

Blizzard, driven by Diablo Immortal.


Average MAUs decreased by 9822 million or 20%,6% for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.2021. The decrease in King’swas primarily due to lower average MAUs is due to decreases across King’s franchises that are largely attributable tofor Activision, driven by the maturityCall of King’s titles and less engaged users leaving the network.

Duty franchise, partly offset by higher MAUs for Blizzard, driven by Diablo Immortal.



39

Management’s Overview of Business Trends

Interactive Entertainment


Increased Competition for Talent

We believe that our continued success and Mobile Gaming Growth

Our business participatesgrowth is directly related to our ability to attract, retain, and develop top talent. We have seen increased competition in the global interactive entertainment industry. Games have become an increasingly popular form of entertainment, and we estimate the total industry has grown, on average, 19% annually over the last four calendar years. The industry continues to benefit from additional players entering the market as interactive entertainment becomes more commonplace across age groups and as more developing regions increasingly gain access to this form of entertainment.

Further, the wide adoption of smart phones globally and the free-to-play business model on those platforms has increased the total addressable market for gaming significantly. Smart phonestalent and associated free-to-play gamesexpect the competitive environment to continue at least in the short term. We have introduced gaming to new age groups and new regions and allowed gaming to occur more widely outsideexperienced challenges in both the home. Mobile gaming is now estimated to be larger than console and PC gaming and continues to grow at a significant rate. King is a leading developer of mobile and free-to-play games. In addition, our other business units have mobile efforts underway that present the opportunity for us to drive additional player investment from our franchises.

Opportunities to Expand Franchises Outside of Games

Our fans spend significant time investing in our franchises through purchasesretention of our gameexisting talent and attraction of new talent. If competition, voluntary turnover, and recruiting difficulty persist, it could continue to negatively impact our ability to deliver content whether through purchases of full games or downloadable content, or via microtransactions. Given the passion our players havein a cadence that will be optimal for our franchises, we believe there are emerging opportunities to drive player investment outside of game purchases. These opportunities include esports, film and television, and consumer products. Our efforts to build these additional opportunities are still relatively nascent,business but we view them as potentially significant sourceshave seen some recent positive trends in retention and attraction of future revenues.

As part of our efforts to take advantage oftalent.


Upcoming Content Releases

Upcoming and recently released titles in the esports opportunity, and as announced during the thirdfourth quarter of 2017, we completed2022 are:

Overwatch® 2, a free-to-play live experience within the saleworld of 12 teams forOverwatch, which launched on October 4, 2022;

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II, the Overwatch League. The Overwatch League issequel to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare, which launched on October 28, 2022, with Call of Duty: WarzoneTM 2.0 expected to launch on November 16, 2022; and

World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, the first major global professional esports league with city-based teams. The first preseason gamenext expansion to World of Warcraft, which is expected to occur in December 2017, with the inaugural season starting in January 2018.

Concentration of Sales Among the Most Popular Franchises

The concentration of retail revenues among key titles has continued as a trend in the overall interactive software industry. Accordinglaunch on November 28, 2022.


We also expect to The NPD Group, the top 10 titles accountedcontinue to deliver ongoing content for 32% of the retail sales in the U.S. interactive entertainment industry in 2016. Similarly, a significant portionvarious of our revenues have historically been derived from video games based on a few popular franchisesgames. Additionally, as publicly announced, we expect 2023 to include the releases of Diablo IV and these video games were responsible for a disproportionately high percentage of our profits. For example, the Call of Duty, Candy Crush, WorldDuty: Warzone MobileTM. We will also continue to invest in opportunities that we believe have the potential to drive our growth over the long-term, including continuing to build on our advertising initiatives and investments in mobile titles.

China License Agreements

Currently, we have licensing agreements with a third party covering the publication of Warcraft, and Overwatch franchises, collectively, accounted for 69%several Blizzard titles in China. These agreements, which contributed approximately 3% of ourActivision Blizzard’s consolidated net revenues in 2021, expire in January 2023. We are in discussions regarding the renewal of these agreements, but a mutually-satisfactory deal may not be reached. The co-development and publishing of Diablo Immortal is covered by a significantly higher percentageseparate long-term agreement between the two parties.

40

Table of our operating income, for 2016.

Contents

The top titles in the industry are also becoming more consistent as players and revenues concentrate more heavily in established franchises. Each of the top 10 console franchises in 2016 was a previously established franchise. Similarly, according to U.S rankings for the Apple App Store and Google Play Store, per App Annie Intelligence as of September 2017, the top 10 mobile games have an average tenure of 27 months.

In addition to investing in and developing sequels and content for our top titles, we are continually exploring additional ways to expand those franchises. Further, we invest in new properties in an effort to develop future top franchises. In 2014, we released Hearthstone and Destiny, in 2015, we released Heroes of the Storm, and in 2016, we released Overwatch. There is no guarantee investments like these will result in established franchises. Additionally, to diversify our portfolio of key franchises and increase our presence in the mobile market, on February 23, 2016, we acquired King.

Overall, we do expect that a limited number of popular franchises will continue to produce a disproportionately high percentage of our, and the industry’s, revenues and profits in the near future. Accordingly, our ability to maintain our top franchises and our ability to successfully compete against our competitors’ top franchises can significantly impact our performance.

Recurring Revenue Business Models

Increased consumer online connectivity has allowed us to offer players new investment opportunities and to shift our business to a more recurring and year-round model. Offering downloadable content and microtransactions, in addition to full games, allows our players to access and invest in new content throughout the year. This incremental content not only provides additional high-margin revenues, it can also increase engagement. Also, mobile games, and free-to-play games more broadly, are generally less seasonal.

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data


The following table sets forth condensed consolidated statements of operations data for the periods indicated (amounts in dollarsmillions) and as a percentage of total net revenues, except for cost of revenues, which are presented as a percentage of associated revenues (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

2017

 

2016

 

Net revenues

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product sales

 

 $

384

 

24%

 

 $

355

 

23%

 

 $

1,373

 

28%

 

 $

1,501

 

33%

 

Subscription, licensing, and other revenues

 

1,234

 

76

 

1,213

 

77

 

3,601

 

72

 

3,093

 

67

 

Total net revenues

 

1,618

 

100

 

1,568

 

100

 

4,974

 

100

 

4,594

 

100

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Costs and expenses:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Cost of revenues—product sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product costs

 

149

 

39

 

111

 

31

 

422

 

31

 

429

 

29

 

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses

 

37

 

10

 

42

 

12

 

200

 

15

 

250

 

17

 

Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game operations and distribution costs

 

249

 

20

 

237

 

20

 

717

 

20

 

620

 

20

 

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses

 

117

 

9

 

139

 

11

 

359

 

10

 

319

 

10

 

Product development

 

273

 

17

 

249

 

16

 

750

 

15

 

673

 

15

 

Sales and marketing

 

345

 

21

 

340

 

22

 

899

 

18

 

830

 

18

 

General and administrative

 

191

 

12

 

156

 

10

 

539

 

11

 

486

 

11

 

Total costs and expenses

 

1,361

 

84

 

1,274

 

81

 

3,886

 

78

 

3,607

 

79

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Operating income

 

257

 

16

 

294

 

19

 

1,088

 

22

 

987

 

21

 

Interest and other expense (income), net

37

 

2

 

63

 

4

 

121

 

3

 

181

 

3

 

Income before income tax expense

 

220

 

14

 

231

 

15

 

967

 

19

 

806

 

18

 

Income tax expense

 

32

 

2

 

32

 

2

 

109

 

2

 

93

 

2

 

Net income

 

 $

188

 

12%

 

 $

199

 

13%

 

 $

858

 

17%

 

 $

713

 

16%

 

revenues:


For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022202120222021
Net revenues
Product sales$231 13 %$423 20 %$921 18 %$1,666 25 %
In-game, subscription, and other revenues1,551 87 1,647 80 4,273 82 4,974 75 
Total net revenues1,782 100 2,070 100 5,194 100 6,640 100 
Costs and expenses
Cost of revenues—product sales:
Product costs107 46 120 28 279 30 375 23 
Software royalties and amortization72 17 153 17 272 16 
Cost of revenues—in-game, subscription, and other:
Game operations and distribution costs343 22 307 19 948 22 925 19 
Software royalties and amortization43 28 86 87 
Product development277 16 329 16 935 18 1,016 15 
Sales and marketing287 16 244 12 801 15 727 11 
General and administrative229 13 143 693 13 614 
Restructuring and related costs— — (3)— 46 
Total costs and expenses1,297 73 1,246 60 3,892 75 4,062 61 
Operating income485 27 824 40 1,302 25 2,578 39 
Interest and other (income) expense, net(15)(1)65 16 — 52 
Income before income tax expense500 28 759 37 1,286 25 2,526 38 
Income tax expense65 120 176 391 
Net income$435 24 %$639 31 %$1,110 21 %$2,135 32 %

41

Consolidated Net Revenues


The key drivers of changes in our consolidated results, operating segment results, and sources of liquidity are presented in the order of significance.

The following table summarizes our consolidated net revenues and in-game net revenues (amounts in millions):

 For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20222021Increase (Decrease)% Change20222021Increase (Decrease)% Change
Consolidated net revenues$1,782 $2,070 $(288)(14)%$5,194 $6,640 $(1,446)(22)%
In-game net revenues (1)$1,275 $1,316 $(41)(3)%$3,499 $4,058 $(559)(14)%

(1)    In-game net revenues primarily includes the increase (decrease) in deferred net amount of revenues recognized for microtransactions and downloadable content during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(decrease)

 

% Change

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(decrease)

 

% Change

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

 $

 1,618

 

 $

 1,568

 

 $

50

 

3%

 

 $

 4,974

 

 $

 4,594

 

 $

380

 

8%

 

Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues

 

(284)

 

(62)

 

(222)

 

 

 

458

 

447

 

11

 

 

 

Consolidated Net Revenues

period.


Q3 20172022 vs. Q3 2016

2021


Consolidated net revenues

The increasedecrease in consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily driven by a decrease in revenues of $429 million due to:

·to lower revenues recognized from the continued strengthfrom:


Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III, drivenCold War;

World of Warcraft; and

Diablo II: Resurrected.

This decrease was partially offset by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles, which was releasedan increase in May 2017, and continued strengthrevenues of microtransactions;

·$189 million due to higher revenues from from:


Diablo Immortal; and

the Candy Crush franchise,franchise.

