Form 10-Q Activision Blizzard, For: Sep 30

November 4, 2014 4:44 PM

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, 2014

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

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For the transition period from �� to

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Commission File Number 1-15839

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC.

(Exact name of registrant as specified in its charter)

�

Delaware	�	95-4803544
(State or other jurisdiction of incorporation or organization)	�	(I.R.S. Employer Identification No.)
�	�	�
3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, CA	�	90405
(Address of principal executive offices)	�	(Zip Code)

�

(310) 255-2000

(Registrant�s telephone number, including area code)

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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

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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

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Indicate by check mark whether the registrant is a large accelerated filer, an accelerated filer, a non-accelerated filer, or a smaller reporting company.� See the definitions of �large accelerated filer,� �accelerated filer� and �smaller reporting company� in Rule�12b-2 of the Exchange Act. (Check one):

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Large Accelerated Filer�x	�	Accelerated Filer�o
�	�	�
Non-accelerated filer�o	�	Smaller reporting company�o
(Do not check if a smaller reporting company)	�	�

�

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

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The number of shares of the registrant�s Common Stock outstanding at October�28, 2014 was 719,030,007.

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Table of Contents

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

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Table of Contents

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�	Cautionary Statement	3
�	�	�
PART�I.	FINANCIAL INFORMATION	�
�	�	�
Item 1.	Financial Statements (Unaudited)	�
�	�	�
�	Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets at September 30, 2014 and December 31, 2013	4
�	�	�
�	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014�and September 30, 2013	5
�	�	�
�	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013	6
�	�	�
�	Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September 30, 2014 and September 30, 2013	7
�	�	�
�	Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders� Equity for the nine months ended September 30, 2014	8
�	�	�
�	Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements	9
�	�	�
Item 2.	Management�s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations	29
�	�	�
Item 3.	Quantitative and Qualitative Disclosures About Market Risk	48
�	�	�
Item 4.	Controls and Procedures	49
�	�	�
PART�II.	OTHER INFORMATION	50
�	�	�
Item 1.	Legal Proceedings	50
�	�	�
Item 1A.	Risk Factors	53
�	�	�
Item 6.	Exhibits	53
�	�	�
SIGNATURE		54
�		�
EXHIBIT INDEX		55
�		�
CERTIFICATIONS		�

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Table of Contents

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CAUTIONARY STATEMENT

�

This Quarterly Report on Form�10-Q contains, or incorporates by reference, certain 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 relating to product releases; (3)�statements of future financial or operating performance; (4)�statements about the impact of the transactions involving the repurchase of shares from Vivendi, S.A., and the debt financing related thereto; (5)�statements relating to the outcome or impact of pending or threatened litigation; and (6)�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,� �believes,� �may,� �might,� �expects,� �intends,� �intends as,� �anticipates,� �estimate,� �future,� �positioned,� �potential,� �project,� �remain,� �scheduled,� �set to,� �subject to,� �upcoming� and other similar expressions to help identify forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are subject to business and economic risk, reflect management�s current expectations, estimates and projections about our business, and are inherently uncertain and difficult to predict. Our actual results could differ materially. Risks and uncertainties that may affect our future results include, but are not limited to, sales levels of Activision Blizzard�s titles, increasing concentration of titles, shifts in consumer spending trends, the impact of the current macroeconomic environment, Activision Blizzard�s ability to predict consumer preferences, including interest in specific genres, such as first-person action, massively multiplayer online and �toys to life� games, and preferences among hardware platforms, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, changing business models, including digital delivery of content, competition including from used games and other forms of entertainment, possible declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, adoption rate and availability of new hardware (including peripherals) and related software, particularly during the ongoing console transition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, the current regulatory environment, litigation risks and associated costs, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, financing providers, licensees, licensors, vendors, and third-party developers, including the ability to attract, retain and develop key personnel and developers that can create high quality titles, counterparty risks relating to customers, licensees, licensors and manufacturers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions and policies, foreign exchange rates and tax rates, the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities and potential challenges associated with geographic expansion, capital market risks, the possibility that expected benefits related to the transactions involving the repurchase of shares from Vivendi S.A. may not materialize as expected, the amount of our debt and the limitations imposed by the covenants in the agreements governing our debt, and the other factors identified in �Risk Factors� included in Part�I,�Item 1A of our Annual Report on Form�10-K for the year ended December�31, 2013. The forward-looking statements contained herein are based upon information available to us as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form�10-Q and we assume no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Although these forward-looking statements are believed to be true when made, they may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of our future performance and are subject to risks, uncertainties and 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. All other product or service names are the property of their respective owners.

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Table of Contents

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions, except share data)

�

�	�	At�September�30,		�	At�December�31,		�
�	�	2014		�	2013		�
Assets	�	�		�	�		�
Current assets:	�	�		�	�		�
Cash and cash equivalents	�	$	3,805	�	$	4,410	�
Short-term investments	�	23		�	33		�
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $240 and $381 at September�30, 2014 and December�31, 2013, respectively	�	689		�	510		�
Inventories, net	�	222		�	171		�
Software development	�	445		�	367		�
Intellectual property licenses	�	2		�	11		�
Deferred income taxes, net	�	394		�	321		�
Other current assets	�	377		�	418		�
Total current assets	�	5,957		�	6,241		�
�	�	�		�	�		�
Long-term investments	�	9		�	9		�
Software development	�	78		�	21		�
Property and equipment, net	�	162		�	138		�
Other assets	�	90		�	35		�
Intangible assets, net	�	38		�	43		�
Trademark and trade names	�	433		�	433		�
Goodwill	�	7,088		�	7,092		�
Total assets	�	$	13,855	�	$	14,012	�
Liabilities and Shareholders� Equity	�	�		�	�		�
Current liabilities:	�	�		�	�		�
Accounts payable	�	$	266	�	$	355	�
Deferred revenues	�	1,305		�	1,389		�
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	�	541		�	636		�
Current portion of long-term debt	�	�		�	25		�
Total current liabilities	�	2,112		�	2,405		�
Long-term debt, net	�	4,322		�	4,668		�
Deferred income taxes, net	�	82		�	66		�
Other liabilities	�	347		�	251		�
Total liabilities	�	6,863		�	7,390		�
Commitments and contingencies (Note 14)	�	�		�	�		�
Shareholders� equity:	�	�		�	�		�
Common stock, $0.000001 par value, 2,400,000,000 shares authorized, 1,147,635,589 and 1,132,385,424 shares issued at September�30, 2014 and December�31, 2013, respectively	�	�		�	�		�
Additional paid-in capital	�	9,900		�	9,682		�
Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 428,676,471 shares at September�30, 2014 and December�31, 2013	�	(5,764		)	(5,814		)
Retained earnings	�	3,013		�	2,686		�
Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	�	(157		)	68		�
Total shareholders� equity	�	6,992		�	6,622		�
Total liabilities and shareholders� equity	�	$	13,855	�	$	14,012	�

�

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

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Table of Contents

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions, except per share data)

�

For�the�Three�Months�Ended

�

For�the�Nine�Months�Ended

�

September�30,

�

September�30,

�

2014

�

2013

�

2014

�

2013

�

Net revenues

�

Product sales

�

337

�

332

�

1,693

�

2,049

�

Subscription, licensing, and other revenues

�

416

�

359

�

1,140

�

1,016

�

Total net revenues

�

753

�

691

�

2,833

�

3,065

�

Costs and expenses

�

Cost of sales � product costs

�

156

�

111

�

568

�

551

�

Cost of sales � online

�

170

�

154

�

Cost of sales � software royalties and amortization

�

136

�

116

�

Cost of sales � intellectual property licenses

�

Product development

�

131

�

140

�

387

�

387

�

Sales and marketing

�

221

�

144

�

465

�

367

�

General and administrative

�

140

�

162

�

342

�

347

�

Total costs and expenses

�

745

�

621

�

2,088

�

1,978

�

Operating income

�

745

�

1,087

�

Interest and other investment income (expense), net

�

(51

)

(152

)

�

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

�

(43

)

�

593

�

1,086

�

Income tax expense (benefit)

�

(20

)

�

119

�

249

�

Net income (loss)

�

(23

)

�

474

�

837

�

Earnings (loss) per common share

�

Basic

�

(0.03

)

0.05

�

0.65

�

0.73

�

Diluted

�

(0.03

)

0.05

�

0.64

�

0.73

�

Weighted-average number of shares outstanding

�

Basic

�

718

�

1,122

�

714

�

1,118

�

Diluted

�

718

�

1,134

�

725

�

1,127

�

Dividends per common share

�

0.20

�

0.19

�

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

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Table of Contents

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (LOSS)

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions)

�

For�the�Three�Months�Ended

�

For�the�Nine�Months�Ended

�

September�30,

�

September�30,

�

2014

�

2013

�

2014

�

2013

�

Net income (loss)

�

(23

)

�

474

�

837

�

Other comprehensive income (loss):

�

Foreign currency translation adjustment

�

(206

)

�

(230

)

�

Unrealized gains on forward contracts designated as hedges, net of deferred income taxes of $0 million for the periods ended September�30, 2014 and 2013

�

Unrealized gains on investments, net of deferred income taxes of $0 million for the periods ended September�30, 2014 and 2013

�

Other comprehensive income (loss)

�

(201

)

�

(225

)

�

Comprehensive income (loss)

�

(224

)

136

�

249

�

881

�

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

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Table of Contents

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS

(Unaudited)

(Amounts in millions)

�

�	�	For�the�Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,					�
�	�	2014		�	2013		�
Cash flows from operating activities:	�	�		�	�		�
Net income	�	$	474	�	$	837	�
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:	�	�		�	�		�
Deferred income taxes	�	(57		)	203		�
Provision for inventories	�	33		�	13		�
Depreciation and amortization	�	61		�	68		�
Amortization and write-off of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses (1)	�	131		�	140		�
Amortization of debt discount and debt financing costs	�	5		�	�		�
Stock-based compensation expense (2)	�	74		�	76		�
Excess tax benefits from stock awards	�	(29		)	(14		)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:	�	�		�	�		�
Accounts receivable, net	�	(193		)	498		�
Inventories	�	(90		)	(116		)
Software development and intellectual property licenses	�	(253		)	(212		)
Other assets	�	59		�	99		�
Deferred revenues	�	(54		)	(1,008		)
Accounts payable	�	(83		)	(56		)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	�	19		�	(144		)
Net cash provided by operating activities	�	97		�	384		�
�	�	�		�	�		�
Cash flows from investing activities:	�	�		�	�		�
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments	�	21		�	295		�
Proceeds from sales of available-for-sale investments	�	�		�	60		�
Purchases of available-for-sale investments	�	�		�	(26		)
Capital expenditures	�	(90		)	(58		)
Decrease in restricted cash	�	(11		)	(9		)
Deposit in escrow	�	�		�	(71		)
Net cash (used in) provided by investing activities	�	(80		)	191		�
�	�	�		�	�		�
Cash flows from financing activities:	�	�		�	�		�
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees	�	160		�	92		�
Tax payments related to net share settlements on restricted stock rights	�	(41		)	(19		)
Excess tax benefits from stock awards	�	29		�	14		�
Dividends paid	�	(147		)	(216		)
Repayment of long-term debt	�	(375		)	�		�
Net cash used in financing activities	�	(374		)	(129		)
�	�	�		�	�		�
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents	�	(248		)	39		�
�	�	�		�	�		�
Net (decrease) increase in cash and cash equivalents	�	(605		)	485		�
�	�	�		�	�		�
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period	�	4,410		�	3,959		�
�	�	�		�	�		�
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period	�	$	3,805	�	$	4,444	�

�

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

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

�

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

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Table of Contents

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ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC. AND SUBSIDIARIES

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENT OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS� EQUITY

For the Nine Months Ended September�30, 2014

(Unaudited)

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

�

Accumulated

�

Additional

�

Other

�

Total

�

Common�Stock

�

Treasury�Stock

�

Paid-In

�

Retained

�

Comprehensive

�

Shareholders�

�

Shares

�

Amount

�

Shares

�

Amount

�

Capital

�

Earnings

�

Income�(Loss)

�

Equity

�

Balance at December�31, 2013

�

1,132

�

(429

)

(5,814

)

9,682

�

2,686

�

6,622

�

Components of comprehensive income:

�

Net income

�

474

�

474

�

Other comprehensive income (loss)

�

(225

)

(225

)

Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options

�

160

�

160

�

Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock rights

�

Restricted stock surrendered for employees� tax liability

�

)

�

(41

)

�

(41

)

Tax benefit associated with employee stock awards

�

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

�

Dividends ($0.20 per common share)

�

(147

)

�

(147

)

Indemnity on tax attributes assumed in connection with the Purchase Transaction (see Note 11)

�

Balance at September�30, 2014

�

1,148

�

(429

)

(5,764

)

9,900

�

3,013

�

(157

)

6,992

�

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

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Table of Contents

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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

�

Description of Business

�

Activision Blizzard,�Inc. (�Activision Blizzard�) is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment.� The terms �Activision Blizzard,� the �Company,� �we,� �us,� and �our� are used to refer collectively to Activision Blizzard,�Inc. and its subsidiaries.� We publish games for video game consoles, personal computers (�PC�), and handheld, mobile and tablet devices.� We maintain significant operations in the United States (�U.S.�), Canada, the United Kingdom (�U.K.�), France, Germany,�Ireland,�Italy, Sweden, Spain, the Netherlands, Australia, South Korea and China.

�

The Business Combination and Share Repurchase

�

Activision Blizzard is the result of the 2008 business combination (�Business Combination�) by and among the Company (then known as Activision,�Inc.), Sego Merger Corporation, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Activision,�Inc., Vivendi�S.A. (�Vivendi�), VGAC�LLC, a wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi, and Vivendi Games,�Inc. (�Vivendi Games�), a wholly-owned subsidiary of VGAC�LLC.� As a result of the consummation of the Business Combination, Activision,�Inc. was renamed Activision Blizzard,�Inc. and Vivendi became a majority shareholder of Activision. The common stock of Activision Blizzard is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol �ATVI.�

�

On October�11, 2013, we repurchased approximately 429 million shares of our common stock, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement (the �Stock Purchase Agreement�) we entered into on July�25, 2013, with Vivendi and ASAC II LP (�ASAC�), an exempted limited partnership established under the laws of the Cayman Islands, acting by its general partner, ASAC II LLC. Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, we acquired all of the capital stock of Amber Holding Subsidiary Co., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi (�New VH�), which was the direct owner of approximately 429 million shares of our common stock, for a cash payment of $5.83 billion, or $13.60 per share, before taking into account the benefit to the Company of certain tax attributes of New VH assumed in the transaction (collectively, the �Purchase Transaction�). Immediately following the completion of the Purchase Transaction, Vivendi sold ASAC 172 million shares of Activision Blizzard�s common stock, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, for a cash payment of $2.34 billion, or $13.60 per share (the �Private Sale�). Refer to Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for further information regarding the financing of the Purchase Transaction.

�

On May�28, 2014, Vivendi sold approximately 41 million shares, or approximately 50% of its then-current holdings, of our common stock in a registered public offering.� Vivendi received proceeds of approximately $850 million from that sale; we did not receive any proceeds. Vivendi currently owns approximately 41 million shares of our common stock, and is generally restricted from selling that stock until January�2015.

�

As of September 30, 2014, we had approximately 719 million shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. As a result of the Purchase Transaction, the Private Sale, and Vivendi�s sale of our common stock in May 2014, Vivendi held approximately 6%, ASAC held approximately 24% and our other stockholders held approximately 70% of our common stock.

�

Operating Segments

�

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

�

(i)�Activision Publishing,�Inc.

�

Activision Publishing,�Inc. (�Activision�) is a leading international developer and publisher of interactive software products and content. Activision delivers content to a broad range of gamers, ranging from children to adults, and from core gamers to mass-market consumers to �value� buyers seeking budget-priced software, in a variety of geographies. Activision develops games based on internally-developed properties, including games in the Call of Duty� and Skylanders� franchises, and to a lesser extent, based on licensed intellectual properties. Additionally, we have established a long-term alliance with Bungie to publish its game universe, Destiny�, which was released on September�9, 2014.�� Activision sells games through both retail and digital online channels.� Activision currently offers games that operate on the Microsoft Corporation (�Microsoft�) Xbox One (�Xbox One�) and Xbox�360 (�Xbox�360�), Nintendo�Co.�Ltd. (�Nintendo�) Wii U (�Wii U�) and Wii (�Wii�), and Sony Computer Entertainment,�Inc. (�Sony�) PlayStation 4 (�PS4�) and PlayStation 3 (�PS3�) console systems (Xbox One, Wii U, and PS4 are collectively referred to as �next-generation�; Xbox 360, Wii, and PS3 are collectively referred to as �current-generation�); the PC; the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Dual Screen, and Sony PlayStation Vita handheld game systems; and other handheld and mobile devices.

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Table of Contents

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(ii)�Blizzard Entertainment,�Inc.

�

Blizzard Entertainment,�Inc. (�Blizzard�) is a leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing game (�MMORPG�) category in terms of both subscriber base and revenues generated through its World of Warcraft� franchise, which it develops, hosts and supports. Blizzard also develops, markets, and sells role-playing action and strategy games for the PC and consoles, including games in the multiple-award winning Diablo� and StarCraft� franchises.� In addition, Blizzard maintains a proprietary online game-related service, Battle.net�.� Blizzard distributes its products and generates revenues worldwide through various means, including: subscriptions; sales of prepaid subscription cards; value-added services, such as in-game purchases and services; retail sales of physical �boxed� products; online download sales of PC products; and licensing of software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute World of Warcraft, Diablo III and StarCraft II products.� In addition, Blizzard is the creator of Hearthstone�: Heroes of Warcraft�, a free-to-play digital collectible card game available on the PC and iPad, and is currently developing Heroes of the Storm�, a new free-to-play online hero brawler.

�

(iii)�Activision Blizzard Distribution

�

Our distribution segment (�Distribution�) consists of operations in Europe that provide warehousing, logistical 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�) 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 the annual audited consolidated financial statements. 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, 2013.

�

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 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 period 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.

�

Results of Adjustments

�

During the six months ended June�30, 2013, we identified through our internal processes that, in previous years, we erroneously under-accrued for certain indirect taxes for two countries in our Europe region. We performed an evaluation under SEC Staff Accounting Bulletin No.�108 and concluded the effect of this error was immaterial to prior years� financial statements as well as the full-year 2013 financial statements. As such, during the six months ended June�30, 2013, we recorded an adjustment in our condensed consolidated statements of operations which reduced �Total net revenues� by $8 million, �Interest and other investment income (expense), net� by $1 million, �Income before income tax expense� by $9 million, and �Net income� by $7 million. This adjustment reduced net revenues and income from operations before income tax expense by $8 million and $9 million, respectively, in each of our Blizzard segment, Europe region, and online platform, as presented in Note 9 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.� The adjustment increased �Accrued expenses and other liabilities� on our condensed consolidated balance sheet by $9 million and represents a correction of an error. Operating cash flows were impacted by $9 million in 2013 when we settled the liability. The adjustment related to prior periods� net income as follows: (i)�approximately $1 million for the quarter ended March�31, 2013; (ii)�approximately $1 million for each quarter of 2012 (totaling approximately $4 million for the year ended December�31, 2012); (iii)�approximately $2 million for the year ended December�31, 2011; and (iv)�less than $1 million for the year ended December�31, 2010. Earnings per basic and diluted share were affected by less than $0.01 as a result of recording this adjustment.

�

Table of Contents

�

2.�� Inventories, Net

�

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

�

�	�	At�September�30,		�	At�December�31,		�
�	�	2014		�	2013		�
Finished goods	�	$	206	�	$	149	�
Purchased parts and components	�	16		�	22		�
�	�	�		�	�		�
Inventories, net	�	$	222	�	$	171	�

�

Inventory reserves were $65 million and $42 million at September�30, 2014 and December�31, 2013, respectively.

�

3.�� Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses

�

The following table summarizes the components of our capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses (amounts in millions):

�

�	�	At		�	At		�
�	�	September�30,		�	December�31,		�
�	�	2014		�	2013		�
Internally developed software costs	�	$	264	�	$	189	�
Payments made to third-party software developers	�	259		�	199		�
Total software development costs	�	$	523	�	$	388	�
�	�	�		�	�		�
Intellectual property licenses	�	$	2	�	$	11	�

�

Amortization, write-offs and impairments of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses are comprised of the following (amounts in millions):

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

2014

�

2013

�

2014

�

2013

�

Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses

�

143

�

123

�

Write-offs and impairments

�

4.�� Intangible Assets, Net

�

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

�

Table of Contents

�

At�September�30,�2014

�

Estimated

�

Gross

�

useful

�

carrying

�

Accumulated

�

Net�carrying

�

lives

�

amount

�

amortization

�

amount

�

Acquired definite-lived intangible assets:

�

License agreements and other

�

3 - 10 years

�

(91

)

�

Internally-developed franchises

�

11 - 12 years

�

309

�

(278

)

�

Total definite-lived intangible assets

�

407

�

(369

)

�

Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:

�

Activision trademark

�

Indefinite

�

386

�

Acquired trade names

�

Indefinite

�

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

�

433

�

At�December�31,�2013

�

Estimated

�

Gross

�

useful

�

carrying

�

Accumulated

�

Net�carrying

�

lives

�

amount

�

amortization

�

amount

�

Acquired definite-lived intangible assets:

�

License agreements and other

�

3 - 10 years

�

(90

)

�

Internally-developed franchises

�

11 - 12 years

�

309

�

(274

)

�

Total definite-lived intangible assets

�

407

�

(364

)

�

Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets:

�

Activision trademark

�

Indefinite

�

386

�

Acquired trade names

�

Indefinite

�

Total indefinite-lived intangible assets

�

433

�

Amortization expense of intangible assets was $2 million and $5 million for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, respectively.� Amortization expense of intangible assets was $3 million and $9 million for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2013, respectively.