The remaining net decrease in revenues of $48 million was driven by various other franchises and titles.

In-game net revenues

The decrease in in-game events and features, such asnet revenues for the live events across the franchise that coincided with the broadcasting of the game show; and

·                  revenues from Crash BandicootTM N. Sane Trilogy,which was released in June 2017.

The increase was partially offset by:

·                  lower revenues recognized from Overwatch, which was released in May 2016;

·                  lower revenues recognized from World of Warcraft, driven by the release of World of Warcraft: LegionTM in August 2016, with no comparable release in 2017; and

·                  lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare (which, when referred to herein, is inclusive of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare® Remastered), which was released in November 2016,three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the performancethree months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily driven by a decrease in in-game net revenues of $227 million due to lower in-game net revenues from:


Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III, Cold War; and

World of Warcraft.

This decrease was partially offset by an increase in in-game net revenues of $184 million due to higher in-game net revenues from:

Diablo Immortal; and

the comparable 2015 title.

Candy Crush franchise.


The remaining net increase in in-game net revenues of $2 million was driven by various other franchises and titles.

42

YTD Q3 20172022 vs. YTD Q3 2016

2021


Consolidated net revenues

The increasedecrease in consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to:

·                  higherdriven by a decrease in revenues from King titles as the current period includes King revenues for the full year-to-date period, while the comparable prior period only included King revenues for the partial period following the King Closing Date, as well as higher revenues from the Candy Crush franchise,of $1.6 billion due to in-game events and features;

·lower revenues recognized from the continued strengthfrom:


Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III, driven by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles, and continued strengthCold War;

World of microtransactions;

·                  higher revenues recognized from OverwatchWarcraft; and

·                  revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy.

The increase was partially offset by lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, as compared to the performance of


Call of Duty: Black Ops III.

Change in Deferred Revenues Recognized

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The decrease in net deferred revenues recognized for the three months ended September 30, 2017,Cold War as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to the deferralCall of revenues associated with the Destiny franchise, due to the release of Destiny 2 in September 2017, the revenues from which are largely deferred and will be recognized in future periods over an estimated service period. TheDuty: Modern Warfare.


This decrease was partially offset by net deferredan increase in revenues recognized from World of Warcraft, as compared to a net deferral of revenues in the comparable prior period$359 million due to higher revenues from:

the releaseCandy Crush franchise; and

Diablo Immortal.

The remaining net decrease in revenues of World of Warcraft: Legion $234 million was driven by various other franchises and titles.

In-game net revenues

The decrease in August 2016.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The increase inin-game net deferred revenues recognized for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily driven by a decrease in in-game net revenues of $814 million due to:

·to lower in-game net deferred revenues recognized from Overwatch,from:


Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to a net deferral of revenues in the comparable prior period due to the release of Overwatch in May 2016; and

·                  net deferred revenues recognized from World of Warcraft, as compared to a net deferral of revenues in the comparable prior period due to the release of World of Warcraft: Legion in August 2016.

The increase was partially offset by:

·                  a net deferral of revenues for the Destiny franchise due to the release of Destiny 2, as compared to net deferred revenues recognized in the comparable prior period; and

·                  lower net deferred revenues recognized from the Call of Duty franchise, primarily due to the performance of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III.

Cold War;


World of Warcraft; and

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

This decrease was partially offset by an increase in in-game net revenues of $303 million due to higher in-game net revenues from:

the Candy Crush franchise; and

Diablo Immortal.

The remaining net decrease in in-game net revenues of $48 million was driven by various other franchises and titles.

Foreign Exchange Impact


Changes in foreign exchange rates had a positive impact of $28 million and a negative impact of $34approximately $93 million and $195 million on Activision Blizzard’sour consolidated net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, respectively, as compared to the impact on net revenues forsame periods in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.previous year. The changes are primarily due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euroeuro and the British pound.


Operating Segment Results

Currently, we


We have three reportable segments.segments—Activision, Blizzard, and King. Our operating segments are consistent with the manner in which our operations are reviewed and managed by our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of: the impact of the change in deferred revenues and related cost of revenues with respect to certain of our online-enabled games; share-based compensation expense;expense (including liability awards accounted for under ASC 718); amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting; fees and other expenses (including legal fees, expenses, and accruals) related to acquisitions, associated integration activities, and
43

Table of Contents
financings; certain restructuring and related costs; and certain other non-cash charges. The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis, and accordingly, no disclosure is made with respect thereto.


Our operating segments are also consistent with our internal organizationorganizational structure, the way we assess operating performance and allocate resources, and the availability of separate financial information. We do not aggregate operating segments. As discussed in the “Business Overview” above, commencing with the second quarter of 2017, we made changes to our operating segments which reflect the changes in our organization and reporting structure. Our MLG business, which was previously included in the non-reportable “Other segments,” is now presented within the Blizzard reportable operating segment. Prior period amounts have been revised to reflect this change. This change had no impact on consolidated net revenues or operating income.


Information on the reportable segmentssegment net revenues and reconciliationssegment operating income is presented below (amounts in millions):

For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2022Increase / (decrease)
ActivisionBlizzardKingTotalActivisionBlizzardKingTotal
Segment Revenues
Net revenues from external customers$480 $534 $692 $1,706 $(161)$56 $40 $(65)
Intersegment net revenues (1)— — — (6)— (6)
Segment net revenues$480 $543 $692 $1,715 $(161)$50 $40 $(71)
Segment operating income$153 $166 $297 $616 $(91)$(22)$(6)$(119)
For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingTotal
Segment Revenues
Net revenues from external customers$641 $478 $652 $1,771 
Intersegment net revenues (1)— 15 — 15 
Segment net revenues$641 $493 $652 $1,786 
Segment operating income$244 $188 $303 $735 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022Increase / (decrease)
ActivisionBlizzardKingTotalActivisionBlizzardKingTotal
Segment Revenues
Net revenues from external customers$1,423 $1,189 $2,058 $4,670 $(898)$(158)$162 $(894)
Intersegment net revenues (1)— 29 — 29 — (33)— (33)
Segment net revenues$1,423 $1,218 $2,058 $4,699 $(898)$(191)$162 $(927)
Segment operating income$304 $314 $811 $1,429 $(745)$(223)$56 $(912)
For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021
ActivisionBlizzardKingTotal
Segment Revenues
Net revenues from external customers$2,321 $1,347 $1,896 $5,564 
Intersegment net revenues (1)— 62 — 62 
Segment net revenues$2,321 $1,409 $1,896 $5,626 
Segment operating income$1,049 $537 $755 $2,341 

(1)Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.

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Table of Contents
Reconciliations of total segment net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues from external customers and consolidated income before income tax expense are presented in the table below (amounts in millions):

For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
2022202120222021
Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:
Segment net revenues$1,715 $1,786 $4,699 $5,626 
Revenues from non-reportable segments (1)123 109 278 303 
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues (2)(47)190 246 773 
Elimination of intersegment revenues (3)(9)(15)(29)(62)
Consolidated net revenues$1,782 $2,070 $5,194 $6,640 
Reconciliation to consolidated income before income tax expense:
Segment operating income$616 $735 $1,429 $2,341 
Operating income (loss) from non-reportable segments (1)14 28 (12)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues (2)(25)154 210 562 
Share-based compensation expense (4)(102)(64)(301)(259)
Amortization of intangible assets(6)(2)(9)(8)
Merger and acquisition-related fees and other expenses (5)(10)— (58)— 
Restructuring and related costs(2)(3)(46)
Consolidated operating income485 824 1,302 2,578 
Interest and other (income) expense, net(15)65 16 52 
Consolidated income before income tax expense$500 $759 $1,286 $2,526 

(1)Includes other income and expenses outside of our reportable segments, including our Distribution business and unallocated corporate income and expenses.

(2)Reflects the net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues, along with related cost of revenues, on certain of our online-enabled products.

(3)Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.

(4)Expenses related to share-based compensation, including $25 million and $54 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, are presented in the table below (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended
September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended
September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Segment net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision

 

 $

759

 

 $

377

 

 $

382

 

 $

1,291

 

 $

1,069

 

 $

222

 

Blizzard

 

531

 

729

 

(198)

 

1,539

 

1,767

 

(228)

 

King

 

528

 

459

 

69

 

1,482

 

1,149

 

333

 

Reportable segments net revenues total

 

1,818

 

1,565

 

253

 

4,312

 

3,985

 

327

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other segments (1)

 

84

 

65

 

 

 

204

 

162

 

 

 

Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues

 

(284)

 

(62)

 

 

 

458

 

447

 

 

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

 $

1,618

 

 $

1,568

 

 

 

 $

4,974

 

 $

4,594

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Segment income (loss) from operations:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Activision

 

 $

261

 

 $

123

 

 $

138

 

 $

371

 

 $

309

 

 $

62

 

Blizzard

 

168

 

316

 

(148)

 

552

 

730

 

(178)

 

King

 

208

 

138

 

70

 

538

 

381

 

157

 

Reportable segment income from operations total

 

637

 

577

 

60

 

1,461

 

1,420

 

41

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Reconciliation to consolidated operating income and consolidated income before income tax expense:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Other segments (1)

 

(12)

 

(2)

 

 

 

(15)

 

(5)

 

 

 

Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues

 

(132)

 

(33)

 

 

 

370

 

228

 

 

 

Share-based compensation expense

 

(47)

 

(33)

 

 

 

(120)

 

(118)

 

 

 

Amortization of intangible assets

 

(187)

 

(211)

 

 

 

(571)

 

(495)

 

 

 

Fees and other expenses related to the King Acquisition (2)

 

(3)

 

(4)

 

 

 

(12)

 

(43)

 

 

 

Restructuring costs (3)

 

 

 

 

 

(11)

 

 

 

 

Other non-cash charges (4)

 

1

 

 

 

 

(14)

 

 

 

 

Consolidated operating income

 

257

 

294

 

 

 

1,088

 

987

 

 

 

Interest and other expense (income), net

 

37

 

63

 

 

 

121

 

181

 

 

 

Consolidated income before income tax expense

 

 $

220

 

 $

231

 

 

 

 $

967

 

 $

806

 

 

 

2022, respectively, related to liability awards accounted for under ASC 718.