�

At September�30, 2014, future amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated as follows (amounts in millions):

�

2014 (remaining three months)	�	$	9	�
2015	�	13		�
2016	�	7		�
2017	�	4		�
2018	�	3		�
Thereafter	�	2		�
Total	�	$	38	�

�

5.�� Goodwill

�

The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 are as follows (amounts in millions):

�

Table of Contents

�

�	�	Activision		�	Blizzard		�	Total		�
�	�	�		�	�		�	�		�
Balance at December�31, 2013	�	$	6,914	�	$	178	�	$	7,092	�
Tax benefit credited to goodwill	�	(4		)	�		�	(4		)
Balance at September�30, 2014	�	$	6,910	�	$	178	�	$	7,088	�

�

The tax benefit credited to goodwill represents the tax deduction resulting from the exercise of stock options that were outstanding and vested at the consummation of the Business Combination and included in the purchase price of the Company, to the extent that the tax deduction did not exceed the fair value of those options. Conversely, to the extent that the tax deduction did exceed the fair value of those options, the tax benefit is credited to additional paid-in capital.

�

6.�� Fair Value Measurements

�

Financial Accounting Standards Board (�FASB�) literature regarding fair value measurements for financial and non-financial 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.

�

Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis

�

The table below segregates all of our financial assets 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,�2014�Using

�

Quoted

�

Prices�in

�

Active

�

Significant

�

Markets�for

�

Other

�

Significant

�

As�of

�

Identical

�

Observable

�

Unobservable

�

September�30,

�

Assets

�

Inputs

�

Inputs

�

Balance�Sheet

�

2014

�

(Level�1)

�

(Level�2)

�

(Level�3)

�

Classification

�

Financial Assets:

�

Recurring fair value measurements:

�

Money market funds

�

3,601

�

3,601

�

Cash and cash equivalents

�

Foreign government treasury bills

�

Cash and cash equivalents

�

Auction rate securities (�ARS�)

�

Long-term investments

�

Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges

�

Other current assets

�

Total recurring fair value measurements

�

3,651

�

3,637

�

Table of Contents

�

Fair�Value�Measurements�at

�

December�31,�2013�Using

�

Quoted

�

Prices�in

�

Active

�

Significant

�

Markets�for

�

Other

�

Significant

�

As�of

�

Identical

�

Observable

�

Unobservable

�

December�31,

�

Assets

�

Inputs

�

Inputs

�

Balance�Sheet

�

2013

�

(Level�1)

�

(Level�2)

�

(Level�3)

�

Classification

�

Recurring fair value measurements:

�

Money market funds

�

4,000

�

4,000

�

Cash and cash equivalents

�

Foreign government treasury bills

�

Cash and cash equivalents

�

U.S.�treasuries and government agency securities

�

Short-term investments

�

ARS

�

Long-term investments

�

Total recurring fair value measurements

�

4,060

�

4,051

�

The following tables provide a reconciliation of the beginning and ending balances of our financial assets classified as Level�3 by major categories (amounts in millions) at September�30, 2014 and 2013, respectively:

�

�	�	Level�3					�
�	�	�		�	Total		�
�	�	�		�	financial		�
�	�	�		�	assets�at		�
�	�	ARS		�	fair		�
�	�	(a)		�	value		�
Balance at December�31, 2013	�	$	9	�	$	9	�
Total unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income	�	�		�	�		�
Balance at September�30, 2014	�	$	9	�	$	9	�

�

�	�	Level�3					�
�	�	�		�	Total		�
�	�	�		�	financial		�
�	�	�		�	assets�at		�
�	�	ARS		�	fair		�
�	�	(a)		�	value		�
Balance at December�31, 2012	�	$	8	�	$	8	�
Total unrealized gains included in other comprehensive income	�	1		�	1		�
Balance at September�30, 2013	�	$	9	�	$	9	�

�

(a)�� Fair value measurements have been estimated using an income-approach model. When estimating the fair value, we consider both observable market data and non-observable factors, including credit quality, duration, insurance wraps, collateral composition, maximum rate formulas, comparable trading instruments, and the likelihood of redemption. Significant assumptions used in the analysis include estimates for interest rates, spreads, cash flow timing and amounts, and holding periods of the securities. At September�30, 2014, assets measured at fair value using significant unobservable inputs (Level�3), all of which were ARS, represent less than 1% of our financial assets measured at fair value on a recurring basis.

�

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts

�

The Company transacts business in various foreign currencies and has significant international sales and expenses denominated in foreign currencies, subjecting us to foreign currency risk. In addition, the Company transacts intercompany business in various foreign currencies other than its functional currency, subjecting us to variability in the functional currency-equivalent cash flows. 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 with maturities of generally less than one year. We report the fair value of these contracts within �Other current assets� or �Other current liabilities� in our condensed consolidated balance sheets based on the prevailing exchange rates of the various hedged currencies as of the end of the relevant period.

�

Table of Contents

�

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

�

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges

�

In the recent periods, the foreign currency forward contracts that we entered into to mitigate risk from foreign currency-denominated monetary assets, liabilities, and earnings were not designated as hedging instruments under FASB Accounting Standards Codification (�ASC�) Topic 815, Derivatives and Hedging (�ASC 815�). Changes in the estimated fair value of these derivatives are recorded within �General and administrative expenses� and �Interest and other investment income (expense), net� in our condensed consolidated statements of operations, depending on the nature of the underlying transactions.

�

At September�30, 2014, we did not have any outstanding foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated as hedges.� At December�31, 2013, the gross notional amount of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges was $34 million. The fair value of these foreign currency forward contracts, which were recorded within �Other current assets,� was not material as of December�31, 2013. For the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, pre-tax net losses and gains associated with these forward contracts were not material.

�

Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Designated as Hedges

�

During the nine months ended September�30, 2014, we entered into foreign currency forward contracts to hedge forecasted intercompany cash flows that are subject to foreign currency risk and designated them as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC 815.� The Company assesses the effectiveness of these cash flow hedges at inception and on an ongoing basis and determines if the hedges are effective at providing offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. The Company records the effective portion of changes in the estimated fair value of these derivatives in �Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)� and subsequently reclassifies the related amount of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings when the hedged item impacts earnings. The Company measures hedge ineffectiveness, if any, and if it is determined that a derivative has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, the Company will discontinue hedge accounting for the derivative.

�

The gross notional amount of all outstanding foreign currency forward contracts designated as cash flow hedges was approximately $78 million at September�30, 2014. The net unrealized gains of approximately $5 million related to these contracts are expected to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months.� During the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, there was no ineffectiveness relating to these hedges.� For the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, pre-tax net realized gains associated with these forward contracts of $2 million were reclassified out of �Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)� into �General and administrative expense�.

�

Fair Value Measurements on a Non-Recurring Basis

�

We measure the fair value of certain assets on a non-recurring basis, generally annually or when events or changes in circumstances indicate that the carrying amount of the assets may not be recoverable. For the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, there were no impairment charges related to assets that are measured on a non-recurring basis.

�

7.�� Debt

�

The proceeds from the credit facilities and the unsecured senior notes, as described below, were used to fund the Purchase Transaction disclosed in Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

�

Credit Facilities

�

On October�11, 2013, in connection and simultaneously with the Purchase Transaction, we entered into a credit agreement (the �Credit Agreement�) for a $2.5 billion secured term loan facility maturing in October�2020 (the �Term Loan�), and a $250 million secured revolving credit facility maturing in October�2018 (the �Revolver� and, together with the Term Loan, the �Credit Facilities�). A portion of the Revolver can be used to issue letters of credit of up to $50 million, subject to the availability of the Revolver.�� To date, we have not drawn on the Revolver.

�

Table of Contents

�

Borrowings under the Term Loan and the Revolver bear interest, payable on a quarterly basis, at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, (A)�a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (a)�the interest rate in effect determined by the administrative agent as its �prime rate,� (b)�the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, and (c)�the London InterBank Offered Rate (�LIBOR�) rate for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, or (B)�LIBOR.�Further, LIBOR borrowings under the Term Loan will be subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.75%.� At September�30, 2014, the Term Loan bore interest at 3.25%. In certain circumstances, our applicable interest rate under the Credit Facilities will increase.

�

In addition to paying interest on outstanding principal balances under the Credit Facilities, we are required to pay the lenders a commitment fee on unused commitments under the Revolver. Commitment fees are recorded within �Interest and other investment income (expense), net� on the condensed consolidated statements of operations. We are also required to pay customary letter of credit fees and agency fees.

�

Under the terms of the Credit Agreement, we are required to make quarterly principal repayments of 0.25% of the Term Loan�s original principal amount, with the balance due on the maturity date.� On February�11, 2014, we made a voluntary repayment of $375 million on our Term Loan.�� This repayment satisfies the required quarterly principal repayments for the entire term of the Credit Agreement.� Since this voluntary principal repayment was not a contractual requirement as of December�31, 2013 and the Board of Directors did not approve the repayment until January�2014, only the contractual principal repayment of $25 million for 2014 has been reflected as �Current portion of long-term debt� in our consolidated balance sheet as of December�31, 2013.� Amounts borrowed under the Term Loan and repaid may not be re-borrowed.

�

The Credit Facilities are guaranteed by certain of the Company�s U.S. subsidiaries, whose assets represent approximately 70% of our consolidated assets.� The Credit Agreement contains customary covenants that place restrictions in certain circumstances on, among other things, the incurrence of debt, granting of liens, payment of dividends, sales of assets and mergers and acquisitions.� If our obligations under the Revolver exceed 15% of the total amount of that facility as of the end of any fiscal quarter (subject to certain exclusions for letters of credit), we are also subject to certain financial covenants. A violation of any of these covenants could result in an event of default under the Credit Agreement.� Upon the occurrence of such event of default or certain other customary events of default, payment of any outstanding amounts under the Credit Agreement may be accelerated, and the lenders� commitments to extend credit under the Credit Agreement may be terminated.� In addition, an event of default under the Credit Agreement could, under certain circumstances, permit the holders of other outstanding unsecured debt, including the debt holders described below, to accelerate the repayment of such obligations. The Company was in compliance with the terms of the Credit Facilities as of September�30, 2014.

�

Unsecured Senior Notes

�

On September�19, 2013, we issued, at par, $1.5 billion of 5.625% unsecured senior notes due September�2021 (the �2021 Notes�) and $750 million of 6.125% unsecured senior notes due September�2023 (the �2023 Notes� and, together with the 2021 Notes, the �Notes�) in a private offering to qualified institutional buyers made in accordance with Rule�144A under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

�

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 guaranteed on a senior basis by certain of our U.S. subsidiaries. The Notes and related guarantees are not secured and are effectively subordinated to any of the Company�s existing and future indebtedness that is secured, including the Credit Facilities. The Notes contain customary covenants that place restrictions in certain circumstances on, among other things, the incurrence of debt, granting of liens, payment of dividends, sales of assets and mergers and acquisitions.� The Company was in compliance with the terms of the Notes as of September�30, 2014.

�

Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March�15 and September�15 of each year, commencing on March�15, 2014.� As of September�30, 2014 and December�31, 2013, we had interest payable of $5 million and $38 million, respectively, related to the Notes recorded within �Accrued expenses and other liabilities� in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.

�

We may redeem the 2021 Notes on or after September�15, 2016 and the 2023 Notes on or after September�15, 2018, in each case, in whole or in part on any one or more occasions, at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest. At any time prior to September�15, 2016, with respect to the 2021 Notes, and at any time prior to September�15, 2018, with respect to the 2023 Notes, we may also redeem some or all of the Notes by paying a �make-whole premium�, plus accrued and unpaid interest.� Upon the occurrence of one or more qualified equity offerings, we may also redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of each of the 2021 Notes and 2023 Notes outstanding with the net cash proceeds from such offerings. The Notes are repayable, in whole or in part and at the option of the holders, upon the occurrence of a change in control and a ratings downgrade, at a purchase price equal to 101% of principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest.�� These redemption options are considered clearly and closely related to the Notes and were not accounted for separately upon issuance.

�

Table of Contents

�

Fees associated with the closing of the Term Loan and the Notes are recorded as debt discount, which reduce the carrying value of the Term Loan and the Notes. The debt discount is amortized over the respective terms of the Term Loan and the Notes. Amortization expense related to the debt discount is recorded within �Interest and other investment income (expense), net� in our condensed consolidated statement of operations.

�

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

�

�	�	September�30,�2014								�
�	�	Gross�Carrying		�	Unamortized		�	Net�Carrying		�
�	�	Amount		�	Discount		�	Amount		�
Term Loan	�	$	2,119	�	$	(11	)	$	2,108	�
2021 Notes	�	1,500		�	(24		)	1,476		�
2023 Notes	�	750		�	(12		)	738		�
Total debt	�	$	4,369	�	$	(47	)	$	4,322	�
Less: current portion of long-term debt	�	�		�	�		�	�		�
Total long-term debt	�	$	4,369	�	$	(47	)	$	4,322	�

�

�	�	December�31,�2013								�
�	�	Gross�Carrying		�	Unamortized		�	Net�Carrying		�
�	�	Amount		�	Discount		�	Amount		�
Term Loan	�	$	2,494	�	$	(12	)	$	2,482	�
2021 Notes	�	1,500		�	(26		)	1,474		�
2023 Notes	�	750		�	(13		)	737		�
Total debt	�	$	4,744	�	$	(51	)	$	4,693	�
Less: current portion of long-term debt	�	(25		)	�		�	(25		)
Total long-term debt	�	$	4,719	�	$	(51	)	$	4,668	�

�

For the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, interest expense was $50 million and $150 million, respectively, amortization of the debt discount for the Credit Facilities and Notes was $1 million and $4 million, respectively, and commitment fees for the Revolver were not material.� For the three and nine months ended September�30, 2013, interest expense was $4 million, amortization of the debt discount for the Credit Facilities and Notes were not material, and commitment fees for the Revolver were not material.

�

As of September�30, 2014, 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,	�	�		�
2014 (remaining three months)	�	$	�	�
2015	�	�		�
2016	�	�		�
2017	�	�		�
2018	�	�		�
Thereafter	�	4,369		�
Total	�	$	4,369	�

�

As of September�30, 2014 and December�31, 2013, the carrying value of the Term Loan approximates the fair value, based on Level 2 inputs, as the interest rate is variable over the selected interest period and is similar to current rates at which we can borrow funds.� Based on Level 2 inputs (observable market prices in less than active markets), the fair values of the 2021 Notes and 2023 Notes were $1,564 million and $799 million, respectively, at September�30, 2014 and $1,559 million and $785 million, respectively, at December�31, 2013.

�

Table of Contents

�

Deferred Financing Costs

�

Costs incurred to obtain our long-term debt are recorded as deferred financing costs within �Other assets � non-current� in our condensed consolidated balance sheets and are amortized over the terms of the respective debt agreements using a straight-line basis for costs related to the Revolver and the interest earned method for costs related to the Term Loan and Notes.� At September�30, 2013, we recorded $7 million of deferred financing costs.� Amortization expense related to the deferred financing costs is recorded within �Interest and other investment income (expense), net� in our condensed consolidated statements of operations.� For the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, this amount was not material.

�

8.�� Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)

�

The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September�30, 2014 and 2013, were as follows (amounts in millions):

�

For�the�Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,�2014

�

Foreign�currency

�

Unrealized�gain

�

Unrealized�gain

�

translation

�

on�available-for-

�

on�forward

�

adjustments

�

sale�securities

�

contracts

�

Total

�

Balance at December�31, 2013

�

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

�

(230

)

�

(223

)

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

�

)

Balance at September�30, 2014

�

(163

)

�

(157

)

�

For�the�Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,�2013

�

Foreign�currency

�

Unrealized�gain

�

Unrealized�gain

�

translation

�

on�available-for-

�

on�forward

�

adjustments

�

sale�securities

�

contracts

�

Total

�

Balance at December�31, 2012

�

(26

)

�

(26

)

Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications

�

Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)

�

Balance at September�30, 2013

�

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

�

9.�� Operating Segments and Geographic Region

�

Our operating segments are consistent with our internal organizational structure, the manner in which our operations are reviewed and managed by our Chief Executive Officer, who is our Chief Operating Decision Maker (�CODM�), the manner in which we assess operating performance and allocate resources, and the availability of separate financial information. Currently, we conduct our business through three operating segments: Activision, Blizzard and Distribution (see Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements). We do not aggregate operating segments.

�

Table of Contents

�

The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of the impact of the change in deferred revenues and related cost of sales with respect to certain of our online-enabled games, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting, and fees and other expenses (including legal fees, costs, expenses and accruals) related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings. The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis, and accordingly, no disclosure is made with respect thereto. Information on the operating segments and reconciliations of total net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues from external customers and consolidated income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013 are presented below (amounts in millions):

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

2014

�

2013

�

2014

�

2013

�

Income�(loss)�from�operations

�

Net�revenues

�

before�income�tax�expense
(benefit)

�

Activision

�

704

�

319

�

Blizzard

�

388

�

282

�

164

�

Distribution

�

)

Operating segments total

�

1,170

�

657

�

260

�

128

�

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues / consolidated income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit):

�

Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

�

(417

)

�

(180

)

�

Stock-based compensation expense

�

(22

)

(25

)

Amortization of intangible assets

�

)

Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings

�

(48

)

(62

)

Consolidated net revenues / operating income

�

753

�

691

�

Interest and other investment income (expense), net

�

(51

)

Consolidated income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

�

(43

)

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

2014

�

2013

�

2014

�

2013

�

Income�(loss)�from�operations

�

Net�revenues

�

before�income�tax�expense

�

Activision

�

1,193

�

1,090

�

214

�

Blizzard

�

1,189

�

837

�

548

�

282

�

Distribution

�

218

�

143

�

)

Operating segments total

�

2,600

�

2,070

�

613

�

495

�

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

�

Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

�

233

�

995

�

260

�

738

�

Stock-based compensation expense

�

(76

)

(76

)

Amortization of intangible assets

�

)

Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings

�

(48

)

(62

)

Consolidated net revenues / operating income

�

2,833

�

3,065

�

745

�

1,087

�

Interest and other investment income (expense), net

�

(152

)

Consolidated income before income tax expense

�

593

�

1,086

�

Table of Contents

�

Geographic information presented below for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013 is based on the location of the selling entity. Net revenues from external customers by geographic region were as follows (amounts in millions):

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

2014

�

2013

�

2014

�

2013

�

Net revenues by geographic region:

�

North America

�

350

�

344

�

1,384

�

1,643

�

Europe

�

316

�

290

�

1,172

�

1,180

�

Asia Pacific

�

277

�

242

�

Total consolidated net revenues

�

753

�

691

�

2,833

�

3,065

�

The Company�s net revenues in the U.S. were 45% and 48% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.� The Company�s net revenues in France were 19% and 16% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.� The Company�s net revenues in the U.K. were 14% and 13% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. No other country�s net revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated net revenues.

�

The Company�s net revenues in the U.S. were 46% and 51% of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.� The Company�s net revenues in France were 16% and 13% of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.� The Company�s net revenues in the U.K. were 14% and 12% of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, respectively. No other country�s net revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated net revenues.

�

Net revenues by platform were as follows (amounts in millions):

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

2014

�

2013

�

2014

�

2013

�

Net revenues by platform:

�

Console

�

270

�

296

�

1,402

�

1,634

�

Online (1)

�

205

�

205

�

601

�

714

�

165

�

447

�

274

�

Mobile and other (2)

�

165

�

300

�

Total Activision Blizzard net revenues

�

675

�

635

�

2,615

�

2,922

�

Distribution

�

218

�

143

�

Total consolidated net revenues

�

753

�

691

�

2,833

�

3,065

�

(1)�� Revenues from online consist of revenues from all World of Warcraft products, including subscriptions, boxed products, expansion packs, licensing royalties, and value-added services.

�

(2)�� Revenues from mobile and other include revenues from handheld and mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game related revenues, such as standalone sales of toys and accessories products from the Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories.

�

Long-lived assets by geographic region at September�30, 2014 and December�31, 2013 were as follows (amounts in millions):

�

�	�	At�September�30,		�	At�December�31,		�
�	�	2014		�	2013		�
Long-lived assets* by geographic region:	�	�		�	�		�
North America	�	$	123	�	$	102	�
Europe	�	32		�	29		�
Asia Pacific	�	7		�	7		�
Total long-lived assets by geographic region	�	$	162	�	$	138	�

�

Table of Contents

�

*The only long-lived assets that we classify by region are our long-term tangible fixed assets, which only include property, plant and equipment assets; all other long-term assets are not allocated by location.

�

We had one customer, GameStop, which accounted for approximately 16% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September�30, 2014.� There were no external customers that accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September�30, 2014.� No single external customer accounted for 10% or more of consolidated net revenues for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2013.