(1)                                 Includes other income and expenses from operating segments managed outside the reportable segments, including our Studios and Distribution businesses. Also includes unallocated corporate income and expenses.

(2)

(5)Reflects fees and other expenses such as legal, banking, and professional services fees, related to our proposed transaction with Microsoft, which primarily consist of legal and advisory fees.

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Table of Contents
Segment Results

Q3 2022 vs. Q3 2021

Activision

The decrease in Activision’s segment net revenues and operating income for the King Acquisition and associated integration activities, inclusive of related debt financings.

(3)                                 Reflects restructuring charges,three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily severance costs.

(4)                                 Reflects a non-cash accounting charge to reclassify certain cumulative translation gains (losses) into earnings due to the substantial liquidationlower revenues from:


Call of certainDuty: Vanguard as compared to Call of our foreign entities.

Segment Net Revenues

Activision

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

Duty: Black Ops Cold War;


Call of Duty: Mobile; and

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

This decrease in segment net revenues and operating income was partially offset by an increase in revenues from:

prior Call of Duty franchise catalog titles; and

in-game content delivered to customers upon pre-purchase of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II as compared to Call of Duty: Vanguard.

The decrease in segment operating income was further offset by lower product development costs, primarily driven by (1) higher capitalization of development costs and (2) lower bonuses as a result of lower business performance, in addition to lower cost of sales for Call of Duty: Mobile as a result of lower revenues. These were partially offset by increased costs due to expanded development teams.

Blizzard

The increase in Activision’sBlizzard’s segment net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to:

·                  higherto revenues from the Destiny franchise, driven by the release of Destiny 2 in September 2017;

·                  revenues from the continued strength of Call of Duty: Black Ops IIIDiablo Immortal, driven by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles, which was released in May 2017, and continued strength of microtransactions; and

·                  revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which was released in June 2017.

The increase was partially offset by lower revenues from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, which was releasedDiablo II: Resurrected.


Despite the increase in November 2016,segment net revenues, Blizzard’s segment operating income decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to Callthe three months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to higher cost of Duty: Black Ops III,sales and marketing costs for Diablo Immortal, partially offset by lower software amortization and royalties on Diablo II: Resurrected.

King

The increase in King’s segment net revenues for the comparable 2015 title.

three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to higher revenues from in-game player purchases in the Candy Crush franchise.


Despite the increase in segment net revenues, King’s segment operating income decreased for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021, primarily due to lower insurance claim proceeds, as the prior year included receipt of insurance proceeds relating to a network outage which occurred in 2018 from changes made by a third-party partner which inadvertently impacted some users’ ability to play and spend money in King games.

YTD Q3 20172022 vs. YTD Q3 2016

2021


Activision

The increasedecrease in Activision’s segment net revenues and operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to lower revenues from:

Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War; and

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Table of Contents
Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

This decrease in segment net revenues and operating income was partially offset by an increase in revenues from prior Call of Duty franchise catalog titles.

The decrease in segment operating income was also partially offset by:

lower product development costs primarily driven by (1) higher capitalization of development costs and (2) lower bonuses as a result of lower business performance, partially offset by increased costs due to expanded development teams; and

lower cost of sales driven by the same drivers and partially offsetting factors as for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as discussed above.

lower revenues.


Blizzard

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016


The decrease in Blizzard’s segment net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to:

·                  lower revenues from World of Warcraft, driven by the release of World of Warcraft: Legion in August 2016, with no comparable release in 2017; and

·                  lower revenues from Overwatch, which was released in May 2016.

The decrease was partially offset by:

·                  higher revenues from Hearthstone; and

·                  higher revenues from Diablo III, primarily due to the release of Rise of the Necromancer™, a downloadable content pack for Diablo III which was released in June 2017.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The decrease in Blizzard’s net revenues operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to lower revenues from:


World of Warcraft; and

Diablo II: Resurrected.

This decrease in segment net revenues and operating income was partially offset by:

revenues from Diablo Immortal; however, the same drivers as for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as discussed above.

benefit to segment operating income from these revenues was partially offset by associated cost of sales and marketing costs;


lower product development costs, driven by higher capitalized development costs due to product development cycles, partially offset by increased costs due to expanded development teams; and

lower software amortization and royalties on Diablo II: Resurrected.

King

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016


The increase in King’s segment net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to higher revenues from the Candy Crush franchise driven by in-game events and features.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The increase in King’s net revenuesoperating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to the current period including King revenues for the full year-to-date period, while the comparable prior period only included King revenues for the partial period following the King Closing Date, as well as higher revenues from in-game player purchases in the Candy Crush franchise, due to in-game events and features.

Segment Income from Operations

Activision

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

franchise.


The resulting increase in Activision’ssegment operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to the higher revenues discussed above. The increase was partially offset by higher amortization of capitalized software costs and higher product costs primarily due to the release of Destiny 2 in September 2017, along with higher sales and marketing costs, to support that release.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The increase in Activision’s operating incomeprimarily for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to the higher revenues discussed above and lower costs associated with the Skylanders franchise, as there will not be a new release title in 2017. The increase was partially offset by the same factors discussed above as for the three months ended September 30, 2017.

Blizzard

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The decrease in Blizzard’s operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to the lower revenues discussed above. The decrease was partially offset by lower amortization of capitalized software costs due to the release of World of Warcraft: Legion in August 2016, with no comparable release in 2017.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The decrease in Blizzard’s operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to the lower revenues discussed above, along with higher product development costs resulting from lower capitalization of software development costs due to the timing of game development cycles. The decrease was partially offset by:

·                  lower sales and marketing costs for Overwatch and World of Warcraft: Legion, due to their respective launches in 2016, with no comparable releases in 2017; and

·                  lower amortization of capitalized software costs due to the release of Overwatch and World of Warcraft: Legion in 2016.

King

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The increase in King’s operating income for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to the higher revenues discussed above, along with lower sales and marketing costs from the Farm Heroes franchise given the launch of Farm Heroes Super SagaTM at the end of June 2016 with no comparable launch in the current period.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The increase in King’s operating income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to the current period including King’s results of operations for the full year-to-date period, while the comparable prior period only included King’s results of operations for the partial period following the King Closing Date.

Candy Crush franchise.


Foreign Exchange Impact

Changes in foreign exchange rates had a positivenegative impact of $34$76 million and $1$156 million on reportableActivision Blizzard’s segment net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, respectively, as compared to the impact on reportable segment net revenues forsame period in the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016.previous year. The changes are primarily due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euroeuro and the British pound.


47

Consolidated Results


Net Revenues by Distribution Channel


The following table details our consolidated net revenues by distribution channel for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(decrease)

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(decrease)

 

Net revenues by distribution channel

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital online channels (1)

 

 $

1,354

 

 $

1,344

 

 $

10

 

 $

4,048

 

 $

3,412

 

 $

636

 

Retail channels

 

168

 

157

 

11

 

698

 

1,013

 

(315)

 

Other (2)

 

96

 

67

 

29

 

228

 

169

 

59

 

Total consolidated net revenues

 

 $

1,618

 

 $

1,568

 

 $

50

 

 $

4,974

 

 $

4,594

 

 $

380

 

The increase (decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by distribution channel for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, was as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(decrease)

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(decrease)

 

Increase/(decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by distribution channel:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Digital online channels (1)

 

 $

(114)

 

 $

(158)

 

 $

44

 

 $

236

 

 $

(288)

 

 $

524

 

Retail channels

 

(177)

 

96

 

(273)

 

208

 

735

 

(527)

 

Other (2)

 

7

 

 

7

 

14

 

 

14

 

Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues

 

 $

(284)

 

 $

(62)

 

 $

(222)

 

 $

458

 

 $

447

 

 $

11

 



 For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20222021Increase/
(decrease)
20222021Increase/
(decrease)
Net revenues by distribution channel:   
Digital online channels (1)$1,606 $1,852 $(246)$4,668 $5,883 $(1,215)
Retail channels25 69 (44)177 354 (177)
Other (2)151 149 349 403 (54)
Total consolidated net revenues$1,782 $2,070 $(288)$5,194 $6,640 $(1,446)

(1)Net revenues from “Digital online channels” include revenues from digitally-distributed subscriptions, licensing royalties, value-added services, downloadable content, microtransactions, subscriptions, and products.

products, as well as licensing royalties.


(2)Net revenues from “Other” primarily include revenues from our StudiosDistribution business, the Overwatch League, and Distribution businesses, as well as revenues from MLG.

the Call of Duty League.


Q3 2022 vs. Q3 2021

Digital Online Channel Net Revenues

Net Revenues

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

Net


The decrease in net revenues from digital online channels for the three months ended September 30, 2017, were comparable2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016. This2021, was primarily due to increases inlower revenues driven by:

·                  revenues recognized from the continued strengthfrom:


Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III, drivenCold War;

World of Warcraft; and

Diablo II: Resurrected.

This decrease was partially offset by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles, which was released in May 2017, and continued strength of microtransactions; and

· higher revenues from from:


Diablo Immortal; and

the Candy Crush franchise, driven by in-game events and features.

franchise.


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Table of Contents
Retail Channel Net Revenues

The increase was partially offset by:

·                  lowerdecrease in net revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, which was released in November 2016,retail channels for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the performancethree months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to lower revenues from Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III, the comparable 2015 title;

·                  lower revenues recognized from Overwatch, which was released in May 2016; and

·                  lower revenues recognized from World of Warcraft, driven by the release of World of Warcraft: Legion in August 2016, with no comparable release in 2017.

Cold War.


YTD Q3 20172022 vs. YTD Q3 2016

2021


Digital Online Channel Net Revenues

The increasedecrease in net revenues from digital online channels for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to:

·                  higherto lower revenues from King titles,from:


Call of Duty: Vanguard as the current period includes King revenues for the full year-to-date period, while the comparable prior period only included King revenues for the partial period following the King Closing Date, as well as higher revenues from the Candy Crush franchise duecompared to in-game events and features;

·                  revenues recognized from the continued strength of Call of Duty: Black Ops III, driven by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles,Cold War;


World of Warcraft; and continued strength of microtransactions; and

·                  higher revenues recognized from Overwatch.

The increase was partially offset by lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, as compared to the performance of


Call of Duty: Black Ops III, the comparable 2015 title.