�

10. Stock-Based Compensation

�

On June�5, 2014, our shareholders approved the Activision Blizzard,�Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan (the �2014 Plan�) and the 2014 Plan became effective. The 2014 Plan authorizes the Compensation Committee of our Board of Directors to provide equity-based compensation in the form of stock options, share appreciation rights, restricted stock, restricted stock units, performance shares, performance units and other performance- or value-based awards structured by the Compensation Committee within parameters set forth in the 2014 Plan, including custom awards that are denominated or payable in, valued in whole or in part by reference to, or otherwise based on or related to, shares of our common stock, or factors that may influence the value of our common stock or that are valued based on our performance or the performance of any of our subsidiaries or business units or other factors designated by the Compensation Committee, as well as incentive bonuses, for the purpose of providing incentives and rewards for superior performance to the directors, officers, employees of, and consultants to, Activision Blizzard and its subsidiaries.

�

While the Compensation Committee has broad discretion to create equity incentives, our stock-based compensation program currently primarily utilizes a combination of options and restricted stock units. Options have time-based vesting schedules, generally vesting annually over a period of three to five years, and all options expire ten years from the grant date. Restricted stock units either have time-based vesting schedules, generally vesting in their entirety on an anniversary of the date of grant or vesting annually over a period of three to five years, or they vest only if certain performance measures are met. In addition, under the terms of the 2014 Plan, the exercise price for the options must be equal to or greater than the closing price per share of our common stock on the date the award is granted, as reported on NASDAQ.

�

Upon the effective date of the 2014 Plan, we ceased making awards under the following equity incentive plans (collectively, the �Prior Plans�), although such plans will remain in effect and continue to govern outstanding awards:� (i)�Activision,�Inc. 1998 Incentive Plan, as amended; (ii)�Activision,�Inc. 1999 Incentive Plan, as amended; (iii)�Activision,�Inc. 2001 Incentive Plan, as amended; (iv)�Activision,�Inc. 2002 Incentive Plan, as amended; (v)�Activision,�Inc. 2002 Executive Incentive Plan, as amended; (vi)�Activision,�Inc. 2002 Studio Employee Retention Incentive Plan, as amended; (vii)�Activision,�Inc. 2003 Incentive Plan, as amended; (viii)�Activision,�Inc. 2007 Incentive Plan; and (ix)�Activision Blizzard,�Inc. 2008 Incentive Plan.

�

As of the date it was approved by our shareholders, there were 46 million shares available for issuance under the 2014 Plan.� The number of shares of our common stock reserved for issuance under the 2014 Plan has been, and may be further, increased from time to time by:� (i)�the number of shares relating to awards outstanding under any Prior Plan that:� (a)�expire, or are forfeited, terminated or cancelled, without the issuance of shares; (b)�are settled in cash in lieu of shares; or (c)�are exchanged, prior to the issuance of shares of our common stock, for awards not involving our common stock; (ii)�if the exercise price of any option outstanding under any Prior Plan is, or the tax withholding requirements with respect to any award outstanding under any Prior Plan are, satisfied by withholding shares otherwise then deliverable in respect of the award or the actual or constructive transfer to the Company of shares already owned, the number of shares equal to the withheld or transferred shares; and (iii)�if a share appreciation right is exercised and settled in shares, a number of shares equal to the difference between the total number of shares with respect to which the award is exercised and the number of shares actually issued or transferred. As of September�30, 2014, we had approximately 46�million shares of our common stock reserved for future issuance under the 2014 Plan. Shares issued in connection with awards made under the 2014 Plan are generally issued as new stock issuances.

�

11.�� Income Taxes

�

The Company accounts for its provision for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740,�Income Taxes, which requires an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full year to be applied to the respective 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 differs from the statutory U.S. income tax rate due to the effect of state and local income taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate will change from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of our earnings, changes in projected results for various jurisdictions, changes in enacted tax legislation, including certain business tax credits, state and local income taxes, tax audit settlements, certain nondeductible expenses, and the interaction of various global tax strategies. 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.

�

Table of Contents

�

The income tax benefit of $20 million for the three months ended September�30, 2014 reflects an effective tax rate of 46.5%, which is higher than the effective tax rate of 15.2% for the three months ended September�30, 2013. �This increase is primarily due to the incremental tax benefit for the lower estimated effective annual tax rate resulting from an increase in the amount of foreign earnings taxed at relatively lower statutory rates, as compared to domestic earnings taxed at relatively higher statutory rates, partially offset by certain non-tax benefited costs incurred during the quarter.

�

The income tax expense of $119 million for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 reflects an effective tax rate of 20.1%, which is lower than the effective tax rate of 22.9% for the nine months ended September�30, 2013.� This decrease is primarily due to the incremental tax benefit for the lower estimated effective annual tax rate resulting from an increase in the amount of foreign earnings taxed at relatively lower statutory rates, as compared to domestic earnings taxed at relatively higher statutory rates, partially offset by certain non-tax benefited costs.

�

The effective tax rate of 46.5% for the three months ended September�30, 2014 differed from the U.S. statutory rate of 35.0%, primarily due to the incremental tax benefit for the lower estimated effective annual tax rate resulting from an increase in the amount of foreign earnings taxed at relatively lower statutory rates, as compared to domestic earnings taxed at relatively higher statutory rates, partially offset by certain non-tax benefited costs incurred during the quarter, recognition of California research and development credits, the federal domestic production deductions and favorable return to provision adjustments, partially offset by increases to the Company�s reserve for uncertain tax positions.

�

The overall effective income tax rate for the year could be different from the effective tax rate for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and will be dependent, in part, on our profitability for the remainder of the year. Our effective income tax rates for the remainder of 2014 and future periods will also depend on a variety of other factors, such as changes in the mix of income by tax jurisdiction, applicable accounting rules�regarding certain nondeductible expenses, applicable tax laws and regulations, rulings and interpretations thereof, developments in tax audits and other matters, and variations in the estimated and actual level of annual pre-tax income or loss. Further, the effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly on a quarterly basis and could be adversely affected by the extent that our pre-tax income is lower than anticipated in foreign regions, where taxes are levied at relatively lower statutory rates, and/or our pre-tax income is higher than anticipated in the United States, where taxes are levied at relatively higher statutory rates.

�

The Internal Revenue Service (�IRS�) is currently examining Activision Blizzard�s federal tax returns for the 2008 through 2011 tax years.� Additionally, the IRS is currently reviewing the Company�s application for an advanced pricing agreement (�APA�) with respect to the transfer pricing methodology used by the Company for tax years 2010 through 2016.� �If ongoing discussions with the IRS result in an APA, this could result in a different allocation of profits and losses under the Company�s transfer pricing agreements.� Such allocation could have a positive or negative impact on the Company�s provision for uncertain tax positions for the period in which such an agreement is reached and the relevant periods thereafter.

�

In addition, Vivendi Games� tax returns for the 2005 through 2008 tax years are under examination by the Internal Revenue Service. While Vivendi Games� results for the period January�1, 2008 through July�9, 2008 are included in the consolidated federal and certain foreign, state and local income tax returns filed by Vivendi or its affiliates, Vivendi Games� results for the period 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. Additionally, the Company has several state and non-U.S. audits pending. Although the final resolution of the Company�s global tax disputes is uncertain, based on current information, in the opinion of the Company�s management, the ultimate resolution of these matters are not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company�s consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations. However, an unfavorable resolution of the Company�s global tax disputes could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations in the period in which the matters are ultimately resolved.

�

In connection with the Purchase Transaction, we assumed certain tax attributes of New VH, which generally consist of New VH�s net operating loss (�NOL�) carryforwards of approximately $760�million, which represent a potential future tax benefit of approximately $266�million. The utilization of such NOL carryforwards will be subject to certain annual limitations and will begin to expire in 2021. The Company also obtained indemnification from Vivendi against losses attributable to the disallowance of claimed utilization of such NOL carryforwards of up to $200�million in unrealized tax benefits in the aggregate, limited to taxable years ending on or prior to December�31, 2016. No benefit for these tax attributes or indemnification was recorded upon the close of the Purchase Transaction, as the benefit from these tax attributes did not meet the �more-likely-than-not� standard.� For the nine months ended September�30, 2014, we utilized $142�million of the NOL, which resulted in a benefit of $50�million, and a corresponding reserve was established as the position did not meet the �more-likely-than-not� standard.� In addition, for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, an indemnification asset of $50�million has been recorded in �Other Assets�, and, correspondingly, the same amount has been recorded as a reduction to the consideration paid for the shares repurchased in �Treasury Stock� (see Note�1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details about the share repurchase).

�

Table of Contents

�

12.�� Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings (Loss) Per Common Share

�

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

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

2014

�

2013

�

2014

�

2013

�

Numerator:

�

Consolidated net income (loss)

�

(23

)

�

474

�

837

�

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

�

)

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

�

)

(14

)

Numerator for basic and diluted earnings (loss) per common share - income (loss) available to common shareholders

�

(23

)

�

462

�

819

�

Denominator:

�

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

�

718

�

1,122

�

714

�

1,118

�

Effect of potential dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method: Employee stock options and others

�

Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding plus dilutive effect of employee stock options and others

�

718

�

1,134

�

725

�

1,127

�

Basic earnings (loss) per common share

�

(0.03

)

0.05

�

0.65

�

0.73

�

Diluted earnings (loss) per common share

�

(0.03

)

0.05

�

0.64

�

0.73

�

Certain of our unvested restricted stock rights (including certain restricted stock units, restricted stock awards, and performance shares) met the definition of participating securities 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 the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, on a weighted-average basis, we had outstanding unvested restricted stock rights with respect to 14 million and 16 million shares of common stock that are participating in earnings, respectively.� For the three and nine months ended September�30, 2013, on a weighted-average basis, we had outstanding unvested restricted stock rights with respect to 24 million and 25�million shares of common stock that are participating in earnings, respectively.

�

Certain of our employee-related restricted stock rights are contingently issuable upon the satisfaction of pre-defined performance measures.� These shares 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 5 million and 4 million shares are not included in the computation of diluted loss per share for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, respectively, as their respective performance measures have not been met.

�

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, such as in a period in which a net loss is recorded. Therefore, options to acquire 10 million and 1 million shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, respectively, and options to acquire 2 million and 8 million shares of common stock were not included in the calculation of diluted earnings per common share for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2013, respectively, as the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

�

Table of Contents

�

See Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for details of the Purchase Transaction which reduced outstanding shares as compared to prior year.

�

13.�� Capital Transactions

�

Stock Purchase Agreement

�

On October�11, 2013, as described in Note 1 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we completed the Purchase Transaction, repurchasing approximately 429 million shares of our common stock for a cash payment of $5.83 billion, pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement (refer to Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements for financing details of the Purchase Transaction).�� The repurchased shares were recorded in �Treasury Stock� in our condensed consolidated balance sheet.

�

Dividend

�

On February�6, 2014, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.20 per common share, payable on May�14, 2014, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March�19, 2014. On May�14, 2014, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $143 million to such shareholders, and on May�30, 2014, we made related dividend equivalent payments of $4 million to holders of restricted stock units.

�

On February�7, 2013, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.19 per common share, payable on May�15, 2013, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March�20, 2013. On May�15, 2013, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $212 million to such shareholders, and on May�31, 2013, we made related dividend equivalent payments of $4 million to holders of restricted stock units.

�

14.�� Commitments and Contingencies

�

Letters of Credit

�

As described in Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, a portion of our Revolver can be used to issue letters of credit of up to $50 million, subject to the availability of the Revolver. At September�30, 2014, we have not issued any letters of credit under the Revolver.

�

Legal Proceedings

�

We are subject to various legal proceedings and claims. SEC regulations govern disclosure of legal proceedings in periodic reports and FASB ASC Topic 450 governs the disclosure of loss contingencies and accrual of loss contingencies in respect of litigation and other claims. We record an accrual for a potential loss when it is probable that a loss will occur and the amount of the loss can be reasonably estimated. When the reasonable estimate of the potential loss is within a range of amounts, the minimum of the range of potential loss is accrued, unless a higher amount within the range is a better estimate than any other amount within the range. Moreover, even if an accrual is not required, we provide additional disclosure related to litigation and other claims when it is reasonably possible (i.e., more than remote) that the outcomes of such litigation and other claims include potential material adverse impacts on us.

�

The outcomes of legal proceedings and other claims are subject to significant uncertainties, many of which are outside of our control. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of these matters, including the probability determination and whether a potential exposure can be reasonably estimated. In making these determinations, we, in consultation with outside counsel, examine the relevant facts and circumstances on a quarterly basis assuming, as applicable, a combination of settlement and litigated outcomes and strategies. Moreover, legal matters are inherently unpredictable and the timing of development of factors on which reasonable judgments and estimates can be based can be slow. As such, there can be no assurance that the final outcome of any legal matter will not materially and adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, profitability, cash flows or liquidity.

�

Table of Contents

�

Purchase Transaction Matters

�

On August�1, 2013, a purported shareholder of the Company filed a shareholder derivative action in the Superior Court of the State of California, County of Los Angeles, captioned Miller v. Kotick, et al., No.�BC517086. The complaint names our Board of Directors and Vivendi as defendants, and the Company as a nominal defendant. The complaint alleges that our Board of Directors committed breaches of fiduciary duties, waste of corporate assets and unjust enrichment in connection with Vivendi�s sale of its stake in the Company and that Vivendi also breached its fiduciary duties. The plaintiff further alleges that demand by it on our Board of Directors to institute action would be futile because a majority of our Board of Directors is not independent and a majority of the individual defendants face a substantial likelihood of liability for approving the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement. The complaint seeks, among other things, damages sustained by the Company, rescission of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement, an order restricting our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman from purchasing additional shares of our common stock and an order directing us to take necessary actions to improve and reform our corporate governance and internal procedures to comply with applicable law, including ordering a shareholder vote on certain amendments to our by-laws or charter that would require half of our Board of Directors to be independent of Messrs.�Kotick and Kelly and Vivendi and a proposal to appoint a new independent Chairman of the Board of Directors. On January�28, 2014, the parties filed a stipulation and proposed order temporarily staying the California action.� On February�6, 2014, the court entered the order granting a stay of the California action.

�

In addition, on August�14, 2013, we received a letter dated August�9, 2013 from a shareholder seeking, pursuant to Section�220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, to inspect the books and records of the Company to ascertain whether the Purchase Transaction and Private Sale were in the best interests of the Company.� In response to that request, we provided the stockholder with certain materials under a confidentiality agreement. On September�11, 2013, a complaint was filed under seal by the same stockholder in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in an action captioned Pacchia�v. Kotick�et�al., C.A.�No.�8884-VCL. A public version of that complaint was filed on September�16, 2013. The allegations in the complaint were substantially similar to the allegations in the above referenced matter filed on August�1, 2013.� On October�25, 2013, Pacchia filed an amended complaint under seal.� The amended complaint added claims on behalf of an alleged class of Activision stockholders other than the Company�s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Vivendi, ASAC, investors in ASAC and other stockholders affiliated with the investors of ASAC.� The added class claims are against the Company�s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, the Vivendi affiliated directors, the members of the special committee of the Board formed in connection with the Company�s consideration of the transactions with Vivendi and ASAC, and Vivendi for breach of fiduciary duty, as well as aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty against ASAC.� The amended complaint removed the derivative claims for waste of corporate assets and disgorgement but continued to allege derivative claims for breach of fiduciary duties.� The amended complaint seeks, among other things, certification of a class, damages, reformation of the Private Sale, and disgorgement of any alleged profits received by the Company�s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and ASAC.� On October�29, 2013, Pacchia filed a motion to consolidate the Pacchia case with the Hayes case described below.� On November�2, 2013, the Court of Chancery consolidated the Pacchia and Hayes cases and ordered the plaintiffs to file supplemental papers related to determining lead plaintiff and lead counsel no later than November�8, 2013.� On December�3, 2013, the court selected Pacchia as lead plaintiff.� Pacchia filed a second amended complaint on December�11, 2013 and Activision filed an answer on January�31, 2014.� Also on January�31, 2014, the special committee, ASAC, Messrs.�Kotick and Kelly, Vivendi and the Vivendi-affiliated directors each filed motions to dismiss certain claims in the second amended complaint. On February�21, 2014, Pacchia filed a third amended complaint under seal.� In response to Pacchia�s filing of a third amended complaint, the special committee, ASAC, Messrs.�Kotick and Kelly, Vivendi and the Vivendi-affiliated directors each filed motions to dismiss certain claims in the third amended complaint. On June�6, 2014, the Court of Chancery denied the defendants� motions to dismiss such claims, with the exception of a breach of contract claim. Subsequently, Pacchia filed a fourth amended complaint containing substantially all of his prior claims, but with the addition of new allegations gleaned from discovery in the matter.� ASAC filed a motion to dismiss the re-pleaded breach of contract claim and the other defendants filed answers in response to the fourth amended complaint.

�

On September�11, 2013, another stockholder of the Company filed a putative class action and stockholder derivative action in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware, captioned Hayes�v. Activision Blizzard,�Inc.,�et�al., No.�8885-VCL. The complaint names our Board of Directors, Vivendi, New VH, ASAC, the General Partner of ASAC, Davis Selected Advisers,�L.P. (�Davis�) and Fidelity Management�& Research�Co. (�FMR�) as defendants, and the Company as a nominal defendant. The complaint alleges that the defendants violated certain provisions of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation by failing to submit the matters contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement for approval by a majority of our stockholders (other than Vivendi and its controlled affiliates); that our Board of Directors committed breaches of their fiduciary duties in approving the Stock Purchase Agreement; that Vivendi violated fiduciary duties owed to other stockholders of the Company in entering into the Stock Purchase Agreement; that our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman usurped a corporate opportunity from the Company; that our Board of Directors and Vivendi have engaged in actions to entrench our Board of Directors and officers in their offices; that the ASAC Entities, Davis and FMR aided and abetted breaches of fiduciary duties by the Board of Directors and Vivendi; and that our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman, the ASAC Entities, Davis and FMR will be unjustly enriched through the Private Sale. The complaint seeks, among other things, the rescission of the Private Sale; an order requiring the transfer to the Company of all or part of the shares that are the subject of the Private Sale; an order implementing measures to eliminate or mitigate the alleged entrenching effects of the Private Sale; an order requiring our Chief Executive Officer and our Chairman, the ASAC Entities, Davis and FMR to disgorge to the Company the amounts by which they have allegedly been unjustly enriched; and alleged damages sustained by the class and the Company. In addition, the stockholder sought a temporary restraining order preventing the defendants from consummating the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement without stockholder approval. Following a hearing on the motion for a temporary restraining order, on September�18, 2013, the Court of Chancery issued a preliminary injunction order, enjoining the consummation of the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement pending (a)�the issuance of a final decision after a trial on the merits; (b)�receipt of a favorable Activision Blizzard stockholder vote on the transactions contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement under Section�9.1(b)�of our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation or (c)�modification of such preliminary injunction order by the Court of Chancery or the Delaware Supreme Court. On September�20, 2013, the Court of Chancery certified its order issuing the preliminary injunction for interlocutory appeal to the Delaware Supreme Court. The defendants moved the Delaware Supreme Court to accept and hear the appeal on an expedited basis. On September�23, 2013, the Delaware Supreme Court accepted the appeal of the Court of Chancery�s decision and granted the defendant�s motion to hear the appeal on an expedited basis.

�

Table of Contents

�

Following a hearing on October�10, 2013, the Delaware Supreme Court reversed the Court of Chancery�s order issuing a preliminary injunction, and determined that the Stock Purchase Agreement was not a merger, business combination or similar transaction that would require a vote of Activision�s unaffiliated stockholders under the charter.

�

On October�29, 2013, an amended complaint was filed. It added factual allegations but no new claims or relief. Also on October�29, 2013, Hayes filed a motion to consolidate the Hayes case with the Pacchia case.� As noted above, on November�2, 2013, the Court of Chancery consolidated the Pacchia and Hayes cases and ordered the plaintiffs to file supplemental papers related to determining lead plaintiff and lead counsel no later than November�8, 2013.� See the discussion above related to the Pacchia matter (now the consolidated matter) for any further updates to the status of the litigation.

�

Further, on September�18, 2013, the Company received a letter from another purported stockholder of the Company, Milton Pfeiffer, seeking, pursuant to Section�220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, to inspect the books and records of the Company to investigate potential wrongdoing or mismanagement in connection with the approval of the Stock Purchase Agreement.� On November�11, 2013, Pfeiffer filed a lawsuit in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware pursuant to Delaware Section�220 containing claims similar to Hayes, Pacchia and Miller.� The Company answered on November�27, 2013.� On January�21, 2014, the Court of Chancery entered the parties� stipulation and order of dismissal.

�

On December�17, 2013, the Company received a letter from Mark Benston requesting certain books and records of the Company pursuant to Section�220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law.� Benston is represented by the same law firm as Pfeiffer.� On January�2, 2014, Benston filed a lawsuit in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware pursuant to Delaware Section�220 containing claims similar to Hayes, Pacchia, Pfeiffer and Miller.� The Company answered on January�17, 2014. On February�14, 2014, the Court of Chancery entered the parties� stipulation and order of dismissal.

�

On March�14, 2014, Benston filed a putative class action and derivative complaint in the Court of Chancery, captioned Benston v. Vivendi S.A. et al., No.�9447-VCL. The complaint makes claims similar to Hayes, Pacchia, Pfeiffer and Miller, but also adds J.P. Morgan Chase�& Co. and J.P. Morgan Securities LLC as defendants and a so-called Brophy claim for insider trading against certain of the defendants. Benston and his attorneys petitioned the Court of Chancery to appoint them as co-lead plaintiff and co-lead counsel, respectively, for purposes of pursuing the Brophy claim as part of the consolidated Pacchia litigation. On June�6, 2014, the Court of Chancery denied Benston�s motion for a leadership role in the consolidated Pacchia litigation.� As a result, Pacchia continues to serve as the lead plaintiff in the consolidated cases.

�

Certain of defendants filed a motion to dismiss the breach of contract claim set forth in the Fourth Amended Complaint.� The Court of Chancery heard arguments on the motion to dismiss, but has not yet ruled.� Pacchia obtained leave to file a Fifth Amended Complaint, which adds additional color to his allegations of wrongdoing based on information learned in discovery, including with respect to the appointment and subsequent election of several of the directors to our Board.� For the most part, fact and expert discovery has been completed in the Pacchia matter, including the exchange of expert damage and other reports.� Pacchia�s expert�s reports allege damages to the Company in excess of $540 million and to the purported class in excess of $640 million, in addition to disgorgement claims, which could, in theory, exceed $1 billion.� Defendants� experts� reports maintain there are no damages to the Company or to the purported class because the Purchase Transaction and the Private Sale were the best transactions available to the parties and the alternate transactions hypothesized by the plaintiff were inferior.� Motion practice continues with respect to the definition of the purported class.� The trial in the Pacchia matter is scheduled to begin on December�8 and expected to conclude before the end of the year or soon thereafter.� The parties to the litigation and the Company�s D&O insurers have engaged in and anticipate continuing to engage in settlement discussions.

�

Table of Contents

�

For the quarter ended September�30, 2014, we accrued a loss contingency in our consolidated financial statements in connection with this matter. The accrual relates to potential liabilities associated with legal fees, costs and expenses for services already received prior to the quarter�s end, where such fees, costs and expenses have not yet been paid at the quarter�s end, and the Company�s potential contribution toward the potential settlement of the matter.� Although the Company has D&O insurance in connection with the consolidated litigation in a total amount up to $200 million, various insurers have raised arguments that they believe give them the right to deny coverage for a portion of these fees, costs and expenses, as well as for all or a portion of the ultimate liability which may occur in settlement or at trial.� Under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and certain agreements with members of our Board of Directors, the Company has indemnification obligations to the director defendants to advance fees, costs and expenses and to pay liabilities which arise in connection with their service to the Company, in each case, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law.� In light of these indemnification obligations and the positions currently taken by the parties and the various insurers, we determined that a liability is probable and estimable, and accordingly, an accrual was required.� Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, other potential outcomes are reasonably possible, including outcomes which are above the amount of the accrual. The Company believes the possibility that this lawsuit will have a material impact on the Company�s business, financial condition, results of operation or liquidity is remote. However, if this assessment is incorrect, then an unfavorable resolution of this lawsuit above the amount of the accrual could have a material adverse effect on the Company�s business, financial condition, results of operation or liquidity, particularly in the period in which any additional potential liabilities may be recognized.

�

We believe that the defendants have meritorious defenses.� If the Pacchia matter does not settle, then we believe the defendants intend to defend the lawsuit and other related cases vigorously at trial. However, these lawsuits and any other lawsuits are subject to inherent uncertainties and the actual outcome and costs will depend upon many unknown factors. The outcome of litigation is necessarily uncertain, and the Company could be forced to expend significant resources in the defense of these lawsuits and the Company and the defendants may not prevail.� The Company also may be subject to additional claims in connection with the Purchase Transaction and Private Sale. Monitoring and defending against legal actions is time consuming for our management and detracts from our ability to fully focus our internal resources on our business.

�

Other Matters

�

In addition, 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.

�

15.� Related Party Transactions

�

Transactions with Vivendi and Its Affiliates

�

As part of the Business Combination in 2008, we entered into various transactions and agreements, including cash management services agreements, a tax sharing agreement and an investor agreement, with Vivendi and its subsidiaries. In connection with the consummation of the Purchase Transaction, we terminated the cash management arrangements with Vivendi and amended our investor agreement with Vivendi. We are also party to a number of agreements with subsidiaries and other affiliates of Vivendi, including music licensing and distribution arrangements and promotional arrangements, none of which were impacted by the Purchase Transaction.� None of these services, transactions and agreements with Vivendi and its affiliates were material, either individually or in the aggregate, to the consolidated financial statements as a whole.

�

Transactions with ASAC�s Affiliates

�

Pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, the Company and each of Mr.�Kotick, the Company�s Chief Executive Officer, and Mr.�Kelly, the Company�s Chairman of the board of directors, entered into a waiver and acknowledgement letters (together, the �Waivers�), which provide, among other things, (i)�that the Purchase Transaction, Private Sale, any public offerings by Vivendi and restructurings by Vivendi and its subsidiaries contemplated by the Stock Purchase Agreement and other transaction documents, shall not (or shall be deemed not to) constitute a �change in control� (or similar term) under their respective employment arrangements, including their employment agreements with the Company, the Company�s 2008 Incentive Plan or any award agreements in respect of awards granted thereunder, or any Other Benefit Plans and Arrangements (as defined in the Waivers), (ii)�(A)�that the shares of our common stock acquired by ASAC and held or controlled by the ASAC Investors (as defined in the Waivers) in connection with the Transactions (as defined in the Waivers) will not be included in or count toward, (B)�that the ASAC Investors will not be deemed to be a group for purposes of, and (C)�any changes in the composition in the board of directors of the Company, in connection with or during the one-year period following the consummation of the Transactions will not contribute towards, a determination that a �change in control� or similar term has occurred with respect to Messrs.�Kotick and Kelly�s employment arrangements with the Company, and (iii)�for the waiver by Messrs.�Kotick and Kelly of their rights to change in control payments or benefits under their employment agreements with the Company, the Company�s 2008 Incentive Plan or any award agreements in respect of awards granted thereunder, and any Other Benefit Plans and Arrangements (in each case, with respect to all current and future grants, awards, benefits or entitlements) in connection with or as a consequence of the Transactions.

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Table of Contents

�

Also pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, on October�11, 2013, we, ASAC and, for the limited purposes set forth therein, Messrs.�Kotick and Kelly entered into the Stockholders Agreement. The Stockholders Agreement contains various agreements among the parties regarding voting rights, transfer rights, and a standstill agreement, among other things.

�

16.�� Recently issued accounting pronouncements

�

Accounting for cumulative translation adjustments

�

In February�2013, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to the release of cumulative translation adjustments into net income when a parent either sells a part or all of its investment in a foreign entity or no longer holds a controlling financial interest in a foreign entity. This update was effective for fiscal years beginning after December�15, 2013. Upon adoption of this guidance on January�1, 2014, there was no material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements.

�

Presentation of unrecognized tax benefits

�

In July�2013, the FASB issued an update to the authoritative guidance related to the presentation of an unrecognized tax benefit in the financial statements. The update will require entities to present an unrecognized tax benefit as a reduction of a deferred tax asset for a net operating loss or other tax credit carryforwards when settlement in this manner is available under the tax laws. This update is effective for fiscal years beginning after December�15, 2013. Upon our adoption of this guidance, �Deferred income taxes, net� under non-current liabilities increased by approximately $46 million, and correspondingly, �Other liabilities� under non-current liabilities decreased by the same amount in our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of December�31, 2013 to conform with the presentation as of September�30, 2014.

�

Revenue recognition

�

In May�2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. This new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. The new revenue recognition standard provides 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 for which the entity expects to be entitled in exchange for those goods or services. This guidance will be effective beginning January�1, 2017 and can be applied either retrospectively to each period presented or as a cumulative-effect adjustment as of the date of adoption. We are evaluating the adoption method as well as the effects of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements.

�

Stock-based compensation

�

In June�2014, the FASB issued new guidance related to stock compensation. The new standard requires that a performance target that affects vesting, and that could be achieved after the requisite service period, be treated as a performance condition. As such, the performance target should not be reflected in estimating the grant date fair value of the award. This update further clarifies that compensation cost should be recognized in the period in which it becomes probable that the performance target will be achieved and should represent the compensation cost attributable to the periods for which the requisite service has already been rendered. The new standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December�15, 2015 and can be applied either prospectively or retrospectively to all awards outstanding as of the beginning of the earliest annual period presented as an adjustment to opening retained earnings. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our financial statements.

�

Going concern disclosures

�

In August�2014, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity�s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures under certain circumstances.� This update will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December�15, 2016.� Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our financial statements.

�

Table of Contents

�

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. The terms �Activision Blizzard,� the �Company,� �we,� �us,� and �our� are used to refer collectively to Activision Blizzard,�Inc. and its subsidiaries. We publish games for video game consoles, personal computers (�PC�), and handheld, mobile and tablet devices. Based upon our organizational structure, we conduct our business through three operating segments as follows:

�

Activision Publishing,�Inc.

�

Activision Publishing,�Inc. (�Activision�) is a leading international developer and publisher of interactive software products and content.� Activision delivers content to a broad range of gamers, ranging from children to adults, and from core gamers to mass-market consumers to �value� buyers seeking budget-priced software, in a variety of geographies. Activision develops games based on internally-developed properties, including games in the Call of Duty� and Skylanders� franchises, and to a lesser extent, based on licensed intellectual properties. Additionally, we have established a long-term alliance with Bungie to publish its game universe, Destiny�, which was released on September�9, 2014.� Activision sells games through both retail and digital online channels.� Activision currently offers games that operate on the Microsoft Corporation (�Microsoft�) Xbox One (�Xbox One�) and Xbox�360 (�Xbox�360�), Nintendo�Co.�Ltd. (�Nintendo�) Wii U (�Wii U�) and Wii (�Wii�), and Sony Computer Entertainment,�Inc. (�Sony�) PlayStation 4 (�PS4�) and PlayStation 3 (�PS3�) console systems (Xbox One, Wii U, and PS4 are collectively referred to as �next-generation�; Xbox 360, Wii, and PS3 are collectively referred to as �current-generation�); the PC; the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Dual Screen, and Sony PlayStation Vita handheld game systems; and other handheld and mobile devices.

�

Blizzard Entertainment,�Inc.

�

Blizzard Entertainment,�Inc. (�Blizzard�) is a leader in the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing game (�MMORPG�) category in terms of both subscriber base and revenues generated through its World of Warcraft� franchise, which it develops, hosts and supports. Blizzard also develops, markets, and sells role-playing action and strategy games for the PC and consoles, including games in the multiple-award winning Diablo� and StarCraft� franchises.� In addition, Blizzard maintains a proprietary online-game related service, Battle.net�.� Blizzard distributes its products and generates revenues worldwide through various means, including: subscriptions; sales of prepaid subscription cards; value-added services, such as in-game purchases and services; retail sales of physical �boxed� products; online download sales of PC products; and licensing of software to third-party or related party companies that distribute World of Warcraft, Diablo III and StarCraft II products.� In addition, Blizzard released Hearthstone�: Heroes of Warcraft�, a free-to-play digital collectible card game available on the PC and iPad, and is currently developing Heroes of the Storm�, a new free-to-play online hero brawler.

�

Activision Blizzard Distribution

�

Business Highlights

�

For the three months ended September�30, 2014, Activision Blizzard had net revenues of $753 million, as compared to net revenues of $691 million for the same period in 2013.� For the three months ended September�30, 2014, Activision Blizzard had a loss per diluted share of $(0.03), as compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.05 for the same period in 2013.

�

For the nine months ended September�30, 2014, Activision Blizzard had net revenues of $2.8 billion, as compared to net revenues of $3.1 billion for the same period in 2013, and earnings per diluted share were $0.64, as compared to earnings per diluted share of $0.73 for the same period in 2013.

�

As a result of the Purchase Transaction, we reduced our common shares outstanding by approximately 429 million shares, which has resulted in a lower weighted-average share count since the transaction closed on October�11, 2013. Additionally, for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, interest expense of $150 million and associated tax benefits of $54 million were�included in our consolidated net income, partially offsetting the earnings per share benefits from the reduction in our share count.� For details of our debt arrangements, our interest expense, and cash paid for interest, refer to Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements included in Item 1, and Interest and Other Investment Income(Expense), Net, and Liquidity and Capital Resources in Management�s Discussion and Analysis of Financial Condition and Results of Operations in Item 2, of this Quarterly Report on Form�10-Q.

�

Table of Contents

�

According to The NPD Group with respect to North America, GfK Chart-Track with respect to Europe, and Activision Blizzard internal estimates:

�

�� For the third quarter of 2014, Activision�s Destiny was the largest new franchise launch in videogame history and ranks among the top 10 largest videogame launches of all time in the U.S.

�

�� In North America and Europe combined, for the first nine months of 2014, Activision�s�Skylanders SWAP Force�, including toys and accessories, was the #4 best-selling console and handheld game overall in dollars, and in North America and Europe, Skylanders toys outsold the #1 action figure line.

�

�� In North America and Europe combined, for the third quarter of 2014, Blizzard�s Diablo III: Reaper of Souls� - Ultimate Evil Edition� was the #4 best-selling console title, and for the first nine months of 2014, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls remained the #2 PC game in dollars.

�

Activision Blizzard Recent and Upcoming Product Releases

�

We have recently released the following titles and games, among other titles:

�

�� On July�22, 2014, Blizzard released Curse of Naxxramas�: A Hearthstone Adventure.

�

�� On August�5, 2014, Activision released the fourth digital downloadable content pack for Call of Duty: Ghosts, Call of Duty: Ghosts Nemesis on the Xbox One and Xbox 360 and on other platforms on September�4, 2014.

�

�� On August�19, 2014, Blizzard released Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition for the PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Xbox 360.

�

�� On September�9, 2014, Activision released Destiny on the PS4, PS3, Xbox One and Xbox 360.

�

On October�5, 2014, Activision released Skylanders Trap Team, the latest installment in the Skylanders franchise.� On November�4, 2014, Activision released Call of Duty: Advanced Warfare, which brings a new vision to the Call of Duty franchise.

�

On November�13, 2014, Blizzard expects to release World of Warcraft: Warlords of DraenorTM, the newest expansion in the epic franchise.� In the first quarter of 2014, Blizzard began accepting pre-purchases for World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor, which includes a character level 90 boost and value-added services, both of which are available immediately upon purchase.

�

Share Repurchase and Related Debt Financing

�

On October�11, 2013, we repurchased approximately 429 million shares of our common stock, pursuant to a stock purchase agreement (the �Stock Purchase Agreement�) we entered into on July�25, 2013, with Vivendi and ASAC II LP (�ASAC�), an exempted limited partnership established under the laws of the Cayman Islands, acting by its general partner, ASAC II LLC. Pursuant to the terms of the Stock Purchase Agreement, we acquired all of the capital stock of Amber Holding Subsidiary Co., a Delaware corporation and wholly-owned subsidiary of Vivendi (�New VH�), which was the direct owner of approximately 429 million shares of our common stock, for a cash payment of $5.83 billion, or $13.60 per share, before taking into account the benefit to the Company of certain tax attributes of New VH assumed in the transaction (collectively, the �Purchase Transaction�). The Purchase Transaction was funded with a combination of $1.2 billion of cash on hand, the net proceeds from a $2.5 billion secured term loan facility, maturing in October�2020 (the �Term Loan�), and the net proceeds from the issuance of $1.5 billion of 5.625% unsecured senior notes due September�2021 (the �2021 Notes�) and $750 million of 6.125% unsecured senior notes due September�2023 (the �2023 Notes� and, together with the 2021 Notes, the �Notes�). The repurchased shares were recorded in �Treasury Stock� in our condensed consolidated balance sheets.� For further details of our debt financing, refer to �Liquidity and Capital Resources� below, and Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

�

Table of Contents

�

Immediately following the completion of the Purchase Transaction, Vivendi sold ASAC 172 million shares of Activision Blizzard common stock, pursuant to the Stock Purchase Agreement, for a cash payment of $2.34 billion, or $13.60 per share (the �Private Sale�).� Robert A. Kotick, our Chief Executive Officer, and Brian G. Kelly, Chairman of our Board of Directors, are affiliates of ASAC II LLC.

�

As of September�30, 2014, we had approximately 719 million shares of our common stock issued and outstanding. As a result of the Purchase Transaction, the Private Sale, and Vivendi�s sale of our common stock in May�2014, Vivendi held approximately 6%, ASAC held approximately 24% and our other stockholders held approximately 70% of our common stock.

�

Management�s Overview of Business Trends

�

Console Platform Transition

�

In November�2013, Sony released the PS4 and Microsoft released the Xbox One, their respective next-generation game consoles and entertainment systems. According to The NPD Group and GfK Chart-Track in North America and Europe, as of September�30, 2014, the combined installed base of PS4 and Xbox One hardware was approximately 15�million units, and the combined installed base of PS3 and Xbox 360 hardware was approximately 121 million units.

�

When new console platforms are announced or introduced into the market, consumers may reduce their purchases of game console software products for current-generation console platforms in anticipation of new platforms becoming available. During these periods, sales of the game console software products we publish may slow or even decline until new platforms are introduced and achieve wide consumer acceptance.

�

During platform transitions, we simultaneously incur costs to develop and market new titles for current-generation video game platforms, which may not sell at premium prices, and to develop and market products for next-generation platforms, which may have a smaller installed base until the next-generation platforms achieve wide consumer acceptance.� We continually monitor console hardware sales and manage our product delivery on each of the current- and next-generation platforms in a manner we believe to be most effective to maximize our revenue opportunities and achieve the desired return on our investments in product development. In the long term, we expect the next-generation consoles to drive industry growth and expand our opportunities.

�

Conditions in the Retail Distribution Channels

�

Conditions in the retail distribution channels of the video games industry continued to be challenging during the first nine months of 2014.� In North America and Europe, retail sales of video games declined by 23%, as compared to the same period in 2013, according to The NPD Group and GfK Chart-Track.� The decline is due to the release of a top title by a competitor in the third quarter of 2013, while there were no comparable title releases in the first nine months of 2014.� In addition, the continued shift of video game purchases to the digital distribution channels has impacted retail console software sales during the nine months ended September�30, 2014.

�

Further, while the new console cycle has started strongly and demand for next-generation games was higher than expected, the demand for current-generation games declined at a faster pace than the growth of sales for next-generation titles, resulting in the overall decline in sales in the retail distribution channels. According to The NPD Group and GfK Chart-Track, retail sales from current-generation platform games declined by 56% for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013. However, the increase in digitally distributed games, including full-game downloads, add-on content, and free-to-play games, has partially offset the negative trends in the retail distribution channels.

�

Digital Online Channel Revenues

�

We provide our products through both retail and digital distribution channels. Many of our video games that are available through retailers as physical �boxed� software products are also available digitally (from our websites and from websites and digital distribution channels owned by third parties).� In addition, we offer players digital downloadable content as add-ons to our products (e.g., new multi-player content packs), generally for a one-time fee. We also offer subscription-based services for World of Warcraft and other value-added services for other Blizzard franchises, such as Diablo, StarCraft and Hearthstone, which are digitally delivered and hosted by Battle.net.� We have further plans to introduce games, based on some of our most successful franchises, which operate online on a free-to-play model with microtransactions, including Blizzard�s Heroes of the Storm, and Activision�s Call of Duty Online.

�

Table of Contents

�

We currently define sales via digital online channels as revenues from subscriptions, licensing royalties, value-added services, downloadable content, and digitally distributed products. This definition may differ from that used by our competitors or other companies.

�

According to Activision Blizzard internal estimates, digital gaming revenues for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 increased by approximately 28% as compared to the same period in 2013.�� The primary drivers of the increase in digital gaming revenues were increases in consumer purchases of full games via digital channels and an increase in mobile gaming revenues.� �Digital revenues are an important part of our business, and we continue to focus on and develop products, such as downloadable content, that can be delivered via digital online channels.� The amount of our digital revenues in any period may fluctuate depending, in part, on the timing and nature of our specific product releases.� Our sales of digital downloadable content are driven in part by sales of, and engagement by players in, our retail products.� As such, lower revenues in our retail distribution channels in the current year may impact our digital online channels revenues in the subsequent year.

�

For the three months ended September�30, 2014, revenues through digital online channels increased by $95 million, as compared to the same period in 2013, and represented 67% of our total consolidated net revenues, as compared to 59% for the same period in 2013. On a non-GAAP basis (which excludes the impact of deferred revenues), revenues through digital online channels for the three months ended September�30, 2014 increased by $106 million, as compared to the same period in 2013, and represented 43% of our total non-GAAP net revenues, as compared to 61% for the same period in 2013.

�

For the nine months ended September�30, 2014, revenues through digital online channels increased by $184 million, as compared to the same period in 2013, and represented 48% of our total consolidated net revenues, as compared to 38% for the same period in 2013. On a non-GAAP basis (which excludes the impact of deferred revenues), revenues through digital online channels for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 increased by $301 million, as compared to the same period in 2013, and represented 58% of our total non-GAAP net revenues, as compared to 59% for the same period in 2013.

�

Please refer to the reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP financial measures later in this document for further discussions of retail and digital online channels.