Change in Deferred Revenues Recognized

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The increase in net deferred revenues recognized from digital online channels for the three months ended September 30, 2017,Cold War as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to net deferred revenues recognized from World Call of Warcraft, as compared to a net deferral of revenues in the comparable prior period due to the release of World of Warcraft: Legion in August 2016. The increaseDuty: Modern Warfare.


This decrease was partially offset by a net deferral ofhigher revenues associated with new releases during from:

the current period, including the release of Destiny 2 in September 2017Candy Crush franchise;

Diablo Immortal; andKnights of the Frozen Throne, the latest expansion to Hearthstone, in August 2017.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The increase in net deferred revenues recognized from digital online channels for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to:

·                  net deferred revenues recognized from Overwatch, as compared to a net deferral of revenues in the comparable


prior period due to the release of Overwatch in May 2016;

·                  net deferred revenues recognized from World of Warcraft, as compared to a net deferral of revenues in the comparable prior period due to the release of World of Warcraft: Legion in August 2016; and

·                  higher deferred revenues recognized from the Call of Duty franchise (the weaker performance of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare digital content in the current period as compared to Call of Duty: Blacks Ops III in the prior period has resulted in less deferrals of revenues from digital content in 2017 as compared to 2016 and, as a result, higher deferred revenues recognized in the current period).

The increase was partially offset by a deferral of revenues associated with the release of Destiny 2 in September 2017 and Knights of the Frozen Throne in August 2017.

catalog titles.


Retail Channel Net Revenues

Net Revenues

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The increase in net revenues from retail channels for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which was released in June 2017. The increase was partially offset by:

·                  lower revenues recognized from the Call of Duty franchise, primarily due to the performance of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, as compared to the performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops III, the comparable 2015 title; and

·                  lower revenues recognized from Overwatch, which was released in May 2016.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016


The decrease in net revenues from retail channels for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to lower revenues recognized from the Call of Duty franchise, primarily due to the performance of Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare,Vanguard as compared to the performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops IIICold War. The decrease was partially offset by revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy.

Change in Deferred Revenues Recognized

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The decrease in net deferred revenues recognized from retail channels for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to:

·                  the deferral of revenues associated with the Destiny franchise given the release of Destiny 2 in September 2017; and

·                  lower net deferred revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The decrease in net deferred revenues recognized from retail channels for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to was primarily due to:

·                  lower deferred revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III; and

·                  the deferral of revenues associated with the Destiny franchise, given the release of Destiny 2 in September 2017.

The decrease was partially offset by net deferred revenues recognized from Overwatch, as compared to a net deferral of revenues in the comparable prior period, due to the release of Overwatch in May 2016.

Net Revenues by Geographic Region

The following table details our consolidated net revenues by geographic region for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(decrease)

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(decrease)

 

Geographic region net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Americas

 

 $

798

 

 $

796

 

 $

2

 

 $

2,586

 

 $

2,411

 

 $

175

 

EMEA (1)

 

593

 

499

 

94

 

1,684

 

1,528

 

156

 

Asia Pacific

 

227

 

273

 

(46)

 

704

 

655

 

49

 

Consolidated net revenues

 

 $

1,618

 

 $

1,568

 

 $

50

 

 $

4,974

 

 $

4,594

 

 $

380

 



(1)         Consists of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa geographic regions.

Americas

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

Net revenues in the Americas region for the three months ended September 30, 2017, were comparable to the three months ended September 30, 2016. Net revenues were comparable primarily due to increases in revenues from:

·                  revenues recognized from the continued strength of Call of Duty: Black Ops III, driven by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles, which was released in May 2017, and continued strength of microtransactions; and

·                  higher revenues from the Candy Crush franchise, driven by in-game events and features.

The increases were offset by:

·                  lower revenues recognized from Overwatch, which was released in May 2016; and

·                  lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, which was released in November 2016, as compared to the performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops III, the comparable 2015 title.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The increase in net revenues in the Americas region for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to:

·                  higher revenues from King titles, as the current period includes King’s revenues for the full year-to-date period, while the comparable prior period only included King’s revenues for the partial period following the King Closing Date, as well as higher revenues from the Candy Crush franchise due to in-game events and features;

·                  revenues recognized from the continued strength of Call of Duty: Black Ops III, driven by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles, and continued strength of microtransactions; and

·                  higher revenues recognized from Overwatch.

The increases were partially offset by lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, as compared to the performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops III.

EMEA

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The increase in net revenues in the EMEA region for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to:

·                  revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which was released in June 2017;

·                  revenues recognized from the continued strength of Call of Duty: Black Ops III, driven by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles, which was released in May 2017, and continued strength of microtransactions;

·                  higher revenues from our Distribution business; and

·                  higher revenues from the Candy Crush franchise.

The increases were offset by lower revenues recognized from Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, which was released in November 2016, as compared to the performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops III, the comparable 2015 title.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The increase in net revenues in the EMEA region for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to the same drivers and partially offsetting factors as those for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as discussed above.

Asia Pacific

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The decrease in net revenues in the Asia Pacific region for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to lower revenues recognized from Overwatch, which was released in May 2016.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

The increase in net revenues in the Asia Pacific region for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to higher revenues recognized from Overwatch, given the nine months ended September 30, 2017, benefited from the recognition of prior year deferred revenues generated during the launch year of Overwatch, most of which were recognized during the first six months of 2017.

Net Revenues by Platform


The following tables detail our consolidated net revenues by platform for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in millions):

 

 

For the Three Months Ended September 30,

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Platform net revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Console

 

  $

527

 

  $

452

 

  $

75

 

  $

1,710

 

  $

1,867

 

  $

(157)

 

PC

 

461

 

609

 

(148)

 

1,534

 

1,421

 

113

 

Mobile and ancillary (1)

 

534

 

440

 

94

 

1,502

 

1,137

 

365

 

Other (2)

 

96

 

67

 

29

 

228

 

169

 

59

 

Total consolidated net revenues

 

  $

1,618

 

  $

1,568

 

  $

50

 

  $

4,974

 

  $

4,594

 

  $

380

 



For the Three Months Ended September 30,For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
20222021Increase/
(decrease)
20222021Increase/
(decrease)
Net revenues by platform:
Console$336 $523 $(187)$1,195 $2,061 $(866)
PC363 578 (215)1,080 1,827 (747)
Mobile and ancillary (1)932 820 112 2,570 2,349 221 
Other (2)151 149 349 403 (54)
Total consolidated net revenues$1,782 $2,070 $(288)$5,194 $6,640 $(1,446)

(1)Net revenues from “Mobile and ancillary” primarily include revenues from mobile devices, as well as non-platform-specific game-related revenues, such as standalone sales of toys and accessories from our Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories.

devices.


(2)Net revenues from “Other” primarily include revenues from our StudiosDistribution business, the Overwatch League, and Distribution businesses, as well as revenues from MLG.

the Call of Duty League.

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Table of Contents

Console

Q3 20172022 vs. Q3 2016

2021


Console

The increasedecrease in net revenues from the console platform for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to:

·to lower revenues recognized from the continued strengthCall of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III, driven by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles, which was released in May 2017, and continued strength of microtransactions;

·                  revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, which was released in June 2017; and

·                  higher revenues recognized from the Destiny franchise, driven by the release of Destiny 2 in September 2017.

The increase was Cold War, partially offset by loweran increase in net revenues recognized from prior Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare, which was releasedDuty franchise catalog titles.


PC

The decrease in November 2016,net revenues from the PC platform for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the performancethree months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to lower revenues from:

World of Warcraft;

Diablo II: Resurrected;

Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops III,Cold War; and

Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

Mobile and Ancillary

The increase in net revenues from mobile and ancillary for the comparable 2015 title.

three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to higher revenues from:


Diablo Immortal; and

the Candy Crush franchise.

YTD Q3 20172022 vs. YTD Q3 2016

2021


Console

The decrease in net revenues from the console platform for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to lower revenues recognized from from:

Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare,Vanguard as compared to the performance of Call of Duty: Black Ops III. The decrease was partially offset by:

·                  revenues recognized from the continued strength of Cold War; and


Call of Duty: Black Ops III, drivenCold War as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

This decrease was partially offset by the downloadable content pack, Zombies Chronicles, and continued strength of microtransactions;

·                  revenues from Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy; and

·                  higher revenues recognized from Overwatch, which was released in May 2016.

PC

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The decreasean increase in net revenues from the PC platform for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to:

·                  lower revenues recognized from Overwatch, which was released in May 2016; and

·                  lower revenues recognized from Worldprior Call of Warcraft, driven by the release of World of Warcraft: Legion in August 2016, which drove higher subscription revenues in the prior period, with no comparable release in 2017.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016

Duty franchise catalog titles.


PC

The increasedecrease in net revenues from the PC platform for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to:

·                  higher revenues recognized from Overwatch, given the nine months ended September 30, 2017, benefited from the recognition of prior year deferred revenues generated during the launch year of Overwatch, most of which were recognized during the first six months of 2017; and

·                  higher revenues recognized from World of Warcraft.

Mobile and Ancillary

Q3 2017 vs. Q3 2016

The increase in net revenues from mobile and ancillary for the three months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to higherlower revenues from the Candy Crush franchise, driven by in-game eventsfrom:


World of Warcraft;

Call of Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War; and features.

YTD Q3 2017 vs. YTD Q3 2016


Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War as compared to Call of Duty: Modern Warfare.

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Table of Contents
Mobile and Ancillary

The increase in net revenues from mobile and ancillary for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to higher revenues from King titles as the current period includes King’s revenues for the full year-to-date period, while the comparable prior period only included King’s revenues for the partial period following the King Closing Date, as well as higher revenues from from:

the Candy Crush franchise due to in-game eventsfranchise; and features.


Diablo Immortal.