�

Table of Contents

�

Consolidated Statements of Operations Data

�

The following table sets forth consolidated statements of operations data for the periods indicated in dollars and as a percentage of total net revenues (amounts in millions):

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

2014

�

2013

�

2014

�

2013

�

Net revenues:

�

Product sales

�

337

�

332

�

1,693

�

2,049

�

Subscription, licensing, and other revenues

�

416

�

359

�

1,140

�

1,016

�

Total net revenues

�

753

�

100

�

691

�

100

�

2,833

�

100

�

3,065

�

100

�

Costs and expenses:

�

Cost of sales � product costs

�

156

�

111

�

568

�

551

�

Cost of sales � online

�

170

�

154

�

Cost of sales � software royalties and amortization

�

136

�

116

�

Cost of sales � intellectual property licenses

�

Product development

�

131

�

140

�

387

�

387

�

Sales and marketing

�

221

�

144

�

465

�

367

�

General and administrative

�

140

�

162

�

342

�

347

�

Total costs and expenses

�

745

�

621

�

2,088

�

1,978

�

Operating income

�

745

�

1,087

�

Interest and other investment income (expense), net

�

(51

)

(152

)

�

Income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

�

(43

)

�

593

�

1,086

�

Income tax expense (benefit)

�

(20

)

�

119

�

249

�

Net income (loss)

�

(23

)

�

474

�

837

�

Operating Segment Results

�

The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of the impact of the change in deferred revenues and related cost of sales with respect to certain of our online-enabled games, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting, and fees and other expenses (including legal fees, costs, expenses and accruals) related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings. The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis, and accordingly, no disclosure is made with respect thereto.� Information on the operating segments and reconciliations of total net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues from external customers and consolidated income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit) for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013 are presented in the table below (amounts in millions):

�

Table of Contents

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Increase/

�

Increase/

�

2014

�

2013

�

(Decrease)

�

2014

�

2013

�

(Decrease)

�

Segment net revenues:

�

Activision

�

704

�

319

�

385

�

1,193

�

1,090

�

103

�

Blizzard

�

388

�

282

�

106

�

1,189

�

837

�

352

�

Distribution

�

218

�

143

�

Operating segment net revenues total

�

1,170

�

657

�

513

�

2,600

�

2,070

�

530

�

Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues:

�

Net effect from deferral of net revenues

�

(417

)

�

233

�

995

�

Consolidated net revenues

�

753

�

691

�

2,833

�

3,065

�

Segment income (loss) from operations:

�

Activision

�

214

�

(148

)

Blizzard

�

164

�

548

�

282

�

266

�

Distribution

�

)

�

)

�

Operating segment income from operations total

�

260

�

128

�

132

�

613

�

495

�

118

�

Reconciliation to consolidated operating income and consolidated income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit):

�

Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales

�

(180

)

�

260

�

738

�

Stock-based compensation expense

�

(22

)

(25

)

�

(76

)

(76

)

�

Amortization of intangible assets

�

)

�

)

�

Fees and other expenses related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings

�

(48

)

(62

)

�

(48

)

(62

)

�

Consolidated operating income

�

745

�

1,087

�

Interest and other investment income (expense), net

�

(51

)

�

(152

)

�

Consolidated income (loss) before income tax expense (benefit)

�

(43

)

�

593

�

1,086

�

Segment Net Revenues

�

Activision

�

Activision�s net revenues increased for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily due to higher revenues from the release of Destiny in September�2014, partially offset by lower revenues from the Call of Duty and Skylanders franchises.

�

Blizzard

�

Blizzard�s net revenues increased for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily due to revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft on both the PC and iPad, Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014 on the PC and released in August�2014 on consoles, and the paid character boost and other value-added services from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor, which were available immediately upon pre-purchase of the game, as well as standalone purchases of the paid character boosts, as compared to revenues in the prior year from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm�, which was released in March�2013, and from Diablo III on consoles, which was released in September�2013.

�

At September�30, 2014, the global subscriber* base for World of Warcraft was approximately 7.4 million, compared to approximately 6.8 million at June�30, 2014, and approximately 7.6 million subscribers at September�30, 2013.� The increase versus June�30, 2014 was proportional to the mix of subscribers in the East and the West, while the decline versus September�30, 2013 reflects a decrease in subscribers in the East partially offset by an increase in subscribers in the West (where the �East� includes China, Taiwan, and South Korea, and the �West� includes North America, Europe, Australia, and Latin America).� In general, the average revenue per subscriber is lower in the East than in the West.� With the upcoming release of World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor, the newest expansion pack, Blizzard expects to continue delivering new game content in all regions that is intended to further appeal to the gaming community.

�

* World of Warcraft subscribers include individuals who have paid a subscription fee or have an active prepaid card to play World of Warcraft, as well as those who have purchased the game and are within their free month of access. Internet Game Room�players who have accessed the game over the last thirty days are also counted as subscribers. The above definition excludes all players under free promotional subscriptions, expired or cancelled subscriptions, and expired prepaid cards. Subscribers in licensees� territories are defined along the same rules.

�

Table of Contents

�

Distribution

�

Distribution�s net revenues increased for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily due to revenues from the distribution of the recently introduced next-generation console hardware.

�

Segment Income from Operations

�

Activision

�

For the three months ended September�30, 2014, Activision�s operating income increased, as compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to higher revenues, as described above, partially offset by relatively higher cost of sales � software royalties and amortization, and higher sales and marketing activities from the release of Destiny.

�

For the nine months ended September�30, 2014, Activision�s operating income decreased, as compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to lower revenues and operating income from the Call of Duty and Skylanders franchises, partially offset by higher revenues and operating income from the release of Destiny, which has relatively higher cost of sales � software royalties and amortization, and higher sales and marketing activities in the current year.

�

Blizzard

�

For the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, Blizzard�s operating income increased, as compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily due to higher revenues, as described above, partially offset by higher cost of sales � product costs and higher product development costs to support new products.

�

Non-GAAP Financial Measures

�

The analysis of revenues by distribution channel is presented both on a GAAP (including the impact from the change in deferred revenues) and non-GAAP (excluding the impact from the change in deferred revenues) basis. We use this non-GAAP measure internally when evaluating our operating performance, when planning, forecasting and analyzing future periods, and when assessing the performance of our management team.� We believe this is appropriate because this non-GAAP measure enables an analysis of performance based on the timing of actual transactions with our customers, which is consistent with the way the Company is measured by investment analysts and industry data sources, and facilitates comparison of operating performance between periods. In addition, excluding the impact from the change in deferred net revenue provides a much more timely indication of trends in our sales and other operating results. While we believe that this non-GAAP measure is useful in evaluating our business, this information should be considered as supplemental in nature and is not meant to be considered in isolation from, as a substitute for, or as more important than, the related financial information prepared in accordance with GAAP. In addition, this non-GAAP financial measure may not be the same as any non-GAAP measure presented by another company.� This non-GAAP financial measure has limitations in that it does not reflect all of the items associated with our GAAP revenues.� We compensate for the limitations resulting from the exclusion of the change in deferred revenues by considering the impact of that item separately and by considering our GAAP, as well as non-GAAP, revenues.

�

The following table provides a reconciliation between GAAP and non-GAAP net revenues by distribution channel for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in millions):

�

Table of Contents

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Increase/

�

Increase/

�

2014

�

2013

�

(decrease)

�

2014

�

2013

�

(decrease)

�

GAAP net revenues by distribution channel

�

Retail channels

�

171

�

226

�

(55

)

1,257

�

1,748

�

(491

)

Digital online channels(1)

�

504

�

409

�

1,358

�

1,174

�

184

�

Total Activision and Blizzard

�

675

�

635

�

2,615

�

2,922

�

(307

)

�

Distribution

�

218

�

143

�

Total consolidated GAAP net revenues

�

753

�

691

�

2,833

�

3,065

�

(232

)

�

Change in deferred net revenues(2�)

�

Retail channels

�

416

�

(24

)

440

�

(388

)

(1,033

)

645

�

Digital online channels(1)

�

(10

)

�

155

�

117

�

Total changes in deferred net revenues

�

417

�

(34

)

451

�

(233

)

(995

)

762

�

Non-GAAP net revenues by distribution channel

�

Retail channels

�

587

�

202

�

385

�

869

�

715

�

154

�

Digital online channels(1)

�

505

�

399

�

106

�

1,513

�

1,212

�

301

�

Total Activision and Blizzard

�

1,092

�

601

�

491

�

2,382

�

1,927

�

455

�

Distribution

�

218

�

143

�

Total non-GAAP net revenues (3)

�

1,170

�

657

�

513

�

2,600

�

2,070

�

530

�

(1)�We define revenues from digital online channels as revenues from subscriptions, licensing royalties, value-added services, downloadable content, and digitally distributed products.

(2)�We have determined that some of our titles� online functionality represents an essential component of gameplay and as a result, represents a more-than-inconsequential separate deliverable.� As such, we recognize revenues attributed to these titles over the estimated service periods, which range from five months to less than one year.� In the table above, we present the amount of net revenues for each period as a result of this accounting treatment.

(3)�Total non-GAAP net revenues presented also represents our total operating segment net revenues.

�

The decrease in GAAP net revenues from retail channels for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to lower revenues from the Call of Duty and Skylanders franchises.� The decreases were partially offset by revenues from Destiny, which was released in September�2014, and revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition, which was released in August�2014.

�

The decrease in GAAP net revenues from retail channels for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to the lower performance of Call of Duty: Ghosts, as compared to Call of Duty: Black Ops II, lower revenues from the Skylanders franchise, lower revenues from Call of Duty catalog titles, lower revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013, and lower revenues from our value business, which released fewer titles in the nine months ended September�30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013.� The decreases were partially offset by the recognition of previously deferred revenues from Diablo III for the PS3 and the Xbox 360, which was released in September�2013, and revenues from Destiny, which was released in September�2014.

�

The increase in non-GAAP net revenues from retail channels for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to revenues from Destiny, which was released in September�2014.� The increase was partially offset by lower revenues from the Skylanders and Call of Duty franchises, and lower revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition, which was released in August�2014, as compared to Diablo III for the PS3 and the Xbox 360, which was released in September�2013.

�

The increase in non-GAAP net revenues from retail channels for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to revenues from Destiny, which was released in September�2014, and higher revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013.� The increases were partially offset by lower revenues from the Skylanders and Call of Duty franchises.

�

The increase in GAAP net revenues from digital online channels for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, which was released in March�2014, revenues from value-added services from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor and from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013. The increases were partially offset by lower revenues for the digital downloadable content for Call of Duty: Ghosts in the current year, as compared to digital downloadable content for Call of Duty: Black Ops II in 2013, lower subscription revenues and other value-added services from World of Warcraft, and lower revenues from Call of Duty catalog titles.

�

Table of Contents

�

The increase in GAAP net revenues from digital online channels for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, and higher revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013.� The increases were partially offset by lower recognition of deferred revenues from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria�, which was released in 2012.

�

The increase in non-GAAP net revenues from digital online channels for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, and digital revenues from Destiny, and revenues from value-added services from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor, partially offset by the lower performance of digital downloadable content for Call of Duty: Ghosts in the current year, as compared to digital downloadable content for Call of Duty: Black Ops II in 2013.

�

The increase in non-GAAP net revenues from digital online channels for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was primarily due to revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, higher revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to revenues in the prior year from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013, revenues from value-added services from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor, and digital revenues from Destiny, �partially offset by lower revenues from the Call of Duty franchise.

�

Consolidated Results

�

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, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in millions):

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Increase/

�

Increase/

�

2014

�

2013

�

(decrease)

�

2014

�

2013

�

(decrease)

�

Geographic region net revenues:

�

North America

�

350

�

344

�

1,384

�

1,643

�

(259

)

Europe

�

316

�

290

�

1,172

�

1,180

�

)

Asia Pacific

�

277

�

242

�

Consolidated net revenues

�

753

�

691

�

2,833

�

3,065

�

(232

)

�

The increase/(decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by geographic region for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013 was as follows (amounts in millions):

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Increase/

�

Increase/

�

2014

�

2013

�

(decrease)

�

2014

�

2013

�

(decrease)

�

Increase/(decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by geographic region:

�

North America

�

(274

)

�

(276

)

136

�

564

�

(428

)

Europe

�

(135

)

�

(159

)

102

�

355

�

(253

)

Asia Pacific

�

)

�

(16

)

�

(81

)

Total impact on consolidated net revenues

�

(417

)

�

(451

)

233

�

995

�

(762

)

�

As previously discussed, the increase in the Company�s net revenues for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was mainly due to revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, which was released in early 2014 with no comparable title in 2013, higher revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013, higher revenues from Destiny, which was released in September�2014, and revenues from the value-added services from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor. Additionally, in Europe, the increase was partially due to higher revenues from the Distribution segment. The increases in net revenues in all regions were partially offset by lower revenues from the Call of Duty and Skylanders franchises and lower recognition of previously deferred revenues from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, as compared to same period in 2013.

�

Table of Contents

�

The decrease in net revenues in North America and Europe for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was mainly due to lower revenues from our Call of Duty and Skylanders franchises and lower recognition of previously deferred revenues from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, which was released in September�2012.� These decreases in North America and Europe were partially offset by revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, recognition of previously deferred revenues from Diablo III for the PS3 and the Xbox 360, which was released in September�2013, revenues from Destiny and higher revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, as compared to revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm.� Additionally, in Europe, the decrease was partially offset by higher revenues from the Distribution segment.

�

Net revenues in Asia Pacific increased for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, mainly due to revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, higher revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013, and revenues from the value-added services from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor.� The increase was partially offset by lower recognition of deferred revenues from Call of Duty: Ghosts, which was released in November�2013, as compared to the recognition of deferred revenues from Call of Duty: Black Ops II, which was released in November�2012, lower revenues from the Skylanders franchise, and lower recognition of deferred revenues from Call of Duty catalog titles.

�

The decrease in deferred revenues recognized for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was due to the deferral of revenues from the launch of Destiny, which was released in September�2014.� This decrease is partially offset by higher recognition of previously deferred revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, as compared to recognition of previously deferred revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, in the same period in 2013, and lower deferral of revenues from digital downloadable content for Call of Duty: Ghosts, as compared to revenues from digital downloadable content for Call of Duty: Black Ops II.�� In Europe, decrease in deferred revenue recognized is also due to lower recognition of previously deferred revenues from Call of Duty catalog titles.

�

The decrease in deferred revenues recognized for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was due to the deferral of revenues from the launch of Destiny, which was released in September�2014, lower recognition of deferred revenues from Call of Duty catalog titles, revenues deferred from the value-added services from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor and from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, and lower recognition of revenues from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, as compared to the same period in 2013.�� These decreases were partially offset by the recognition of previously deferred revenues from Diablo III for the PS3 and the Xbox 360.� In Asia Pacific, deferred revenues recognized were also impacted by the high recognition of deferred revenues from Diablo III on the PC in 2013 from the strong release of Diablo III in 2012.

�

Foreign Exchange Impact

�

Changes in foreign exchange rates had a positive impact of $6�million and $51 million on Activision Blizzard�s net revenues for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2013.� The change is primarily due to the movement of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euro and British Pound.

�

Net Revenues by Platform

�

The following tables detail our net revenues by platform and as a percentage of total consolidated net revenues for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in millions):

�

Table of Contents

�

Three�Months

�

%�of�total(3)

�

Three�Months

�

%�of�total(3)

�

Ended
September�30,�2014

�

consolidated�net
revs.

�

Ended
September�30,�2013

�

consolidated�net
revs.

�

Increase/
(Decrease)

�

Platform net revenues:

�

Online (1)

�

205

�

205

�

165

�

Next-generation (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)

�

109

�

106

�

Current-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

�

161

�

293

�

(132

)

Total console

�

270

�

296

�

(26

)

�

Mobile and other (2)

�

(20

)

�

Total Activision Blizzard

�

675

�

635

�

Distribution

�

Total consolidated net revenues

�

753

�

100

691

�

100

�

Nine�Months�Ended

�

%�of�total(3)
consolidated�net

�

Nine�Months�Ended

�

%�of�total(3)
consolidated�net

�

Increase/

�

September�30,�2014

�

revs.

�

September�30,�2013

�

revs.

�

(Decrease)

�

Platform net revenues:

�

Online (1)

�

601

�

714

�

(113

)

�

447

�

274

�

173

�

Next-generation (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)

�

353

�

339

�

Current-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

�

1,049

�

1,620

�

(571

)

Total console

�

1,402

�

1,634

�

(232

)

�

Mobile and other (2)

�

165

�

300

�

(135

)

�

Total Activision Blizzard

�

2,615

�

2,922

�

(307

)

Distribution

�

218

�

143

�

Total consolidated net revenues

�

2,833

�

100

3,065

�

100

(232

)

�

The increase / (decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by platform for three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013 was as follows (amounts in millions):

�

Table of Contents

�

Three�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,

�

Increase/

�

Increase/

�

2014

�

2013

�

(Decrease)

�

2014

�

2013

�

(Decrease)

�

Increase/(decrease) in deferred revenues recognized by platform:

�

Online (1)

�

)

�

(28

)

(36

)

110

�

(146

)

�

(18

)

�

(85

)

�

Next-generation (PS4, Xbox One, Wii U)

�

(359

)

�

(361

)

(214

)

�

(224

)

Current-generation (PS3, Xbox 360, Wii)

�

(123

)

(30

)

(93

)

513

�

808

�

(295

)

Total console

�

(482

)

(28

)

(454

)

299

�

818

�

(519

)

�

Mobile and other (2)

�

(12

)

�

(12

)

�

Total impact on consolidated net revenues

�

(417

)

�

(451

)

233

�

995

�

(762

)

�

(1)�� Revenues from online consists of revenues from all World of Warcraft products, including subscriptions, boxed products, expansion packs, licensing royalties, and value-added services.

�

(2)�� Revenues from mobile and other includes revenues from handheld and mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game-related revenues, such as standalone sales of toys and accessories products from our Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories.

�

(3)�� The percentages of total are presented as calculated.� Therefore the sum of these percentages, as presented, may differ due to the impact of rounding.

�

Net revenues from online for the three months ended September�30, 2014 was comparable to the same period in 2013, with decreases in the recognition of previously deferred revenues from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria and subscription revenues being offset by increases in value-added services revenues from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor.� Net revenues from online decreased for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, due to lower recognition of previously deferred revenues from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, which was released in September�2012, and lower subscription and value-added services revenues from World of Warcraft.� The decreases were partially offset by revenues from value-added services from World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor.

�

Net revenues from PC increased for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, due to revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, which had no comparable title in the prior year and higher revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to revenues from the release of StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013.� For the nine months ended September�30, 2014, the increase was also offset by lower recognition of previously deferred revenues for Diablo III, which was released in May�2012, as compared to the same period in 2013.

�

Net revenues from next-generation consoles increased for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, as the PS4 and Xbox One were not introduced until the fourth quarter of 2013. Since their introduction, we have released the following titles on next-generation consoles: Call of Duty: Ghosts and Skylanders SWAP Force in the fourth quarter of 2013; The Amazing Spider-Man 2 and Transformers: Rise of the Dark Spark in the second quarter of 2014; and Diablo III: Reaper of Souls � Ultimate Evil Edition and Destiny in the third quarter of 2014.

�

Net revenues from current-generation consoles decreased for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to lower revenues from the Call of Duty franchise, partially offset by revenues from Destiny. Net revenues from current-generation consoles decreased for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily due to lower revenues from the Call of Duty franchise, lower revenues from our value business titles due to lower number of releases, partially offset by the recognition of previously deferred revenues from Diablo III for the PS3 and the Xbox 360, which was released in September�2013.

�

Net revenues from mobile and other decreased for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily due to lower revenues from the Skylanders franchise.

�

Table of Contents

�

The decrease in deferred revenues recognized for online for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was due to the deferral of value-added services revenues from pre-purchases for World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor, and lower revenues recognized from World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria, which was released in September�2012.

�

The increase in deferred revenues recognized for PC for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was due to the recognition of previously deferred revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft and higher recognition of deferred revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to revenues recognized from deferred revenues from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013.� The decrease in deferred revenues recognized for PC for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, was due to the deferral of revenues from Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft and the higher deferral of revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls, which was released in March�2014, as compared to revenues deferred from StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm, which was released in March�2013.

�

Additional revenues were deferred for next-generation consoles for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, as the PS4 and Xbox One were not introduced until the fourth quarter of 2013.

�

The decrease in deferred revenues recognized for current-generation consoles for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, was due to the deferral of revenues from the launch of Destiny, partially offset by lower deferral of� revenues from the Call of Duty franchise and lower deferral of revenues from Diablo III: Reaper of Souls � Ultimate Evil Edition, as compared to the deferral of revenues from Diablo III on PS3 and Xbox 360, in the same period in 2013.

�

Costs and Expenses

�

Cost of Sales

�

The following tables detail the components of cost of sales in dollars and as a percentage of total consolidated net revenues for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013 (amounts in millions):

�

Three�Months
Ended
September�30,

�

%�of
consolidated

�

Three�Months
Ended
September�30,

�

%�of
consolidated

�

Increase

�

2014

�

net�revs.

�

2013

�

net�revs.

�

(Decrease)

�

Product costs

�

156

�

111

�

Online

�

Software royalties and amortization

�

Intellectual property licenses

�

Nine�Months
Ended
September�30,

�

%�of
consolidated

�

Nine�Months
Ended
September�30,

�

%�of
consolidated

�

Increase

�

2014

�

net�revs.

�

2013

�

net�revs.

�

(Decrease)

�

Product costs

�

568

�

551

�

Online

�

170

�

154

�

Software royalties and amortization

�

136

�

116

�

Intellectual property licenses

�

(36

)

�

Overall, the increase in total cost of sales for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, reflecting the increase in consolidated net revenues. The increase is attributable to higher revenues from our Distribution segment, which has relatively higher cost of sales, higher inventory obsolescence, higher cost related to online revenues, and higher software amortization related to product releases during the quarter.

�

Table of Contents

�

While consolidated net revenues decreased for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, cost of sales increased for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2014.� The increase is mainly attributed to the factors described above, partially offset by the decreased cost of intellectual property licenses in 2014 due to the reduction in the number of titles released by our value business in 2014, which are normally based on licensed properties, and the write-down of intellectual property licenses in 2013, with no comparable write-downs in 2014.

�

Product Development (amounts in millions)

�

%�of

�

%�of

�

September�30,

�

consolidated

�

September�30,

�

consolidated

�

Increase

�

2014

�

net�revs.

�

2013

�

net�revs.

�

(Decrease)

�

Three Months Ended

�

131

�

140

�

)

Nine Months Ended

�

387

�

387

�

Product development costs decreased for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to the timing of capitalized product development costs based on the technological feasibility of our products and the timing of our releases.

�

Product development costs for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 were comparable to the same period in 2013.

�

Sales and Marketing (amounts in millions)

�

%�of

�

%�of

�

September�30,

�

consolidated

�

September�30,

�

consolidated

�

Increase

�

2014

�

net�revs.

�

2013

�

net�revs.

�

(Decrease)

�

Three Months Ended

�

221

�

144

�

Nine Months Ended

�

465

�

367

�

Sales and marketing expenses increased for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily driven by our new releases.

�

General and Administrative (amounts in millions)

�

%�of

�

%�of

�

September�30,

�

consolidated

�

September�30,

�

consolidated

�

Increase

�

2014

�

net�revs.

�

2013

�

net�revs.

�

(Decrease)

�

Three Months Ended

�

140

�

162

�

(22

)

Nine Months Ended

�

342

�

347

�

)

�

General and administrative expenses decreased for the three months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to the incurrence in the prior year of bankers� and professional fees related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings, partially offset by higher legal expenses (including legal fees, costs, expenses, and accruals) in the current year.

�

General and administrative expenses decreased for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same periods in 2013, primarily due to the incurrence in the prior year of bankers� and professional fees related to the Purchase Transaction and related debt financings, partially offset by higher bonus accruals, higher personnel costs, and higher legal expenses (including legal fees, costs, expenses, and accruals) in the current year.

�

Table of Contents

�

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

�

%�of

�

%�of

�

September�30,

�

consolidated

�

September�30,

�

consolidated

�

Increase

�

2014

�

net�revs.

�

2013

�

net�revs.

�

(Decrease)

�

Three Months Ended

�

(51

)

(47

)

Nine Months Ended

�

(152

)

�

(151

)

�

Interest and other investment income (expense), net was ($51) million and ($152) million for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, respectively, as compared to ($4) million and ($1) million in the same periods in 2013, primarily due to interest expense incurred for the Notes issued in September�2013 and the Term Loan entered into in October�2013 in connection with the Purchase Transaction.

�

Income Tax Expense (Benefit) (amounts in millions)

�

%�of

�

%�of

�

September�30,

�

Pretax

�

September�30,

�

Pretax

�

Increase

�

2014

�

income

�

2013

�

income

�

(Decrease)

�

Three Months Ended

�

(20

)

46.5

�

15.2

(30

)

Nine Months Ended

�

119

�

20.1

�

249

�

22.9

�

(130

)

�

The Company accounts for its provision for income taxes in accordance with ASC 740,�Income Taxes, which requires an estimate of the annual effective tax rate for the full year to be applied to the respective 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 differs from the statutory U.S. income tax rate due to the effect of state and local income taxes, tax rates in foreign jurisdictions and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate will change from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to, the geographical mix of our earnings, changes in projected results for various jurisdictions, changes in enacted tax legislation, including certain business tax credits, state and local income taxes, tax audit settlements, certain nondeductible expenses, and the interaction of various global tax strategies. 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 benefit of $20 million for the three months ended September�30, 2014 reflects an effective tax rate of 46.5%, which is higher than the effective tax rate of 15.2% for the three months ended September�30, 2013.� This increase is primarily due to the incremental tax benefit for the lower estimated effective annual tax rate resulting from an increase in the amount of foreign earnings taxed at relatively lower statutory rates, as compared to domestic earnings taxed at relatively higher statutory rates, partially offset by certain non-tax benefited costs incurred during the quarter.

�

Table of Contents

�

The Internal Revenue Service (�IRS�) is currently examining Activision Blizzard�s federal tax returns for the 2008 through 2011 tax years.� Additionally, the IRS is currently reviewing the Company�s application for an advanced pricing agreement (�APA�) with respect to the transfer pricing methodology used by the Company for tax years 2010 through 2016.�� If ongoing discussions with the IRS result in an APA, this could result in a different allocation of profits and losses under the Company�s transfer pricing agreements.� Such allocation could have a positive or negative impact on the Company�s provision for uncertain tax positions for the period in which such an agreement is reached and the relevant periods thereafter.

�

In addition, Vivendi Games� tax returns for the 2005 through 2008 tax years are under examination by the IRS. While Vivendi Games� results for the period January�1, 2008 through July�9, 2008 are included in the consolidated federal and certain foreign, state and local income tax returns filed by Vivendi or its affiliates, Vivendi Games� results for the period 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. Additionally, the Company has several state and non-U.S. audits pending. Although the final resolution of the Company�s global tax disputes is uncertain, based on current information, in the opinion of the Company�s management, the ultimate resolution of these matters are not expected to have� a material adverse effect on the Company�s consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations. However, an unfavorable resolution of the Company�s global tax disputes could have a material adverse effect on our business and results of operations in the period in which the matters are ultimately resolved.

�

Foreign Exchange Impact

�

Changes in foreign exchange rates had a negative impact of $1�million and a positive impact of $22�million on Activision Blizzard�s operating income for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014, respectively, as compared to the same periods in 2013. The change is primarily due to the movement of the U.S dollar relative to the Euro and British Pound.

�

Liquidity and Capital Resources

�

Sources of Liquidity (amounts in millions)

�

�	�	�		�	�		�	Increase		�
�	�	At�September�30,�2014		�	At�December�31,�2013		�	(Decrease)		�
Cash and cash equivalents	�	$	3,805	�	$	4,410	�	$	(605	)
Short-term investments	�	23		�	33		�	(10		)
�	�	$	3,828	�	$	4,443	�	$	(615	)
�	�	�		�	�		�	�		�
Percentage of total assets	�	28		%	32		%	�		�

�

Table of Contents

�

�	�	Nine�Months�Ended�September�30,								�
�	�	�		�	�		�	Increase		�
�	�	2014		�	2013		�	(Decrease)		�
�	�	�		�	�		�	�		�
Cash flows provided by operating activities	�	$	97	�	$	384	�	$	(287	)
Cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities	�	(80		)	191		�	(271		)
Cash flows used in financing activities	�	(374		)	(129		)	(245		)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes	�	(248		)	39		�	(287		)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents	�	$	(605	)	$	485	�	$	(1,090	)

�

Cash Flows Provided by Operating Activities

�

The primary drivers of cash flows provided by operating activities typically include the collection of customer receivables generated by the sale of our products and digital and subscription revenues, partially offset by payments to vendors for the manufacturing, distribution and marketing of our products, payments for customer service support for our subscribers, payments to third-party developers and intellectual property holders, payments for software development, payments for tax liabilities, and payments to our workforce.

�

Cash flows provided by operating activities decreased for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 as compared to the same period in 2013.� The decrease was primarily attributed to lower net income for the period and changes in our working capital accounts, including lower cash collection due to the timing of our title releases, higher investment in software development, and payment of interest.� Cash flows provided by operating activities for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 included approximately $150 million of interest paid for the Notes and Term Loan, as compared to $4 million for the same period in 2013.

�

Cash Flows Provided by (Used in) Investing Activities

�

The primary drivers of cash flows provided by (used in) investing activities typically include the net effect of purchases and sales/maturities of short-term investments, capital expenditures, and changes in restricted cash balances.

�

Cash flows used in investing activities were $80 million during the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to cash flows provided by investing activities of $191 million for the nine months ended September�30, 2013, primarily due to higher capital expenditures and lower proceeds from the maturity of short-term investments.� Cash flows related to investing activities reflected the receipt of $21 million in proceeds from the maturity of investments, the majority of which consisted of other government agency securities, and capital expenditures, primarily related to property and equipment, of $90 million.

�

Cash Flows Used in Financing Activities

�

The primary drivers of cash flows used in financing activities typically include the proceeds from, and repayments of, our long-term debt, transactions involving our common stock, such as the issuance of shares of common stock to employees, the repurchase of our common stock, and the payment of dividends.

�

Cash flows used in financing activities were higher during the nine months ended September�30, 2014, as compared to the same period in 2013, primarily due to the $375 million partial repayment of our Term Loan. We also paid $147 million in dividends and related dividend equivalents and $41 million for taxes in connection with the vesting of employees� restricted stock rights.� Cash flows from financing activities for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 reflected proceeds of $160 million from the issuance of shares of our common stock to employees in connection with stock option exercises.

�

Effect of Foreign Exchange Rate Changes

�

Changes in foreign exchange rates had a negative impact of $248 million and a positive impact of $39 million on our cash and cash equivalents for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, respectively.� The change is primarily due to changes in the value of the U.S. dollar relative to the Euro and British Pound.

�

Other Liquidity and Capital Resources

�

Our primary sources of liquidity are typically cash and cash equivalents, investments, and cash flows provided by operating activities. In addition, as described below, we have availability of $250 million, subject to certain restrictions, under a secured revolving credit facility.� With our cash and cash equivalents and short-term investments of $3.8 billion at September�30, 2014, and expected cash flows provided by operating activities, we believe that we have sufficient liquidity to meet daily operations in the foreseeable future. We also believe that we have sufficient working capital ($3.8�billion at September�30, 2014) to finance our operational and financing requirements for at least the next twelve months, including: purchases of inventory and equipment; the development, production, marketing and sale of new products; provision of customer service for our subscribers; acquisition of intellectual property rights for future products from third parties; funding of dividends; and interest payments related to debt obligations.

�

Table of Contents

�

The amount of cash and cash equivalents held outside of the U.S. by our foreign subsidiaries was $3.3 billion as of both September�30, 2014 and December�31, 2013. If these funds are needed in the future for our operations in the U.S., we would accrue and pay the required U.S. taxes 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.

�

Debt

�

On September�19, 2013, we issued, at par, $1.5 billion of 5.625% unsecured senior notes due September�2021 (the �2021 Notes�) and $750 million of 6.125% unsecured senior notes due September�2023 (the �2023 Notes� and, together with the 2021 Notes, the �Notes�).�� Interest on the Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March�15 and September�15 of each year, commencing on March�15, 2014.� As of September�30, 2014, the Notes had a carrying value of $2.2 billion.

�

We may redeem the 2021 Notes on or after September�15, 2016 and the 2023 Notes on or after September�15, 2018, in whole or in part on any one or more occasions, at specified redemption prices, plus accrued and unpaid interest. At any time prior to September�15, 2016, with respect to the 2021 Notes, and at any time prior to September�15, 2018, with respect to the 2023 Notes, we may also redeem some or all of the Notes by paying a �make-whole premium�, plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, upon the occurrence of one or more qualified equity offerings, we may also redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of each of the 2021 Notes and 2023 Notes outstanding with the net cash proceeds from such offerings. The Notes are repayable, in whole or in part and at the option of the holders, upon the occurrence of a change in control and a ratings downgrade, at a purchase price equal to 101% of principal, plus accrued and unpaid interest.

�

As of September�30, 2014, the outstanding balance of our Term Loan was $2.1 billion.� Borrowings under the Term Loan and Revolver bear interest at an annual rate equal to an applicable margin plus, at our option, (A)�a base rate determined by reference to the highest of (a)�the interest rate in effect determined by the administrative agent as its �prime rate,� (b)�the federal funds rate plus 0.5%, and (c)�the London InterBank Offered Rate (�LIBOR�) rate for an interest period of one month plus 1.00%, or (B)�LIBOR.�Further, LIBOR borrowings under the Term Loan will be subject to a LIBOR floor of 0.75%.� At September�30, 2014, the Term Loan bore interest at 3.25%. In certain circumstances, our interest rate under the Credit Facilities will increase.

�

Agreements governing our indebtedness, including the indenture governing the Notes and the Credit Agreement impose operating and financial restrictions on our activities under certain conditions. These restrictions require us to comply with or maintain certain financial tests and ratios. In addition, the indenture and the Credit Agreement limit or prohibit our ability to, among other things: incur additional debt or make additional guarantees; pay distributions or dividends and repurchase stock; make other restricted payments, including without limitation, certain restricted investments; create liens; enter into agreements that restrict dividends from subsidiaries; engage in transactions with affiliates; and enter into mergers, consolidations or sales of substantially all of our assets.

�

In addition, if, in the future, we borrow under the Revolver, as described in Note 7 of the Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements, we may be required, during certain periods where outstanding revolving loans exceed a certain threshold, to maintain a maximum senior secured net leverage ratio calculated pursuant to a financial maintenance covenant under the Credit Agreement.

�

The Company was in compliance with the terms of the Notes and Credit Facilities as of September�30, 2014.

�

Dividends

�

Table of Contents

�

Capital Expenditures

�

For the year ending December�31, 2014, we anticipate total capital expenditures of approximately $100�million, primarily for computer hardware and software purchases.� Through the first nine months of 2014, we made aggregate capital expenditures of $90 million.

�

Off-balance Sheet Arrangements

�

At September�30, 2014 and December�31, 2013, 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 of facilitating off-balance sheet arrangements or other contractually narrow or limited purposes, that have or are reasonably likely to have a material future effect on our financial condition, changes in financial condition, revenues or expenses, results of operation, liquidity, capital expenditures, or capital resources.

�

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�). 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 these estimates, judgments and assumptions 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 Returns, Price Protection, Doubtful Accounts, and Inventory Obsolescence

�� Software Development Costs and Intellectual Property Licenses

�� Income Taxes

�� Fair Value Estimates (including Assessment of Impairment of Assets)

�� Stock-Based Compensation

�

During the nine months ended September�30, 2014, 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 Operations contained in Part�II,�Item�7 of our Annual Report on Form�10-K for the year ended December�31, 2013, for a more complete discussion of our critical accounting policies and estimates.

�

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements

�

Accounting for cumulative translation adjustments

�

Presentation of unrecognized tax benefits

�

Table of Contents

�

Revenue recognition

�

Stock-based compensation

�

Going concern disclosures

�

In August�2014, the FASB issued authoritative guidance which requires management to evaluate whether there is substantial doubt about an entity�s ability to continue as a going concern and to provide related footnote disclosures in certain circumstances.� This update will be effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December�15, 2016.� Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our financial statements.

�

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, British pounds, Australian dollars, South Korean won and Swedish krona. To the extent the U.S. dollar strengthens against foreign currencies, the translation of these foreign currency-denominated transactions results in reduced revenues, operating expenses, and net income from our international operations. Similarly, our revenues, operating expenses and net income will increase for our international operations if the U.S. dollar weakens against foreign currencies. We monitor currency volatility throughout the year.

�

To mitigate our foreign currency risk resulting from our foreign currency-denominated monetary assets, liabilities, earnings or cash flows, we periodically enter into currency derivative contracts, principally forward contracts with maturities of generally less than one year.�� The counterparties for our currency derivative contracts are large and reputable commercial or investment banks. All foreign currency hedging transactions are backed, in amount and by maturity, by an identified underlying item.

�

In recent periods, foreign currency derivative contracts for monetary assets, liabilities and earnings are not designated as hedging instruments and foreign currency derivative contracts for cash flows are designated as cash flow hedges. We report the fair value of these contracts within �Other current assets� or �Other current liabilities� in our condensed consolidated balance sheets based on the prevailing exchange rates of the various hedged currencies as of the end of the relevant period. We do not hold or purchase any foreign currency forward contracts for trading or speculative purposes.

�

Table of Contents

�

Changes in the estimated fair value of derivatives not designated as hedging instruments are recorded within �General and administrative expense� or �Interest and other investment income (expense), net� in our condensed consolidated statements of operations, depending on the nature of the underlying transactions.

�

At September�30, 2014, we did not have any outstanding foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated as hedges.� At December�31, 2013, the gross notional amount of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts that are not designated as hedges was $34 million. The fair value of these foreign currency forward contracts was not material as of December�31, 2013. For the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and 2013, pre-tax net losses and gains associated with these forward contracts were not material.

�

In the absence of the hedging activities described above, for the nine months ended September�30, 2014, a hypothetical adverse foreign currency exchange rate movement of 10% would have resulted in potential declines of our net income of approximately $67�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 such 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 rate debt under the Credit Facilities.� We do not currently use derivative financial instruments to manage interest rate risk. As of September�30, 2014, a hypothetical change in the interest rate paid on our variable rate debt of one percent would change interest expense on an annual basis by approximately $21 million.� This estimate does not include the effects of other actions that we may take in the future to mitigate this risk or any changes in our financial structure.

�

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, 2014, our $3.8�billion of cash and cash equivalents was comprised primarily of money market funds. At September�30, 2014, our $23�million of short-term investments consists of restricted cash. We also had $9�million in auction rate securities at fair value classified as long-term investments at September�30, 2014. The Company has determined that, based on the composition of our investment portfolio as of September�30, 2014, there was no material interest rate risk exposure to the Company�s consolidated financial condition, results of operations or liquidity as of that date.

�

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 Exchange Act) are designed to reasonably ensure that information required to be disclosed in our reports filed under the Exchange Act is (i)�recorded, processed, summarized, and reported within the time periods specified in the SEC�s rules�and forms and (ii)�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.

�

Table of Contents

�

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, 2014, 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, 2014, 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)�recorded, processed, summarized, and reported on a timely basis, and (ii)�accumulated and communicated to 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.

�

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.

�

PART�II. Other Information

�

Item�1.� Legal Proceedings

�

Purchase Transaction Matters

�

Table of Contents

�

In addition, on August�14, 2013, we received a letter dated August�9, 2013 from a shareholder seeking, pursuant to Section�220 of the Delaware General Corporation Law, to inspect the books and records of the Company to ascertain whether the Purchase Transaction and Private Sale were in the best interests of the Company.� In response to that request, we provided the stockholder with certain materials under a confidentiality agreement. On September�11, 2013, a complaint was filed under seal by the same stockholder in the Court of Chancery of the State of Delaware in an action captioned Pacchia�v. Kotick�et�al., C.A.�No.�8884 VCL. A public version of that complaint was filed on September�16, 2013. The allegations in the complaint were substantially similar to the allegations in the above referenced matter filed on August�1, 2013.� On October�25, 2013, Pacchia filed an amended complaint under seal.� The amended complaint added claims on behalf of an alleged class of Activision stockholders other than the Company�s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, Vivendi, ASAC, investors in ASAC and other stockholders affiliated with the investors of ASAC.� The added class claims are against the Company�s Chief Executive Officer and Chairman, the Vivendi affiliated directors, the members of the special committee of the Board formed in connection with the Company�s consideration of the transactions with Vivendi and ASAC, and Vivendi for breach of fiduciary duty, as well as aiding and abetting a breach of fiduciary duty against ASAC.� The amended complaint removed the derivative claims for waste of corporate assets and disgorgement but continued to allege derivative claims for breach of fiduciary duties.� The amended complaint seeks, among other things, certification of a class, damages, reformation of the Private Sale, and disgorgement of any alleged profits received by the Company�s Chief Executive Officer, Chairman and ASAC.� On October�29, 2013, Pacchia filed a motion to consolidate the Pacchia case with the Hayes case described below.� On November�2, 2013, the Court of Chancery consolidated the Pacchia and Hayes cases and ordered the plaintiffs to file supplemental papers related to determining lead plaintiff and lead counsel no later than November�8, 2013.� On December�3, 2013, the court selected Pacchia as lead plaintiff.� Pacchia filed a second amended complaint on December�11, 2013 and Activision filed an answer on January�31, 2014.� Also on January�31, 2014, the special committee, ASAC, Messrs.�Kotick and Kelly, Vivendi and the Vivendi-affiliated directors each filed motions to dismiss certain claims in the second amended complaint. On February�21, 2014, Pacchia filed a third amended complaint under seal.� In response to Pacchia�s filing of a third amended complaint, the special committee, ASAC, Messrs.�Kotick and Kelly, Vivendi and the Vivendi-affiliated directors each filed motions to dismiss certain claims in the third amended complaint. On June�6, 2014, the Court of Chancery denied the defendants� motions to dismiss such claims, with the exception of a breach of contract claim. Subsequently, Pacchia filed a fourth amended complaint containing substantially all of his prior claims, but with the addition of new allegations gleaned from discovery in the matter.� ASAC filed a motion to dismiss the re-pleaded breach of contract claim and the other defendants filed answers in response to the fourth amended complaint.

�

Table of Contents

�

For the quarter ended September�30, 2014, we accrued a loss contingency in our consolidated financial statements in connection with this matter. The accrual relates to potential liabilities associated with legal fees, costs and expenses for services already received prior to the quarter�s end, where such fees, costs and expenses have not yet been paid at the quarter�s end, and the Company�s potential contribution toward the potential settlement of the matter.� Although the Company has D&O insurance in connection with the consolidated litigation in a total amount up to $200 million, various insurers have raised arguments that they believe give them the right to deny coverage for a portion of these fees, costs and expenses, as well as for all or a portion of the ultimate liability which may occur in settlement or at trial.� Under our Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation and certain agreements with members of our Board of Directors, the Company has indemnification obligations to the director defendants to advance fees, costs and expenses and to pay liabilities which arise in connection with their service to the Company, in each case, to the maximum extent permitted by Delaware law. �In light of these indemnification obligations and the positions currently taken by the parties and the various insurers, we determined that a liability is probable and estimable, and accordingly, an accrual was required.� Due to the inherent uncertainties of litigation, other potential outcomes are reasonably possible, including outcomes which are above the amount of the accrual. The Company believes the possibility that this lawsuit will have a material impact on the Company�s business, financial condition, results of operation or liquidity is remote. However, if this assessment is incorrect, then an unfavorable resolution of this lawsuit above the amount of the accrual could have a material adverse effect on the Company�s business, financial condition, results of operation or liquidity, particularly in the period in which any additional potential liabilities may be recognized.