Costs and Expenses


Cost of Revenues


The following tables detail the components of cost of revenues in dollars (amounts in millions) and as a percentage of associated net revenues for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016 (amounts in millions):

 

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2017

 

% of associated
net revenues

 

Three Months
Ended
September 30,
2016

 

% of associated
net revenues

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Cost of revenues—product sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product costs

 

  $

149

 

39%

 

  $

111

 

31%

 

  $

38

 

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses

 

37

 

10

 

42

 

12

 

(5)

 

Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game operations and distribution costs

 

249

 

20

 

237

 

20

 

12

 

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses

 

117

 

9

 

139

 

11

 

(22)

 

Total cost of revenues

 

  $

552

 

34%

 

  $

529

 

34%

 

  $

23

 

 

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2017

 

% of associated

net revenues

 

Nine Months
Ended
September 30,
2016

 

% of associated
net revenues

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Cost of revenues—product sales:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Product costs

 

  $

422

 

31%

 

  $

429

 

29%

 

  $

(7)

 

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses

 

200

 

15

 

250

 

17

 

(50)

 

Cost of revenues—subscription, licensing, and other revenues:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Game operations and distribution costs

 

717

 

20

 

620

 

20

 

97

 

Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses

 

359

 

10

 

319

 

10

 

40

 

Total cost of revenues

 

  $

1,698

 

34%

 

  $

1,618

 

35%

 

  $

80

 

revenues:


 Three Months Ended September 30, 2022% of
associated
net revenues
Three Months Ended September 30, 2021% of
associated
net revenues
Increase
(Decrease)
Cost of revenues—product sales:
Product costs$107 46 %$120 28 %$(13)
Software royalties and amortization72 17 (63)
Cost of revenues—in-game, subscription, and other:
Game operations and distribution costs343 22 307 19 36 
Software royalties and amortization43 28 15 
Total cost of revenues$502 28 %$527 25 %$(25)

 Nine Months Ended September 30, 2022% of
associated
net revenues
Nine Months Ended September 30, 2021% of
associated
net revenues
Increase
(Decrease)
Cost of revenues—product sales:
Product costs$279 30 %$375 23 %$(96)
Software royalties and amortization153 17 272 16 (119)
Cost of revenues—in-game, subscription, and other:
Game operations and distribution costs948 22 925 19 23 
Software royalties and amortization86 87 (1)
Total cost of revenues$1,466 28 %$1,659 25 %$(193)

51

Cost of Revenues—Product Sales:

Sales:


Q3 20172022 vs. Q3 2016

2021


The increasedecrease in product costs for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarilydriven by a $11 million decrease in product costs from Activision due to the increaselower revenues.

The decrease in product sales for the period, including from our relatively lower margin Distribution business.

The software royalties amortization, and intellectual property licensesamortization related to product sales for the three months ended September 30, 2017, was comparable2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016.

2021, was primarily due to a $60 million decrease in software amortization and royalties from Blizzard, driven by lower software amortization and royalties from (1) Diablo II: Resurrected given the prior year launch and (2) World of Warcraft, as the prior year included amortization associated with the release of World of Warcraft: Shadowlands with no comparable amortization in the current period.


YTD Q3 20172022 vs. YTD Q3 2016

2021


The decrease in product costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to thedriven by:

a $65 million decrease in product salescosts for the period. This was partially offset by higherour Distribution business due to lower revenues; and

a $51 million decrease in product costs resulting from the increased revenuesActivision, driven by lower product costs for Call of our relatively lower-margin Distribution business.

Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War due to lower revenues.


The decrease in software royalties amortization, and intellectual property licensesamortization related to product sales for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to:

·


a $105 million decrease in software amortization and royalties from Blizzard, driven by lower developersoftware amortization and royalties and softwarefrom (1) World of Warcraft, as the prior year included higher amortization associated with the Destiny franchise, due to the timingrelease of releases;

·World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, and (2) Diablo II: Resurrected; and


a $15 million decrease in software amortization and royalties from Activision, driven by lower software amortization associated with Guitar Hero® Live, which was released in October 2015, with no comparable release in 2016; and

·                  lower software amortization associated with Overwatch, which was released in May 2016.

The decrease was partially offset by higher software amortization royalties from WorldCall of Warcraft: Legion, which was released in August 2016.

Duty: Vanguard as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War.


Cost of Revenues—In-game, Subscription, Licensing, and Other Revenues:


Q3 20172022 vs. Q3 2016

2021


The increase in game operations and distribution costs for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to higher platforma $37 million increase in service provider fees, associated with theprimarily digital storefront fees (e.g., fees retained by Apple and Google for our sales on their platforms), as a result of higher revenues.

The increase in revenues from King.

The decrease in software royalties amortization, and intellectual property licensesamortization related to in-game, subscription, licensing, and other revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to lowera $17 million increase in software royalties and amortization of internally-developed franchise intangible assets acquired in the King Acquisition.

from Blizzard, driven by Diablo Immortal.


YTD Q3 20172022 vs. YTD Q3 2016

2021


The increase in game operations and distribution costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to higher online costs and platforma $48 million increase in service provider fees, associated with revenues from King,primarily digital storefront fees (e.g., fees retained by Apple and Google for our sales on their platforms), as the current period includes King’s costs for a full year-to-date period, while the comparable prior period only included King’s revenuesresult of higher revenues.

Software royalties and associated costs for the partial period following the King Closing Date.

The increase in software royalties, amortization and intellectual property licenses related to in-game, subscription, licensing, and other revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared2022 were comparable to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to a full year-to-date period amortization2021.


52

Table of internally-developed franchise intangible assets acquired in the King Acquisition, while the comparable prior period only included a partial period of amortization of internally-developed franchise intangible assets following the King Closing Date.

Contents

Product Development (amounts in millions)

 

 

September 30,
2017

 

% of
consolidated
net revenues

 

September 30,
2016

 

% of
consolidated
net revenues

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Three Months Ended

 

  $

273

 

17%

 

  $

249

 

16%

 

  $

24

 

Nine Months Ended

 

  $

750

 

15%

 

  $

673

 

15%

 

  $

77

 


September 30, 2022% of
consolidated
net revenues
September 30, 2021% of
consolidated
net revenues
Increase
(Decrease)
Three Months Ended$277 16 %$329 16 %$(52)
Nine Months Ended$935 18 %$1,016 15 %$(81)

Q3 20172022 vs. Q3 2016

2021


The increasedecrease in product development costs for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was driven by a $155 million increase in capitalization of development costs resulting from the timing of our game development cycles and higher development spending of $103 million. The higher development spending was primarily due to expanded development teams and higher product development costs resulting from lower capitalization of software development costs in the current period due to the timing of game development cycles. The increase wasshare-based compensation, partially offset by lower accrued bonuses for Blizzard.

as a result of lower business performance.


YTD Q3 20172022 vs. YTD Q3 2016

2021


The increasedecrease in product development costs for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to:

·                  higher Blizzard productdriven by a $344 million increase in capitalization of development costs, resulting from lower capitalizationpartially offset by higher development spending of software development costs$263 million, in both cases due to the timing of game development cycles; and

·                  increased costs related to King,same factors as the current period includes a full year-to-date period of costs, while the comparable prior period only included King’s costsdiscussed for the partialquarter-to-date period following the King Closing Date.

The increase was partially offset by lower accrued bonuses for Activision and Blizzard.

above.


Sales and Marketing (amounts in millions)

 

 

September 30,
2017

 

% of
consolidated
net revenues

 

September 30,
2016

 

% of
consolidated
net revenues

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Three Months Ended

 

  $

345

 

21%

 

  $

340

 

22%

 

  $

5

 

Nine Months Ended

 

  $

899

 

18%

 

  $

830

 

18%

 

  $

69

 


September 30, 2022% of
consolidated
net revenues
September 30, 2021% of
consolidated
net revenues
Increase
(Decrease)
Three Months Ended$287 16 %$244 12 %$43 
Nine Months Ended$801 15 %$727 11 %$74 

Q3 20172022 vs. Q3 2016

Sales2021


The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017, were comparable2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016, as the higher sales and marketing costs for the Destiny franchise associated with the release of Destiny 2 in September 2017 were offset by lower sales and marketing costs for:

·World of Warcraft, driven by World of Warcraft: Legion, which2021, was released in August 2016, with no comparable release in 2017;

·                  King,primarily due to the launch of Farm Heroes Super Saga at the end of June 2016 with no comparable launch in 2017; and

·                  the Call of Duty franchise, primarily as the prior year included our Call of Duty XP event without a comparable event in the current period.

marketing spending for Diablo Immortal.


YTD Q3 20172022 vs. YTD Q3 2016

2021


The increase in sales and marketing expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to:

·                  increased amortization of the customer base intangible assets acquired in the King Acquisition and increased sales andto higher marketing costs to support King’s titles, as the current period includes a full year-to-date period of costs, while the comparable prior period only included King’s costsspending for the partial period following the King Closing Date;Candy Crush franchise and

·                  higher sales and marketing costs for the Destiny franchise, given the release of Destiny 2.

The increase was partially offset by lower sales and marketing costs for Overwatch and World of Warcraft: Legion, due to their launches in the prior year.

Diablo Immortal.


General and Administrative (amounts in millions)

 

 

September 30,
2017

 

% of
consolidated
net revenues

 

September 30,
2016

 

% of
consolidated
net revenues

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Three Months Ended

 

$

191

 

12%

 

$

156

 

10%

 

$

35

 

Nine Months Ended

 

$

539

 

11%

 

$

486

 

11%

 

$

53

 


September 30, 2022% of
consolidated
net revenues
September 30, 2021% of
consolidated
net revenues
Increase
(Decrease)
Three Months Ended$229 13 %$143 %$86 
Nine Months Ended$693 13 %$614 %$79 

53

Q3 20172022 vs. Q3 2016

2021


The increase in general and administrative expenses for the three months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the three months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to increasedlower insurance claim proceeds of $28 million, as the prior year included receipt of insurance proceeds relating to a network outage which occurred in 2018 from changes made by a third-party partner which inadvertently impacted some users’ ability to play and spend money in King games, and a $25 million increase in personnel costs including stock-basedas a result of higher share-based compensation expense, to support the growth of our business and expanding areas of opportunity.

expense.


YTD Q3 20172022 vs. YTD Q3 2016

2021


The increase in general and administrative expenses for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016,2021, was primarily due to:

·                  increasedto a $128 million increase in legal and other professional fees, primarily driven by our proposed transaction with Microsoft and employment-related matters, partially offset by a $51 million decrease in personnel costs to support the growthas a result of lower share-based compensation expense.


Restructuring and Related Costs (amounts in millions)

September 30, 2022% of
consolidated
net revenues
September 30, 2021% of
consolidated
net revenues
Increase
(Decrease)
Three Months Ended$— %$— %$(1)
Nine Months Ended$(3)— %$46 %$(49)

During 2019, we began implementing a plan aimed at refocusing our resources on our largest opportunities and removing unnecessary levels of complexity and duplication from certain parts of our businessbusiness. We substantially completed all actions under our plan and expanding areasaccrued for these costs accordingly in 2021. The remaining activity under the plan is primarily related to cash outlays to be made over time to impacted personnel.

Interest and Other (Income) Expense, Net (amounts in millions)

September 30, 2022% of
consolidated
net revenues
September 30, 2021% of
consolidated
net revenues
Increase
(Decrease)
Three Months Ended$(15)(1)%$65 %$(80)
Nine Months Ended$16 — %$52 %$(36)

Q3 2022 vs. Q3 2021

The change in interest and other (income) expense, net to an income balance for the three months ended September 30, 2022, as compared to an expense balance for the three months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to:

a $49 million increase in interest income due to higher market interest rate yields compared to the prior year; and

lower realized and unrealized losses on our equity investments, with unrealized losses of opportunity; and

·                  the inclusion$10 million in the current period of a non-cash accounting chargeyear as compared to reclassify certain losses included$36 million in our cumulative translation adjustments into earnings due to the substantial liquidation of certain of our foreign entities.

prior year.


YTD Q3 2022 vs. YTD Q3 2021

The increase was partially offset by lower transaction costs, asdecrease in interest and other (income) expense, net, for the nine months ended September 30, 2016, included2022, as compared to the King Acquisition.

Interestnine months ended September 30, 2021, was primarily due to:


a $65 million increase in interest income due to higher market interest rate yields compared to the prior year; and Other

lower realized and unrealized gains on our equity investments, with unrealized losses of $6 million in the current year as compared to $35 million in realized and unrealized gains in the prior year.
54

Income Tax Expense (Income), Net (amounts in millions)

 

 

September 30,
2017

 

% of
consolidated
net revenues

 

September 30,
2016

 

% of
consolidated
net revenues

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Three Months Ended

 

$

37

 

2%

 

$

63

 

4%

 

$

(26

)

Nine Months Ended

 

$

121

 

3%

 

$

181

 

3%

 

$

(60

)


September 30, 2022% of
Pretax
income
September 30, 2021% of
Pretax
income
Increase
(Decrease)
Three Months Ended$65 13 %$120 16 %$(55)
Nine Months Ended$176 14 %$391 15 %$(215)

The income tax expense of $65 million for the three months ended September 30, 2022 reflects an effective tax rate of 13%, which is comparable to the effective tax rate of 16% for the three months ended September 30, 2021. Our tax rate in the current quarter is lower than in the prior year due to changes in the mix of our pre-tax income between countries, partially offset by discrete tax benefits recognized in 2021, related to a favorable tax return to accrual adjustment and excess tax benefits from share-based payments.

The income tax expense of $176 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2022 reflects an effective tax rate of 14%, which is comparable to the effective tax rate of 15% for the nine months ended September 30, 2021. The decrease is primarily due to changes in interestthe mix of our pre-tax income among countries, partially offset by a discrete tax benefit recognized in 2021 related to deferred tax remeasurement.

The effective tax rate of 13% and other expense (income), net,14% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, was primarily due to our lower total outstanding debt and lower interest rates on our current debt instruments as a result of our refinancing activities in 2016 and 2017. See further discussion below under “Liquidity and Capital Resources.”

Income Tax Expense (amounts in millions)

 

 

September 30,
2017

 

% of pretax
income

 

September 30,
2016

 

% of pretax
income

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Three Months Ended

 

$

32

 

15%

 

$

32

 

14%

 

$

 

Nine Months Ended

 

$

109

 

11%

 

$

93

 

12%

 

$

16

 

The income tax expense of $32 million for the three months ended September 30, 2017, reflects an effective tax rate of 15%, which is higher than the effective tax rate of 14% for the three months ended September 30, 2016. The increase is due to lower discrete tax benefits recognized in the current quarter, partially offset by higher excess tax benefits from share-based payments.

The income tax expense of $109 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, reflects an effective tax rate of 11%, which is lower than the effective tax rate of 12% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease is due to higher excess tax benefits from share-based payments in the current period, partially offset by lower discrete tax benefits, primarily related to an audit settlement recognized in the prior period.

The effective tax rate of 15% and 11% for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, respectively, is lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 35%21%, primarily due to lower taxes on foreign earnings taxed at lower statutory rates, the recognition of excess tax benefits from share-based payments, and the recognition of federal and CaliforniaU.S. research and development credits, partially offset by an increase of reserves for uncertain tax positions.

Ourcredits.


The overall effective tax rate differs from the statutory U.S. income tax rate due to the effectin future periods will depend on a variety of statefactors, such as changes in pre-tax income or loss by jurisdiction, applicable accounting rules, applicable tax laws and local income taxes,regulations, and rulings and interpretations thereof, developments in tax rates in foreign jurisdictions,audits and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter based on recurringother matters, and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to: variations in the estimated and actual level of annual pre-tax income or loss by jurisdiction; changes in the mix of income by tax jurisdiction (as taxes are levied at relatively lower statutory rates in foreign regions and relatively higher statutory rates in the U.S.); research and development credits; changes in enacted tax laws and regulations, rulings, and interpretations thereof, including with respect to tax credits, and state and local income taxes; developments in tax audits and other matters; recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies from share-based payments; and certain nondeductible expenses. Changes in judgment from the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition, or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change.

Furtherloss.


Other information about our income taxes is provided in Note 1014 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.


Liquidity and Capital Resources


We believe our ability to generate cash flows from operating activities is one of our fundamental financial strengths. In the near term, we expect our business and financial condition to remain strong and to continue to generate significant operating cash flows. We believe these operating cash flows, in combination with our existing balance of cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $10.9 billion, and the availability of our $1.5 billion revolving credit facility, will be sufficient to finance our operational and financing requirements for the next 12 months and beyond. Our primary sources of liquidity which are available to us to fund cash outflows such as our anticipated dividend payments, share repurchases, and scheduled debt maturities, include our cash and cash equivalents, short- and long-termshort-term investments, and cash flows provided by operating activities. With ourOur material cash requirements include operating expenses, potential dividend payments and cash equivalentsshare repurchases, scheduled debt maturities (the next of which is in 2026), capital expenditures and short-term investments of $3.7 billion at September 30, 2017, and the expected cash flows provided by our operating activities, we believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet daily operations for the foreseeable future. We also believe that we have sufficient working capital ($3.0 billion at September 30, 2017) to finance our operational and financing requirements for at least the next 12 months. Additionally, we have the availability of a $250 million revolving credit facility.

other commitments, as discussed below.


As of September 30, 2017,2022, the amount of cash and cash equivalents held outside of the U.S. by our foreign subsidiaries was $2.3$4.5 billion, as compared to $1.9$3.9 billion as of December 31, 2016. If the2021. These cash and cash equivalents held outside of the U.S.balances are needed in the futuregenerally available for our operationsuse in the U.S., we would accrue and pay the required U.S. taxessubject in some cases to repatriate these funds. However, our intent is to permanently reinvest these funds outside of the U.S. and our current plans do not demonstrate a need to repatriate them to fund our U.S. operations.

Furthermore, ourcertain restrictions.


Our cash provided from operating activities is somewhat impacted by seasonality. Working capital needs are impacted by weekly sales, which are generally highest in the fourth quarter due to seasonaltitle release timing and holiday-related sales patterns. OnWe consider, on a continuing basis, we consider various transactions to increase shareholder value and enhance our business results, including acquisitions, divestitures, joint ventures, dividends, share repurchases, and other structural changes.changes, with certain of the foregoing actions, if we were to move forward with them, requiring Microsoft's approval under the Merger Agreement (which may not be unreasonably withheld, conditioned, or delayed), subject to certain exceptions. These transactions may result in future cash proceeds or payments.


55

Sources of Liquidity (amounts in millions)

 

 

September 30, 2017

 

December 31, 2016

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Cash and cash equivalents

 

$

3,576

 

$

3,245

 

$

331

 

Short-term investments

 

89

 

13

 

76

 

 

 

$

3,665

 

$

3,258

 

$

407

 

Percentage of total assets

 

21%

 

19%

 

 

 

 

 

For the Nine Months Ended September 30,

 

 

 

2017

 

2016

 

Increase
(Decrease)

 

Net cash provided by operating activities

 

$

1,055

 

$

1,296

 

$

(241

)

Net cash used in investing activities

 

(156)

 

(1,150)

 

994

 

Net cash (used in) provided by financing activities

 

(640)

 

2,083

 

(2,723

)

Effect of foreign exchange rate changes

 

72

 

(23)

 

95

 

Net increase in cash and cash equivalents

 

$

331

 

$

2,206

 

$

(1,875

)


September 30, 2022December 31, 2021Increase
(Decrease)
Cash and cash equivalents$7,743 $10,423 $(2,680)
Short-term investments3,189 195 2,994 
$10,932 $10,618 $314 
Percentage of total assets43 %42 % 

 For the Nine Months Ended September 30,
 20222021Increase
(Decrease)
Net cash provided by operating activities$1,097 $1,753 $(656)
Net cash used in investing activities(3,193)(101)(3,092)
Net cash used in financing activities(473)(533)60 
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes(100)(35)(65)
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash$(2,669)$1,084 $(3,753)

Net Cash Provided by Operating Activities


The primary driversdriver of net cash flows associated with our operating activities includeis the collection of customer receivablesincome generated from the sale of our products and services. These collections are typicallyThis is partially offset by: payments to vendors forworking capital requirements used in the manufacturing, distribution,development, sale, and marketingsupport of our products; payments for customer service support for our consumers; payments to third-party developers and intellectual property holders; payments for interest on our debt; payments for software development; payments for tax liabilities; and payments to our workforce.


Net cash provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, was $1.1 billion, as compared to $1.3$1.8 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.2021. The decrease was primarily due to the timing of the launches of our games,lower net income from lower business performance as the prior period included cash flows from two major launches—Overwatch in May 2016 and World of Warcraft: Legion in August 2016—while the current period included cash flows from only one major launch—Destiny 2—which did not occur until September 2017. The decrease waswell as higher capitalized software development spending. These were partially offset by:

·                  higher net income for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, as compared to the nine months ended September 30, 2016, along with larger adjustments to net income for non-cash charges, primarily associated with the amortization of the acquired intangibles in the King Acquisition; and

·by changes in our working capital, including the settling in equity of amounts otherwise payable in cash for 2021 under the Company’s annual incentive compensation plans and lower tax payments due to the timing of collections and payments.

lower profitability.