�

Table of Contents

�

Other Matters

�

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, 2013.

�

Item 6.� Exhibits

�

The exhibits listed on the accompanying Exhibit�Index are hereby incorporated by reference into this Quarterly Report on Form�10-Q.

�

Table of 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�4, 2014

�

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC.

�

/s/ DENNIS DURKIN	�	/s/ STEPHEN WEREB
Dennis Durkin	�	Stephen Wereb
Chief Financial Officer and	�	Chief Accounting Officer and
Principal Financial Officer of	�	Principal Accounting Officer of
Activision Blizzard,�Inc.	�	Activision Blizzard,�Inc.

�

Table of Contents

�

EXHIBIT�INDEX

�

Exhibit�Number		�	Exhibit
�	�	�	�
3	.1	�	Third Amended and Restated Certificate of Incorporation of Activision Blizzard,�Inc., dated June�5, 2014 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit�3.1 of the Company�s Form�8-K, filed July�6, 2014).
�	�	�	�
3	.2	�	Second Amended and Restated Bylaws of the Company, adopted as of October�11, 2013 (incorporated by reference to Exhibit�3.1 of the Company�s Form�8-K, filed October�18, 2013).
�	�	�	�
10	.1*	�	Form�of Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for grants to persons other than non-affiliated directors pursuant to the Activision Blizzard,�Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan.
�	�	�	�
10	.2*	�	Form�of Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for grants to non-affiliated directors pursuant to the Activision Blizzard,�Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan.
�	�	�	�
10	.3*	�	Form�of Notice of Performance-Vesting Restricted Share Unit Award for grants pursuant to the Activision Blizzard,�Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan.
�	�	�	�
31	.1	�	Certification of Robert A. Kotick pursuant to Rule�13a-14(a)�under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section�302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
�	�	�	�
31	.2	�	Certification of Dennis Durkin pursuant to Rule�13a-14(a)�under the Securities and Exchange Act of 1934, as adopted pursuant to Section�302 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
�	�	�	�
32	.1	�	Certification of Robert A. Kotick pursuant to Section�906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
�	�	�	�
32	.2	�	Certification of Dennis Durkin pursuant to Section�906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002.
�	�	�	�
101	.INS	�	XBRL Instance Document.
�	�	�	�
101	.SCH	�	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Schema Document.
�	�	�	�
101	.CAL	�	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Calculation Linkbase Document.
�	�	�	�
101	.LAB	�	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Labels Linkbase Document.
�	�	�	�
101	.PRE	�	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Presentation Linkbase Document.
�	�	�	�
101	.DEF	�	XBRL Taxonomy Extension Definition Linkbase Document.

�

*�� Indicates a management contract or compensatory plan, contract or arrangement in which a director or executive officer 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, 2014 and December�31, 2013, (ii)�Condensed Consolidated Statements of Operations for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and September�30, 2013, (iii)�Condensed Consolidated Statements of Comprehensive Income (Loss) for the three and nine months ended September�30, 2014 and September�30, 2013, (iv)�Condensed Consolidated Statements of Cash Flows for the nine months ended September�30, 2014 and September�30, 2013; (v)�Condensed Consolidated Statement of Changes in Shareholders� Equity for the nine months ended September�30, 2014; and (vi)�Notes to Condensed Consolidated Financial Statements.

�

Exhibit 10.1

�

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC.

�

2014 INCENTIVE PLAN

�

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD

�

You have been awarded Restricted Share Units of Activision Blizzard,�Inc. (the �Company�), as follows:

�

�	Your name:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Total number of Restricted Share Units awarded:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Date of Grant:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Grant ID:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Your Award of Restricted Share Units is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:		�
�	�		�
�	�	this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award;
�	�	�
�	�	the Restricted Share Unit Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit�A (the �Award Terms�); and
�	�	�
�	�	the Company�s 2014 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.
�	�
�	[Your Award of Restricted Share Units has been made in connection with your employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries as a material inducement to your entering into or renewing employment with such entity pursuant to such agreement, and is also governed by any applicable terms and conditions set forth in such agreement.]
�	�
�	Schedule for Vesting(1):
�	�
�	[Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest in full on [third anniversary of vesting commencement date], provided you remain continuously employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries through such date.]
�	�
�	[OR]
�	�
�	[Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest as follows, provided you remain continuously employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries through the applicable vesting date:

�

(1)� Revise as needed to reflect the vesting terms of the grant (e.g., any relevant performance conditions).

�

Schedule for Vesting

�

Date of Vesting	�	No. of Restricted Share Units Vesting at Vesting Date	�	Cumulative No. of Restricted Share Units Vested at Vesting Date	�
�	�	�	�	�	�
First anniversary of [�� ]	�	[��]	�	[��]	�
Second anniversary of [�� ]	�	[��]	�	[��]	�
Third anniversary of [�� ]	�	[��]	�	[��]	�
Fourth anniversary [�� ]	�	[��]	�	[��]	�
Fifth anniversary [�� ]	�	[��]	�	[��]	�

�

�	*Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.� You are urged to do so promptly.*
�	�
�	*Please return the signed Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to the Company at:*

�

�	Activision Blizzard,�Inc. 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard Santa Monica, CA� 90405 Attn:� Stock Plan Administration

�

�	*By accepting the Award, you are deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the 2014 Incentive Plan,* *this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award* *and the Award Terms.*

�

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for your records.

�

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

�

�		�	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC.
�		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	Humam Sakhnini
�		�	Chief Strategy�& Talent Officer
�		�	�
�		�	Date:	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
[Name of Grantee]		�	�
�		�	�
Date:	�	�	�

�

EXHIBIT A

�

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

�

2014 INCENTIVE PLAN

�

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD TERMS

�

1.�� Definitions.

�

(a)�� For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

�

�Award� means the award described on the Grant Notice.

�

�Cause� (i) shall have the meaning given to such term in any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time of the determination or (ii) if Grantee is not then party to any agreement or offer letter with any entity in the Company Group or any such agreement or offer letter does not contain a definition of �cause,� shall mean a good faith determination by the Company that Grantee (A) engaged in misconduct or gross negligence in the performance of his or her duties or willfully and continuously failed or refused to perform any duties reasonably requested in the course of his or her employment; (B) engaged in fraud, dishonesty, or any other conduct that causes, or has the potential to cause, harm to any entity in the Company Group, including its business reputation or financial condition; (C) violated any lawful directives or policies of the Company Group or any applicable laws, rules or regulations; (D) materially breached his or her employment agreement, proprietary information agreement or confidentiality agreement with any entity in the Company Group; (E) was convicted of, or pled guilty or no contest to, a felony or crime involving dishonesty or moral turpitude; or (F) breached his or her fiduciary duties to the Company Group.

�

�Common Shares� means the shares of common stock, par value $0.000001 per share, of the Company or any security into which such Common Shares may be changed by reason of any transaction or event of the type referred to in Section 10 hereof.

�

�Company� means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

�

�Company Group� means the Company and its subsidiaries.

�

�Company-Sponsored Equity Account� means an account that is created with the Equity Account Administrator in connection with the administration of the Company�s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

�

�Date of Grant� means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

�

�Employment Violation� means any material breach by Grantee of his or her employment agreement with any entity in the Company Group for so long as the terms of such employment agreement shall apply to Grantee (with any breach of the post-termination obligations contained therein deemed to be material for purposes of this definition).

�

�Equity Account Administrator� means the brokerage firm utilized by the Company from time to time to create and administer accounts for participants in the Company�s equity plans and programs, including the Plan.

�

�Exercise Rules and Regulations� means (i) the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws, (ii) the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which Common Shares are then traded or quoted, (iii) any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company�s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (iv) any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.

�

�Grantee� means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

�

�Grant Notice� means the Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

�

�Look-back Period� means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the period beginning on the date which is 12 months prior to the date of such Employment Violation by Grantee and ending on the date of computation of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation.

�

�Plan� means the Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

�

�Recapture Amount� means, with respect to any Employment Violation by Grantee, the gross gain realized or unrealized by Grantee upon all vesting of Restricted Share Units or delivery or transfer of Vested Shares during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation, which gain shall be calculated as the sum of:

�

(i)�� if Grantee has received Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and sold any such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the sum of the sales price for all such Vested Shares; plus

�

(ii)�� if Grantee has received Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and not sold all such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the product of (A) the greatest of the following: (1)�the Market Value per Share of Common Shares on the date such Vested Shares were issued or transferred to Grantee, (2)�the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of the Company�s written notice of its exercise of its rights under Section 13 hereof, or (3)�the arithmetic average of the per share closing sales prices of Common Shares as reported on NASDAQ

�

A-2

�

for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of computation, times (B)�the number of such Vested Shares which were not sold.

�

�Restricted Share Units� means units subject to the Award, which represent the conditional right to receive Common Shares in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, unless and until such units become vested or are forfeited to the Company in accordance with the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

�

�Section 409A� means Section�409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

�

�Securities Act� means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

�

��Vested Shares� means the Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units becomes entitled upon vesting thereof in accordance with Section�2 or 3 hereof.

�

�Withholding Taxes� means any taxes, including, but not limited to, social security and Medicare taxes and federal, state and local income taxes, required under any applicable law to be withheld from amounts otherwise payable to Grantee.

�

(b)�� Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

�

2.�� Vesting.� Except as otherwise set forth in these Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units shall vest in accordance with the �Schedule for Vesting� set forth on the Grant Notice.� Each Restricted Share Unit, upon vesting thereof, shall entitle the holder thereof to receive one Common Share (subject to adjustment pursuant to Section�10 hereof).

�

3.�� Termination of Employment.

�

(a)�� Cause.� In the event that Grantee�s employment is terminated by any entity in the Company Group for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and any outstanding Restricted Share Units and Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 8 hereof shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

�

(b)�� Other.� Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee�s employment is terminated for any reason other than for Cause, as of the date of such termination of employment all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and, with the exception of any Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section 8 hereof, shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

�

A-3

�

any of the following:� (a) by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b) through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, that the Company withhold Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Withholding Taxes (valued in the same manner used in computing the amount of such Withholding Taxes); (c) if securities of the Company of the same class as the Vested Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market, Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers, Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company�s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the Grantee) to sell some or all of the Vested Shares and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes; or (d)�by any combination of (a), (b) and (c) above.� Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any entity in the Company Group shall have the right to ensure that all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section 4 are satisfied by (i) withholding from Grantee�s compensation, (ii) withholding Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable (in which case Grantee will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Vested Shares), and (iii) arranging for the sale, on Grantee�s behalf, of Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable.� The Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Vested Shares unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section�4 have been satisfied.

�

5.�� Deemed Agreement.� By accepting the Award, Grantee is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

�

6.�� Reservation of Shares.� The Company shall at all times reserve for issuance or delivery upon vesting of the Restricted Share Units such number of Common Shares as shall be required for issuance or delivery upon vesting thereof.

�

7.�� Dividend Equivalents.� The holder of the Restricted Share Units shall not be entitled to receive any payment, payment-in-kind or any equivalent with regard to any cash or other dividends that are declared and paid on Common Shares.

�

8.�� Receipt and Delivery.� As soon as administratively practicable (and, in any event, within 30 days) after any Restricted Share Units vest, the Company shall (a)�effect the issuance or transfer of the resulting Vested Shares, (b)�cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to be evidenced on the books and records of the Company, and (c)�cause such Vested Shares to be delivered to a Company-Sponsored Equity Account in the name of the person entitled to such Vested Shares (or, with the Company�s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Vested Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section 16 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Vested Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

�

9.�� Committee Discretion.� Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a) interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b) make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c) waive any conditions or rights of the Company

�

A-4

�

under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.� Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.� Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of Grantee taken as a whole without Grantee�s consent.� Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i) in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section 10 hereof) affecting any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company�s other affiliates or the financial statements of any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company�s other affiliates, (ii) in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii) to prevent the Award from becoming subject to any adverse consequences under Section 409A.

�

10.�� Adjustments.� Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section 12 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantee that otherwise would result from (a) any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b) any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c) any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.� Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

�

11.�� Registration and Listing.� Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, the Company shall not be obligated to issue or transfer any Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, and no Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares may be sold, assigned, transferred, pledged, hypothecated or otherwise disposed of or encumbered in any way, unless such transaction is in compliance with all Exercise Rules and Regulations.� The Company is under no obligation to register, qualify or list, or maintain the registration, qualification or listing of, Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares with the SEC, any state securities commission or any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system to effect such compliance.� Grantee shall make such representations and furnish such information as may be appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act relating to Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, to issue or transfer Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.� The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or transfer of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares or resale of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares under the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

�

A-5

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12.�� Transferability.� Subject to the terms of the Plan and only with the Company�s consent, Grantee may transfer Restricted Share Units for estate planning purposes or pursuant to a domestic relations order; provided, however, that any transferee shall be bound by all of the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms and shall execute an agreement in form and substance satisfactory to the Company in connection with such transfer; and provided, further that Grantee will remain bound by the terms and conditions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.� Except as otherwise permitted under the Plan or this Section�12, the Restricted Share Units shall not be transferable by Grantee other than by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

�

13.�� Employment Violation.� The terms of this Section�13 shall apply to the Restricted Share Units if Grantee is or becomes subject to an employment agreement with any entity in the Company Group.� In the event of an Employment Violation, the Company shall have the right to require (a) the forfeiture by Grantee to the Company of any outstanding Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares which have yet to settle pursuant to Section 8 hereof and (b)�payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount with respect to such Employment Violation; provided, however, that, in lieu of payment by Grantee to the Company of the Recapture Amount, Grantee, in his or her discretion, may tender to the Company the Vested Shares acquired during the Look-back Period with respect to such Employment Violation (without any consideration from the Company in exchange therefor).� Any such forfeiture of Restricted Share Units and payment of the Recapture Amount, as the case may be, shall be in addition to, and not in lieu of, any other right or remedy available to the Company arising out of or in connection with such Employment Violation, including, without limitation, the right to terminate Grantee�s employment if not already terminated and to seek injunctive relief and additional monetary damages.

�

14.�� Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

�

(a)�� Grantee is responsible for complying with (i) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award and (ii) all Exercise Rules and Regulations.

�

(b)�� The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by Grantee in connection with the Award, including, without limitation, the Policy on Recoupment of Performance-Based Compensation Related to Certain Financial Restatements.

�

(c)�� [The Award is subject to the terms and conditions of the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines and the limitations contained therein on the ability of Grantee to transfer any Vested Shares.](2)

�

(2)� Include in agreements memorializing awards to executive officers to which the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines apply.

�

A-6

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15.�� Section 409A.

�

(a)�� Payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to comply with Section 409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section 409A.� Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i) nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties under Section 409A and (ii) if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on Grantee or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section�409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of Grantee, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section 14 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification, and in no event shall the Company be liable for the payment of or gross up in connection with any taxes, interest or penalties owed by Grantee pursuant to Section 409A.

�

(b)�� Neither Grantee nor any of Grantee�s creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable with respect to the Award to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.� Except as permitted under Section 409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section 409A) payable to Grantee or for Grantee�s benefit with respect to the Award may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by Grantee to the Company.

�

(c)�� Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if (i) the Committee determines in good faith that the Restricted Share Units do not qualify for the �short-term deferral exception� under Section�409A, (ii) Grantee is a �specified employee� (as defined in Section�409A) and (iii) a delay in the issuance or transfer of Vested Shares to Grantee or his or her estate or beneficiaries hereunder by reason of Grantee�s �separation from service� (as defined in Section 409A) with any entity in the Company Group is required to avoid tax penalties under Section 409A but is not already provided for by this Award, the Company shall cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to Grantee or Grantee�s estate or beneficiary upon the earlier of (A) the date that is the first business day following the date that is six months after the date of Grantee�s separation from service or (B) Grantee�s death.

�

A-7

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16.�� Legend.� The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Vested Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

�

�THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE �ACT�), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.�

�

17.�� No Right to Continued Employment.� Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon Grantee any right to be continued in the employ of any entity in the Company Group or derogate from any right of any entity in the Company Group to retire, request the resignation of, or discharge Grantee at any time, with or without Cause.

�

18.�� No Rights as Stockholder.� No holder of Restricted Share Units shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.

�

19.�� Severability.� In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

�

20.�� Venue and Governing Law.

�

(a)�� For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the relationship of the parties evidenced by the grant of the Restricted Share Units or these Award Terms, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Los Angeles County, California or the federal courts of the United States for the Central District of California, and no other courts, regardless of where the grant of the Restricted Share Units is made and/or to be performed.

�

(b)�� To the extent that federal law does not otherwise control, the validity, interpretation, performance and enforcement of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be governed by the laws of the State of Delaware, without giving effect to principles of conflicts of laws thereof.

�

A-8

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21.�� Successors and Assigns.� The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and Grantee and, to the extent applicable, Grantee�s permitted assigns under Section�12 hereof and Grantee�s estate or beneficiaries as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

�

22.�� Notices.

�

(a)�� Any notice or other document which Grantee may be required or permitted to deliver to the Company pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to the Company, at its office at 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard, Santa Monica, California 90405, Attn: Stock Plan Administration, or such other address as the Company by notice to Grantee may designate in writing from time to time.� Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

�

(b)�� Any notice or other document which the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to Grantee pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to Grantee at the address shown on any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time, or such other address as Grantee by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.� The Company may also, in its sole discretion, deliver any such document to Grantee electronically via an e-mail to Grantee at his or her Company-provided email address or through a notice delivered to such e-mail address that such document is available on a website established and maintained on behalf of the Company or a third party designated by the Company, including, without limitation, the Equity Account Administrator.� Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

�

23.�� Conflict with Employment Agreement or Plan.� In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time and the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the terms of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, as the case may be, shall control.� In the event of any conflict between the terms of any employment agreement or offer letter between Grantee and any entity in the Company Group in effect at the time, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

�

24.�� Imposition of Other Requirements.� The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Grantee�s participation in the Plan, on the Restricted Share Units and on any Common Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require Grantee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

�

25.�� Waiver.� Grantee acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of these Award Terms shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other

�

A-9

�

provision of these Award Terms, or of any subsequent breach by Grantee or any other grantee of an equity award from the Company.

�

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Exhibit 10.2

�

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC.

�

2014 INCENTIVE PLAN

�

NOTICE OF RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD

�

You have been awarded Restricted Share Units of Activision Blizzard,�Inc. (the �Company�), as follows:

�

�	Your name:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Total number of Restricted Share Units awarded:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Date of Grant:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Grant ID:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Your Award of Restricted Share Units is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:		�
�	�		�
�	�	this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award;
�	�	�
�	�	the Restricted Share Unit Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit�A (the �Award Terms�); and
�	�	�
�	�	the Company�s 2014 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.
�	�
�	Schedule for Vesting(1):
�	�
�	Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest as follows, provided you continuously serve as a member of the Board through the applicable vesting date:

�

Schedule for Vesting

�

Date of Vesting	�	No. of Restricted Share Units Vesting at Vesting Date	�	Cumulative No. of Restricted Share Units Vested at Vesting Date	�
�	�	�	�	�	�
[Three months after Date of Grant]	�	[��]	�	[��]	�
[Six months after Date of Grant]	�	[��]	�	[��]	�
[Nine months after Date of Grant]	�	[��]	�	[��]	�
[First anniversary of Date of Grant]	�	[��]	�	[��]	�

�

�	*Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.� You are urged to do so promptly.*

�

(1)� Revise as needed to reflect the vesting terms of the grant.

�

�	*Please return the signed Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to the Company at:*

�

�	Activision Blizzard,�Inc. 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard Santa Monica, CA� 90405 Attn:� Stock Plan Administration

�

�	*By accepting the Award, you are deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the 2014 Incentive Plan,* *this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award* *and the Award Terms.*

�

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for your records.

�

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

�

�		�	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC.
		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	Humam Sakhnini
�		�	Chief Strategy�& Talent Officer
�		�	�
�		�	Date:	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
[Name of Grantee]		�	�
�		�	�
Date:	�	�	�

�

EXHIBIT�A

�

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD,�INC.

�

2014 INCENTIVE PLAN

�

RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD TERMS

�

1.�� Definitions.

�

(a)�� For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

�

�Award� means the award described on the Grant Notice.

�

�Company� means Activision Blizzard,�Inc. and any successor thereto.

�

�Company Group� means the Company and its subsidiaries.

�

�Date of Grant� means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

�

�Disability� means �permanent and total disability� as defined in Section�22(e)(3)�of the Code, as interpreted by the Company (with such interpretation to be final, conclusive and binding for purposes of these Award Terms).

�

�Exercise Rules�and Regulations� means (i)�the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws, (ii)�the requirements of any securities exchange, securities association, market system or quotation system on which Common Shares are then traded or quoted, (iii)�any restrictions on transfer imposed by the Company�s certificate of incorporation or bylaws, and (iv)�any policy or procedure the Company has adopted with respect to the trading of its securities, in each case as in effect on the date of the intended transaction.