Net Cash Used in Investing Activities


The primary drivers of net cash flows associated with investing activities typically include capital expenditures, purchases and sales of investments, changes in restricted cash balances,capital expenditures, and cash used for acquisitions.


Net cash used in investing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, was $156 million,$3.2 billion, as compared to $1.2 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The decrease in the cash used was primarily due to cash used for the King Acquisition in the nine months ended September 30, 2016, with no comparable transaction in the current period. The decrease was partially offset by purchases of available-for-sale investments of $80$101 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2021. The increase was primarily due to purchases of $2.9 billion of held-to-maturity investments and $135 million net cash used in business acquisitions during the nine months ended September 30, 2022 with no comparable transactionsimilar activity in the prior period.

year.


Net Cash (Used in) Provided byUsed in Financing Activities


The primary drivers of net cash flows associated with financing activities typically include the proceeds from, and repayments of, our long-term debt and transactions involving our common stock, including the issuance of shares of common stock to employees upon the exercise of stock options, as well as the payment of dividends.


Net cash used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, was $640$473 million, as compared to net cash provided by financing activities of $2.1 billion for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The change was primarily attributed to our debt financing activities. For the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we had net debt repayments of $500 million, as compared to approximately $2.3 billion of net debt proceeds for the nine months ended September 30, 2016. The cash flows used in financing activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017, were partially offset by higher proceeds from stock option exercises of $150 million, as compared to $86$533 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016.

2021. The decrease was primarily due to $99 million lower tax payments relating to net share settlements on restricted stock units, partially offset by $37 million lower proceeds from the issuance of common stock to employees.

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Table of Contents

Effect of Foreign Exchange Rate Changes


Changes in foreign exchange rates had a positive impact of $72 million and a negative impact of $23$100 million and $35 million on our cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September 30, 20172022 and 2016,September 30, 2021, respectively. The change was primarily due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euroeuro and the British pound.


Debt

As of


At both September 30, 2022 and December 31, 2016,2021, our total gross unsecured senior notes outstanding debt was $4.9$3.7 billion, bearing interest at a weighted average rate of 2.92%2.87%.

On February 3, 2017, we entered into a sixth amendment (the “Sixth Amendment”) to our credit agreement, which was originally executed on October 11, 2013 (as amended thereafter and from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). The Sixth Amendment: (i) provided for a new tranche of term loans “A” in an aggregate principal amount of $2.55 billion (the “2017 TLA”) and (ii) released each of our subsidiary guarantors from their respective guarantees provided under the Credit Agreement. All proceeds of the 2017 TLA, together with additional cash on hand of $139 million, were used to fully retire the term loans then outstanding (the “2016 TLA”) under the Credit Agreement, including all accrued and unpaid interest thereon. The terms of the 2017 TLA, other than the absence of the subsidiary guarantees, are generally the same as the terms of the 2016 TLA. The fees incurred as a result of the Sixth Amendment were not material. The 2017 TLA will mature on August 23, 2021.

On May 26, 2017, in a public underwritten offering, we issued three series of unsecured senior notes—$400 million of 2.6% unsecured senior notes due June 2022, $400 million of 3.4% unsecured senior notes due June 2027, and $400 million of 4.5% unsecured senior notes due June 2047. The proceeds from these unsecured senior notes, together with cash on hand, were used to make a prepayment of $1.2 billion on our 2017 TLA.

During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, we reduced our total outstanding long-term debt by $500 million. This included $139 million of cash used to retire the 2016 TLA, as discussed above, along with a prepayment on the 2017 TLA of $361 million. The prepayment made on our 2017 TLA satisfied the remaining required quarterly principal repayments for the entire term of the Credit Agreement.

As a result of the above activities, our total outstanding debt as of September 30, 2017, was $4.4 billion, bearing interest at a weighted average rate of 3.52%.


A summary of our outstanding debt as of September 30, 2017, is as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

At September 30, 2017

 

 

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Unamortized
Discount and
Deferred Financing
Costs

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

2017 TLA

 

$

990

 

$

(8)

 

$

982

 

2021 Notes

 

650

 

(5)

 

645

 

2022 Notes

 

400

 

(4)

 

396

 

2023 Notes

 

750

 

(10)

 

740

 

2026 Notes

 

850

 

(9)

 

841

 

2027 Notes

 

400

 

(6)

 

394

 

2047 Notes

 

400

 

(10)

 

390

 

Total long-term debt

 

$

4,440

 

$

(52)

 

$

4,388

 

A summary of our debt as of December 31, 2016, was as follows (amounts in millions):

 

 

At December 31, 2016

 

 

 

Gross Carrying
Amount

 

Unamortized
Discount and
Deferred Financing
Costs

 

Net Carrying
Amount

 

2016 TLA

 

$

2,690

 

$

(27)

 

$

2,663

 

2021 Notes

 

650

 

(5)

 

645

 

2023 Notes

 

750

 

(11)

 

739

 

2026 Notes

 

850

 

(10)

 

840

 

Total long-term debt

 

$

4,940

 

$

(53)

 

$

4,887

 


 At September 30, 2022At December 31, 2021
2026 Notes$850 $850 
2027 Notes400 400 
2030 Notes500 500 
2047 Notes400 400 
2050 Notes1,500 1,500 
Total gross long-term debt$3,650 $3,650 
Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs(40)(42)
Total net carrying amount$3,610 $3,608 

Refer to Note 78 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further disclosures regarding our debt obligations.


Dividends


On February 2, 2017,3, 2022, our Board of Directors approveddeclared a cash dividend of $0.30$0.47 per common share. On May 10, 2017,6, 2022, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $226$367 million to shareholders of record at the close of business on MarchApril 15, 2022.

Capital Expenditures

We made capital expenditures of $67 million during the nine months ended September 30, 2017. On May 26, 2017, we made related dividend equivalent payments of less than $12022, as compared to $59 million to certain holders of restricted stock units.

Capital Expenditures

Forduring the year ending December 31, 2017,nine months ended September 30, 2021. In 2022, we anticipate total capital expenditures of approximately $135$100 million, primarily for computer hardware, leasehold improvements, computer hardware, and software purchases. During the nine months ended September 30, 2017, capital expenditures were $86 million.

Off-Balance Sheet Arrangements

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, Activision Blizzard had no significant relationships with unconsolidated entities or financial parties, often referred to as “structured finance” or “special purpose” entities, established for the purpose


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Table of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes, that have or are reasonably likely to have a material current or future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operations, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

Contents

Critical Accounting Policies and Estimates

Our condensed consolidated financial statements are prepared in accordance with accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”).America. These accounting principles require us to make certain estimates, judgments, and assumptions. We believe that the estimates, judgments, and assumptions upon which we rely are reasonable based upon information available to us at the time that they are made. These estimates, judgments, and assumptions can affect the reported amounts of assets and liabilities at the date of the financial statements, as well as the reported amounts of revenues and expenses during the periods presented. To the extent there are material differences between these estimates, judgments, or assumptions and actual results, our financial statements will be affected. The accounting policies that reflect our more significant estimates, judgments, and assumptions, and which we believe are the most critical to aid in fully understanding and evaluating our reported financial results, include the following:

·


Revenue Recognition including Revenue Arrangements with Multiple Deliverables;

·      Allowances for ReturnsRecognition;

Income Taxes; and Price Protection;

·      Allowance for Inventory Obsolescence;

·

Software Development Costs;

·      Income Taxes;

·      Fair Value Estimates (including Business Combinations and Assessment of Impairment of Assets); and

·      Share-Based Payments.

Costs.


During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, there were no significant changes to the above critical accounting policies and estimates. Refer to Management’s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of OperationsOperations” contained in Part II, Item 7 of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016,2021, for a more complete discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.

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Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

Below are recently issued accounting pronouncements that were most significant to our accounting policy activities. For a detailed discussionTable of all relevant recently issued accounting pronouncements, see Note 15 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements

Inventory

In July 2015, the Financial Accounting Standards Board (“FASB”) issued new guidance related to the measurement of inventory which requires inventory within the scope of the guidance to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. We adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2017, and applied it prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our financial statements.

Recent Accounting Pronouncements Not Yet Adopted

Revenue Recognition

In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance, providing a unified model to determine when and how revenue is recognized. The core principle is that a company should recognize revenue upon the transfer of promised goods or services to customers in an amount that reflects the consideration to which the company expects to be entitled to in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 2017. We anticipate adopting the accounting standard on January 1, 2018, using the modified retrospective method, which recognizes the cumulative effect upon adoption as an adjustment to retained earnings at the adoption date.

We believe the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard may have a significant impact in the following areas:

·                  The accounting for our sales of our games with significant online functionality for which we do not have vendor-specific objective evidence (“VSOE”) for unspecified future updates and ongoing online services provided. Under the current accounting standards, VSOE for undelivered elements is required. This requirement will be eliminated under the new standard. Accordingly, we will be required to recognize as revenue a portion of the sales price upon delivery of the software, as compared to the current requirement of recognizing the entire sales price ratably over an estimated service period. We expect this difference to primarily impact revenues from our Call of Duty franchise. Many of our other franchises, such as Destiny, Overwatch, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush, are hosted service arrangements, and we do not expect any significant impact on the accounting for our sales of these games.

·                  The accounting for certain of our software licensing arrangements. While the impacts of the new standard may differ on a contract-by-contract basis (the actual revenue recognition treatment required under the standard will depend on contract-specific terms), we expect that the new standard will generally result in earlier revenue recognition for these arrangements.

We are continuing to evaluate the additional impacts this new accounting guidance may have on our financial statements and related disclosures, including the impacts of these changes to our processes and internal controls. We expect that the new disclosure requirements will require us to design and implement additional internal controls over financial reporting.

Contents

Leases

In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for leases. The new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic. The new standard, among other things, requires a lessee to classify a lease as either an operating or financing lease, and lessees will need to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for their leases. The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment for initial direct costs, lease incentives received, and any prepaid lease payments. Operating leases will result in a straight-line expense pattern, while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. Currently, we do not plan to early adopt this new standard.

Statement of Cash Flows-Restricted Cash

In November 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification of restricted cash in the statement of cash flows. The new standard requires that a statement of cash flows explain any change during the period in total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash. Therefore, restricted cash will be included with “Cash and cash equivalents” when reconciling the beginning-of-period and end-of-period total amounts shown on the statement of cash flows. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2018, and should be applied retrospectively. Early adoption is permitted.

We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. We expect there would be a significant impact to the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for 2016, as this period includes, as an investing activity, the $3.6 billion movement in restricted cash resulting from the transfer of cash into escrow at December 31, 2015, to facilitate the King Acquisition and the subsequent release of that cash in 2016 in connection with the King Acquisition. Under this new standard, the restricted cash balance would be included in the beginning and ending total cash, cash equivalents, and restricted cash balances and, hence, would not be included as an investing activity in the statement of cash flows.

Item 3.Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures about Market Risk


Market risk is the potential loss arising from fluctuations in market rates and prices. Our market risk exposures primarily include fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates and interest rates.


Foreign Currency Exchange Rate Risk


We transact business in many different foreign currencies and may be exposed to financial market risk resulting from fluctuations in foreign currency exchange rates. Revenues and related expenses generated from our international operations are generally denominated in their respective local currencies. Primary currencies include Euros,euros, British pounds, Australian dollars, South Korean won, Chinese yuan, and Swedish krona. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency-denominated transactions will result in reduced revenues, operating expenses, net income, and cash flows from our international operations. Similarly, our revenues, operating expenses, net income, and cash flows will increase for our international operations if the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies. Since we have significant international sales but incur the majority of our costs in the United States,U.S., the impact of foreign currency fluctuations, particularly the strengthening of the U.S. dollar, may have an asymmetric andgenerally cause a disproportional impact on our business. We monitor currency volatility throughout the year.


To mitigate our foreign currency risk resulting from our foreign currency-denominated monetary assets, liabilities, and earnings and our foreign currency risk related to functional currency-equivalent cash flows, resulting from our intercompany transactions, we periodically enter into currency derivative contracts, principally forward contracts. These forward contracts generally have a maturity of less than one year. The counterparties for our currency derivative contracts are large and reputable commercial or investment banks.


The fair values of our foreign currency contracts are estimated based on the prevailing exchange rates of the various hedged currencies as of the end of the period.


We do not hold or purchase any foreign currency forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes.

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges

At September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, we did not have any outstanding foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges.


Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Designated as Hedges (“Cash Flow Hedges”)

At September 30, 2017,


Refer to Note 5 of the gross notional amountnotes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of outstanding Cash Flow Hedges was approximately $328 million. The fair value of these contracts, all of which have remaining maturities of 15 months or less, was $10 million of net unrealized losses. At September 30, 2017, we had approximately $6 million of net realized but unrecognized losses recorded within “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” associated with contracts that had settled but were deferred and will be amortized into earnings, along with the associated hedged revenues. Such amounts will be reclassified into earnings within the next 12 months.

At December 31, 2016, the gross notional amount of outstanding Cash Flow Hedges was approximately $346 million. The fair value of these contracts was $22 million of net unrealized gains as of December 31, 2016.

During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and 2016, there was no ineffectiveness relating tothis Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for disclosures regarding our Cash Flow Hedges and the amount of pre-tax net realized gains (losses) associated with these contracts that were reclassified out of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and into earnings was not material.

foreign currency forward contracts.


In the absence of hedging activities for the nine months ended September 30, 2017,2022, a hypothetical adverse foreign currency exchange rate movement of 10% would have resulted in a theoretical decline of our net income of approximately $95$107 million. This sensitivity analysis assumes a parallel adverse shift of all foreign currency exchange rates against the U.S. dollar; however, all foreign currency exchange rates do not always move in this manner, and actual results may differ materially.


Interest Rate Risk


Our exposure to market rate risk for changes in interest rates relates primarily to our investment portfolio, and variable rateas our outstanding debt under the Credit Agreement. We do not currently use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. As of September 30, 2017, and December 31, 2016, a hypothetical interest rate change on our variable rate debt of one percent (100 basis points) would have changed interest expense on an annual basis by approximately $10 million and $27 million, respectively. This estimate does not include a change in interest income from our investment portfolio that may result from such a hypothetical interest rate change, nor does it include the effects of other actions that we may take in the future to mitigate this risk, or any changes in our financial structure. Refer to Note 7 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements included in Item 1 of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for disclosures regarding interest rates associated with our debt obligations.

is all at fixed rates. Our investment portfolio consists primarily of money market funds and government securities with high credit quality and short average maturities. Because short-term securities mature relatively quickly and must be reinvested at the then-current market rates, interest income on a portfolio consisting of cash, cash equivalents, or short-term securities is more subject to market fluctuations than a portfolio of longer-term securities. Conversely, the fair value of such a portfolio is less sensitive to market fluctuations than a portfolio of longer-term securities. At September 30, 2017,2022, our $3.58 billion of cash and cash equivalents waswere comprised primarily of money market funds.

The Company has determined that,


As of September 30, 2022, based on the composition of our investment portfolio, aswe anticipate investment yields will continue to increase if the U.S. Federal Reserve continues to raise short-term interest rates, which would positively impact our future interest income.

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Table of September 30, 2017, there was no material interest rate risk exposure to the Company’s consolidated financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity as of that date.

Contents

Item 4.Controls and Procedures


Definition and Limitations of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our disclosure controls and procedures (as such term is defined in Rules 13a-15(e) and 15d-15(e) under the Securities Exchange Act of 1934 (the “Exchange Act”)) are designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is: (1) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the Securities and Exchange Commission’s rules and forms and (2) accumulated and communicated to management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate, to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures. A control system, no matter how well designed and operated, can provide only reasonable assurance that it will detect or uncover failures within the Company to disclose material information otherwise required to be set forth in our periodic reports. Inherent limitations to any system of disclosure controls and procedures include, but are not limited to, the possibility of human error and the circumvention or overriding of such controls by one or more persons. In addition, we have designed our system of controls based on certain assumptions, which we believe are reasonable, about the likelihood of future events, and our system of controls may therefore not achieve its desired objectives under all possible future events.


Evaluation of Disclosure Controls and Procedures

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated the effectiveness of our disclosure controls and procedures at September 30, 2017,2022, the end of the period covered by this report. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, at September 30, 2017,2022, our disclosure controls and procedures were effective to provide reasonable assurance that information required to be disclosed by the Company in the reports that it files or submits under the Exchange Act is (i)(1) recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis and (ii)(2) accumulated and communicated to our management, including our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, as appropriate to allow timely decisions regarding required disclosures.


Changes in Internal Control Over Financial Reporting

Our management, with the participation of our principal executive officer and principal financial officer, has evaluated any changes in our internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the fiscal quarter ended September 30, 2017.2022. Based on this evaluation, the principal executive officer and principal financial officer concluded that, at September 30, 2017,2022, there have not been any changes in our internal control over financial reporting during the most recent fiscal quarter that have materially affected, or are reasonably likely to materially affect, our internal control over financial reporting.


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PART II. OTHER INFORMATION


Item 1.Legal Proceedings

We are party


Refer to routine claims, suits, investigations, audits, and other proceedings arising fromNote 17 of the ordinary coursenotes to the condensed consolidated financial statements included in Part I, Item 1 of business, including with respect to intellectual property rights, contractual claims, labor and employment matters, regulatory matters, tax matters, unclaimed property matters, compliance matters, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation withthis Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for further disclosures regarding our legal counsel, such routine claims and lawsuits are not significant and we do not expect them to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

proceedings.


Item 1A.Risk Factors


Various risks associated with our business are described in Part I, Item 1A, “Risk Factors,” of our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2016.

Item 6.Exhibits2021

The exhibits listed on (the “2021 Form 10-K”).


In addition to the accompanying Exhibit Index are hereby incorporated by reference intoother information set forth in this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q.

10-Q, you should carefully consider the factors discussed in “Risk Factors” in the 2021 Form 10-K, any of which could materially affect our business, reputation, financial condition, results of operations, income, revenue, profitability, cash flows, liquidity, or stock price.

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Table of Contents

Item 6.    Exhibits
EXHIBIT INDEX

Exhibit Number

Exhibit

Exhibit Number

Exhibit

3.1

3.1

3.2

10.1*

31.1

Notice of Stock Option Award, dated as of August 7, 2017, to Robert A. Kotick.

10.2*

Form of Notice of Performance Share Unit Award Regarding Operating Income to Robert A. Kotick.

10.3*

Form of Notice of Performance Share Unit Award Regarding Relative Total Shareholder Return to Robert A. Kotick.

10.4*

Notice of Stock Option Award, dated as of August 7, 2017, to Dennis Durkin.

10.5*

Notice of Stock Option Award, dated as of August 7, 2017, to Spencer Neumann.

31.1

31.2

32.1

32.2

101.INS

Inline XBRL Instance Document.

Document - The instance document does not appear in the interactive data file because its XBRL tags are embedded within the Inline XBRL document.

101.SCH

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.

101.CAL

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.

101.LAB

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.

101.PRE

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.

101.DEF

Inline XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

104Cover Page Interactive Data File (formatted as Inline XBRL and contained in Exhibit 101).



62

*Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement in which a director or executive officer

Table of the Company participates.

Attached as Exhibit 101 to this report are the following formatted in XBRL (Extensible Business Reporting Language): (i) condensed consolidated balance sheets at September 30, 2017 and December 31, 2016, (ii) condensed consolidated statements of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, (iii) condensed consolidated statements of comprehensive income (loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016, (iv) condensed consolidated statements of cash flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2017 and September 30, 2016; (v) condensed consolidated statement of changes in shareholders’ equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2017; and (vi) notes to condensed consolidated financial statements.

Contents


SIGNATURE

Pursuant to the requirements of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934, the registrant has duly caused this report to be signed on its behalf by the undersigned thereunto duly authorized.


Date:  November 2, 2017

7, 2022


ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

/s/ SPENCER NEUMANN

/s/ STEPHEN WEREB

Spencer Neumann

/s/ ARMIN ZERZA

Stephen Wereb

/s/ JESSE YANG

Armin Zerza

Jesse Yang
Chief Financial Officer and

Chief Accounting Officer and

Principal Financial Officer of

Deputy Chief Financial Officer and Comptroller, and Principal Accounting Officer of

of Activision Blizzard, Inc.

of Activision Blizzard, Inc.

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63