�

�Grantee� means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

�

�Grant Notice� means the Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit�A.

�

�Plan� means the Activision Blizzard,�Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

�

�Section�409A� means Section�409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

�

�Securities Act� means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

�

�Separation from Service� means �separation from service� within the meaning of Section�409A.

�

�Vested Shares� means the Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units becomes entitled upon vesting thereof in accordance with Section�2 or 3 hereof.

�

(b)�� Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

�

3.�� Termination of Service.

�

(a)�� Death or Disability.� Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee incurs a Separation from Service due to his or her death or Disability, the Restricted Share Units shall immediately vest as of the date of such Separation from Service.

�

(b)�� Change of Control.� Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee incurs a Separation from Service pursuant to the terms of any business combination or similar transaction involving the Company, the Restricted Share Units shall immediately vest as of the date of such Separation from Service.

�

(c)�� Other.� Unless the Committee determines otherwise, in the event that Grantee incurs a Separation from Service for any reason not addressed by Section�4(a)�or 4(b)

�

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�

hereof, as of the date of such Separation from Service all Restricted Share Units shall cease to vest and, with the exception of any Vested Shares that have yet to settle pursuant to Section�8 hereof, shall immediately be forfeited to the Company without payment of consideration by the Company.

�

4.�� Tax Withholding.� The Company shall have the right to require Grantee to satisfy any Withholding Taxes resulting from the vesting of any Restricted Share Units, the issuance or transfer of any Vested Shares or otherwise in connection with the Award at the time such Withholding Taxes become due.� The Company shall determine the method or methods Grantee may use to satisfy any Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section�4, which may include any of the following:� (a)�by delivery to the Company of a bank check or certified check or wire transfer of immediately available funds; (b)�through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, that the Company withhold Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable having a value equal to the aggregate amount of the Withholding Taxes (valued in the same manner used in computing the amount of such Withholding Taxes); (c)�if securities of the Company of the same class as the Vested Shares are then traded or quoted on a national securities exchange, the Nasdaq Stock Market,�Inc. or a national quotation system sponsored by the National Association of Securities Dealers,�Inc., through the delivery of irrevocable written instructions, in a form acceptable to the Company, to the Equity Account Administrator (or, with the Company�s consent, such other brokerage firm as may be requested by the Grantee) to sell some or all of the Vested Shares and to thereafter deliver promptly to the Company from the proceeds of such sale an amount in cash equal to the aggregate amount of such Withholding Taxes; or (d)�by any combination of (a), (b)�and (c)�above.� Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, any entity in the Company Group shall have the right to ensure that all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section�4 are satisfied by (i)�withholding from any compensation paid to Grantee, (ii)�withholding Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable (in which case Grantee will be deemed to have been issued the full number of Vested Shares), and (iii)�arranging for the sale, on Grantee�s behalf, of Vested Shares otherwise then deliverable.� The Company shall have no obligation to deliver any Vested Shares unless and until all Withholding Taxes contemplated by this Section�4 have been satisfied.

�

5.�� Deemed Agreement.� By accepting the Award, Grantee is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

�

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�

entitled to such Vested Shares (or, with the Company�s consent, such other brokerage account as may be requested by such person); provided, however, that, in the event such Vested Shares are subject to a legend as set forth in Section�15 hereof, the Company shall instead cause a certificate evidencing such Vested Shares and bearing such legend to be delivered to the person entitled thereto.

�

9.�� Committee Discretion.� Except as may otherwise be provided in the Plan, the Committee shall have sole discretion to (a)�interpret any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms, (b)�make any determinations necessary or advisable for the administration of the Plan and the Award, and (c)�waive any conditions or rights of the Company under the Award, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.� Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, any decision or determination to be made by the Committee pursuant to these Award Terms, including whether to grant or withhold any consent, shall be made by the Committee in its sole and absolute discretion, subject only to the terms of the Plan.� Subject to the terms of the Plan, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award prospectively or retroactively; however, no such amendment may materially and adversely affect the rights of Grantee taken as a whole without Grantee�s consent.� Without intending to limit the generality or effect of the foregoing, the Committee may amend the terms of the Award (i)�in recognition of unusual or nonrecurring events (including, without limitation, events described in Section�10 hereof) affecting any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company�s other affiliates or the financial statements of any entity in the Company Group or any of the Company�s other affiliates, (ii)�in response to changes in applicable laws, regulations or accounting principles and interpretations thereof, or (iii)�to prevent the Award from becoming subject to any adverse consequences under Section�409A.

�

10.�� Adjustments.� Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, pursuant to Section�12 of the Plan, the Committee will make or provide for such adjustments to the Award as are equitably required to prevent dilution or enlargement of the rights of Grantee that otherwise would result from (a)�any stock dividend, extraordinary dividend, stock split, combination of shares, recapitalization or other change in the capital structure of the Company, (b)�any change of control, merger, consolidation, spin-off, split-off, spin-out, split-up, reorganization, partial or complete liquidation or other distribution of assets, or issuance of rights or warrants to purchase securities, or (c)�any other corporate transaction or event having an effect similar to any of the foregoing.� Moreover, in the event of any such transaction or event, the Committee, in its discretion, may provide in substitution for the Award such alternative consideration (including, without limitation, cash), if any, as it may determine to be equitable in the circumstances and may require in connection therewith the surrender of the Award.

�

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�

appropriate to permit the Company, in light of the then existence or non-existence of an effective registration statement under the Securities Act relating to Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares, to issue or transfer Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares in compliance with the provisions of that or any comparable federal securities law and all applicable state securities laws.� The Company shall have the right, but not the obligation, to register the issuance or transfer of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares or resale of Restricted Share Units or Vested Shares under the Securities Act or any comparable federal securities law or applicable state securities law.

�

13.�� Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

�

(a)�� Grantee is responsible for complying with (i)�any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award and (ii)�all Exercise Rules�and Regulations.

�

(b)�� The Award is subject to the terms and conditions any policy requiring or permitting the Company to recover any gains realized by Grantee in connection with the Award.

�

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�

14.�� Section�409A.

�

(a)�� Payments contemplated with respect to the Award are intended to comply with Section�409A, and all provisions of the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be construed and interpreted in a manner consistent with the requirements for avoiding taxes or penalties under Section�409A.� Notwithstanding the foregoing, (i)�nothing in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall guarantee that the Award is not subject to taxes or penalties under Section�409A and (ii)�if any provision of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms would, in the reasonable, good faith judgment of the Company, result or likely result in the imposition on Grantee or any other person of taxes, interest or penalties under Section�409A, the Committee may, in its sole discretion, modify the terms of the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, without the consent of Grantee, in the manner that the Committee may reasonably and in good faith determine to be necessary or advisable to avoid the imposition of such taxes, interest or penalties; provided, however, that this Section�14 does not create an obligation on the part of the Committee or the Company to make any such modification, and in no event shall the Company be liable for the payment of or gross up in connection with any taxes, interest or penalties owed by Grantee pursuant to Section�409A.

�

(b)�� Neither Grantee nor any of Grantee�s creditors or beneficiaries shall have the right to subject any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section�409A) payable with respect to the Award to any anticipation, alienation, sale, transfer, assignment, pledge, encumbrance, attachment or garnishment.� Except as permitted under Section�409A, any deferred compensation (within the meaning of Section�409A) payable to Grantee or for Grantee�s benefit with respect to the Award may not be reduced by, or offset against, any amount owing by Grantee to the Company.

�

(c)�� Notwithstanding anything to the contrary contained herein, if (i)�the Committee determines in good faith that the Restricted Share Units are deferred compensation for purposes of Section�409A, (ii)�Grantee is a �specified employee� (as defined in Section�409A) and (iii)�a delay in the issuance or transfer of Vested Shares to Grantee or his or her estate or beneficiaries hereunder by reason of Grantee�s Separation from Service with any entity in the Company Group is required to avoid tax penalties under Section�409A but is not already provided for by this Award, the Company shall cause the issuance or transfer of such Vested Shares to Grantee or Grantee�s estate or beneficiary upon the earlier of (A)�the date that is the first business day following the date that is six months after the date of Grantee�s Separation from Service or (B)�Grantee�s death.

�

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�

15.�� Legend.� The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Vested Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

�

�THE SECURITIES REPRESENTED HEREBY MAY�NOT BE OFFERED FOR SALE, SOLD OR OTHERWISE TRANSFERRED EXCEPT PURSUANT TO AN EFFECTIVE REGISTRATION STATEMENT UNDER THE SECURITIES ACT OF 1933, AS AMENDED (THE �ACT�), OR PURSUANT TO AN EXEMPTION FROM REGISTRATION UNDER THE ACT.�

�

16.�� No Right to Continued Service.� Nothing contained in the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be construed to confer upon Grantee any right to continued service on the Board or derogate from any right of the Company or its stockholders remove Grantee from the Board at any time, with or without cause.

�

17.�� No Rights as Stockholder.� No holder of Restricted Share Units shall, by virtue of the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, be entitled to any right of a stockholder of the Company, either at law or in equity, and the rights of any such holder are limited to those expressed, and are not enforceable against the Company except to the extent set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice or these Award Terms.

�

18.�� Severability.� In the event that one or more of the provisions of these Award Terms shall be invalidated for any reason by a court of competent jurisdiction, any provision so invalidated shall be deemed to be separable from the other provisions hereof, and the remaining provisions hereof shall continue to be valid and fully enforceable.

�

19.�� Venue and Governing Law.

�

(a)�� For purposes of litigating any dispute that arises directly or indirectly from the Grant Notice or these Award Terms, the parties submit and consent to the exclusive jurisdiction of the State of California and agree that such litigation shall be conducted only in the courts of Los Angeles County, California or the federal courts of the United States for the Central District of California, regardless of where the grant of the Restricted Share Units is made and/or to be performed.

�

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�

20.�� Successors and Assigns.� The provisions of the Grant Notice and these Award Terms shall be binding upon and inure to the benefit of the Company, its successors and assigns, and Grantee and, to the extent applicable, Grantee�s permitted assigns under Section�12 hereof and Grantee�s estate or beneficiaries as determined by will or the laws of descent and distribution.

�

21.�� Notices.

�

(b)�� Any notice or other document which the Company may be required or permitted to deliver to Grantee pursuant to or in connection with the Grant Notice or these Award Terms shall be in writing, and may be delivered personally or by mail, postage prepaid, or overnight courier, addressed to Grantee at the address shown on the records of the Company, or such other address as Grantee by notice to the Company may designate in writing from time to time.� The Company may also, in its sole discretion, deliver any such document to Grantee electronically via an e-mail to Grantee at his or her Company-provided email address or through a notice delivered to such e-mail address that such document is available on a website established and maintained on behalf of the Company or a third party designated by the Company, including, without limitation, the Equity Account Administrator.� Notices shall be effective upon delivery.

�

22.�� Conflict with Plan.� In the event of any conflict between the terms of any the Grant Notice or these Award Terms and the terms of the Plan, the terms of the Plan shall control.

�

23.�� Imposition of Other Requirements.� The Company reserves the right to impose other requirements on Grantee�s participation in the Plan, on the Restricted Share Units and on any Common Shares acquired under the Plan, to the extent the Company determines it is necessary or advisable in order to comply with local law or facilitate the administration of the Plan, and to require Grantee to sign any additional agreements or undertakings that may be necessary to accomplish the foregoing.

�

24.�� Waiver.� Grantee acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of these Award Terms shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other provision of these Award Terms, or of any subsequent breach by Grantee or any other grantee of an equity award from the Company.

�

A-8

Exhibit 10.3

�

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

�

2014 INCENTIVE PLAN

�

NOTICE OF PERFORMANCE-VESTING RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD

�

You have been awarded Restricted Share Units of Activision Blizzard, Inc. (the �Company�), as follows:

�

�	Your name:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Total number of Restricted Share Units awarded:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Date of Grant:� [		]
�	�		�
�	Grant ID:� [		]
�	�
�	Your Award of Restricted Share Units is governed by the terms and conditions set forth in:
�	�
�	�	this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award;
�	�	�
�	�	the Performance-Vesting Restricted Share Unit Award Terms attached hereto as Exhibit�A (the �Award Terms�); and
�	�	�
�	�	the Company�s 2014 Incentive Plan, the receipt of a copy of which you hereby acknowledge.
�	�
�	[Your Award of Restricted Share Units has been made in connection with your employment agreement with the Company or one of its subsidiaries as a material inducement to your entering into or renewing employment with such entity pursuant to such agreement, and is also governed by any applicable terms and conditions set forth in such agreement.]
�	�
�	Schedule for Vesting(1):� Except as otherwise provided under the Award Terms, the Restricted Share Units awarded to you will vest in full on or prior to the 15th day of the third month after the end of the third fiscal year hereafter, provided you remain continuously employed by the Company or one of its subsidiaries through such date, as follows:

�

1.�� One-third of the Restricted Share Units will vest if, and only if, the Committee determines that non-GAAP operating income (�OI�) for Activision Blizzard is greater than or equal to the annual operating plan OI objective established by the Board of Directors (�AOPOI Objective�) for Activision Blizzard (the �Performance Objective�) for the next fiscal year hereafter;

�

(1)� Revise as needed to reflect the vesting terms of the grant.

�

2.�� One-third of the Restricted Share Units will vest if, and only if, the Committee determines that the Performance Objective for the second fiscal year hereafter is met or exceeded; and

�

3.�� One-third of the Restricted Share Units will vest if, and only if, the Committee determines that the Performance Objective for the third fiscal year hereafter is met or exceeded.

�

If, prior to the vesting of any portion of the Restricted Share Units, as provided for in this provision, your job responsibilities are changed to include a different or additional business unit, then the Company, in its sole discretion, acting through the Committee or Company management, as applicable, may adjust the Performance Objective for the relevant fiscal year(s) by substituting the OI and AOPOI Objective of your new or additional business unit for that of your original business unit or by prorating or otherwise combining the OI and AOPOI Objective of the applicable business units, in each case for purposes of determining whether or not the conditions of the unvested Restricted Share Units have been satisfied.

�

For purposes hereof, the time period covered by any fiscal year shall be at least three months in length and shall otherwise be determined by the Committee in its sole discretion.

�

�� Please sign and return to the Company this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award, which bears an original signature on behalf of the Company.� You are urged to do so promptly.

�

�� Please return the signed Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award to the Company at:

�

�	Activision Blizzard, Inc. 3100 Ocean Park Boulevard Santa Monica, CA� 90405 Attn:� Stock Plan Administration

�

�� By accepting the Award, you are deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the 2014 Incentive Plan, this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award and the Award Terms.

�

You should retain the enclosed duplicate copy of this Notice of Restricted Share Unit Award for your records.

�

Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Award Terms.

�

�		�	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.
�		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	Humam Sakhnini
�		�	Chief Strategy & Talent Officer
�		�	�
�		�	Date:	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
ACCEPTED AND AGREED:		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
�		�	�
[Name of Grantee]		�	�
�		�	�
Date:	�	�	�

�

EXHIBIT A

�

ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.

�

2014 INCENTIVE PLAN

�

PERFORMANCE-VESTING RESTRICTED SHARE UNIT AWARD TERMS

�

1.�� Definitions.

�

(a)�� For purposes of these Award Terms, the following terms shall have the meanings set forth below:

�

�Award� means the award described on the Grant Notice.

�

�Company� means Activision Blizzard, Inc. and any successor thereto.

�

�Company Group� means the Company and its subsidiaries.

�

�Date of Grant� means the Date of Grant of the Award set forth on the Grant Notice.

�

�Grantee� means the recipient of the Award named on the Grant Notice.

�

�Grant Notice� means the Notice of Performance-Vesting Restricted Share Unit Award to which these Award Terms are attached as Exhibit A.

�

�Plan� means the Activision Blizzard, Inc. 2014 Incentive Plan, as amended from time to time.

�

(i)�� if Grantee has received Vested Shares during such Look-back Period and sold any such Vested Shares, an amount equal to the sum of the sales price for all such Vested Shares; plus

�

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�

for the 30 trading day period ending on the trading day immediately preceding the date of computation, times (B)�the number of such Vested Shares which were not sold.

�

�Section 409A� means Section�409A of the Code and the guidance and regulations promulgated thereunder.

�

�Securities Act� means the Securities Act of 1933, as amended.

�

��Vested Shares� means the Common Shares to which the holder of the Restricted Share Units becomes entitled upon vesting thereof in accordance with Section�2 or 3 hereof.

�

(b)�� Any capitalized term used but not otherwise defined herein shall have the meaning ascribed to such term in the Plan.

�

3.�� Termination of Employment.

�

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�

5.�� Deemed Agreement.� By accepting the Award, Grantee is deemed to be bound by the terms and conditions set forth in the Plan, the Grant Notice and these Award Terms.

�

7.�� Dividend Equivalents. The holder of the Restricted Share Units shall not be entitled to receive any payment, payment-in-kind or any equivalent with regard to any cash or other dividends that are declared and paid on Common Shares.

�

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�

A-5

�

14.�� Compliance with Applicable Laws and Regulations and Company Policies and Procedures.

�

(a)�� Grantee is responsible for complying with (i) any federal, state and local taxation laws applicable to Grantee in connection with the Award and (ii) all Exercise Rules and Regulations.

�

(2)� Include in agreements memorializing awards to executive officers to which the Executive Stock Ownership Guidelines apply.

�

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�

15.�� Section 409A.

�

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�

16.�� Legend.� The Company may, if determined by it based on the advice of counsel to be appropriate, cause any certificate evidencing Vested Shares to bear a legend substantially as follows:

�

20.�� Venue and Governing Law.

�

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�

22.�� Notices.

�

25.�� Waiver.� Grantee acknowledges that a waiver by the Company of a breach of any provision of these Award Terms shall not operate or be construed as a waiver of any other

�

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�

provision of these Award Terms, or of any subsequent breach by Grantee or any other grantee of an equity award from the Company.

�

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Exhibit�31.1

�

CERTIFICATION

�

I, Robert A. Kotick, certify that:

�

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form�10-Q of Activision Blizzard,�Inc.;

�

2. Based on my knowledge, this report does not contain any untrue statement of a material fact or omit to state a material fact necessary to make the statements made, in light of the circumstances under which such statements were made, not misleading with respect to the period covered by this report;

�

3. Based on my knowledge, the financial statements, and other financial information included in this report, fairly present in all material respects the financial condition, results of operations and cash flows of the registrant as of, and for, the periods presented in this report;

�

4. The registrant�s other certifying officer and I are responsible for establishing and maintaining disclosure controls and procedures (as defined in Exchange Act Rules�13a-15(e)�and 15d-15(e)) and internal control over financial reporting (as defined in Exchange Act Rules�13a-15(f)�and 15d-15(f)) for the registrant and have:

�

(a)�� Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

�

(b)�� Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

�

(c)�� Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant�s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

�

(d)�� Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant�s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant�s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant�s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an Annual Report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant�s internal control over financial reporting; and

�

5. The registrant�s other certifying officer and I have disclosed, based on our most recent evaluation of internal control over financial reporting, to the registrant�s auditors and the audit committee of the registrant�s board of directors (or persons performing the equivalent functions):

�

(a)�� All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant�s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

�

(b)�� Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant�s internal control over financial reporting.

�

Date:��November�4, 2014

�

�	/s/ ROBERT A. KOTICK
�	Robert A. Kotick
�	Chief Executive Officer and
�	Principal Executive Officer of
�	Activision Blizzard,�Inc.

�

Exhibit�31.2

�

CERTIFICATION

�

I, Dennis Durkin, certify that:

�

1. I have reviewed this Quarterly Report on Form�10-Q of Activision Blizzard,�Inc.;

�

(a)�Designed such disclosure controls and procedures, or caused such disclosure controls and procedures to be designed under our supervision, to ensure that material information relating to the registrant, including its consolidated subsidiaries, is made known to us by others within those entities, particularly during the period in which this report is being prepared;

�

(b)�Designed such internal control over financial reporting, or caused such internal control over financial reporting to be designed under our supervision, to provide reasonable assurance regarding the reliability of financial reporting and the preparation of financial statements for external purposes in accordance with generally accepted accounting principles;

�

(c)�Evaluated the effectiveness of the registrant�s disclosure controls and procedures and presented in this report our conclusions about the effectiveness of the disclosure controls and procedures, as of the end of the period covered by this report based on such evaluation; and

�

(d)�Disclosed in this report any change in the registrant�s internal control over financial reporting that occurred during the registrant�s most recent fiscal quarter (the registrant�s fourth fiscal quarter in the case of an Annual Report) that has materially affected, or is reasonably likely to materially affect, the registrant�s internal control over financial reporting; and

�

(a)�All significant deficiencies and material weaknesses in the design or operation of internal control over financial reporting which are reasonably likely to adversely affect the registrant�s ability to record, process, summarize and report financial information; and

�

(b)�Any fraud, whether or not material, that involves management or other employees who have a significant role in the registrant�s internal control over financial reporting.

�

Date:��November�4, 2014

�

�	/s/ DENNIS DURKIN
�	Dennis Durkin
�	Chief Financial Officer and
�	Principal Financial Officer of
�	Activision Blizzard,�Inc.

�

Exhibit�32.1

�

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION�1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION�906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

�

In connection with the quarterly report of Activision Blizzard,�Inc. (the �Company�) on Form�10-Q for the period ended September�30, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the �Report�),�I, Robert A. Kotick, Chief Executive Officer and Principal Executive Officer of the Company, certify, to my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. � 1350, as adopted pursuant to � 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

�

(1)�� The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section�13(a)�or 15(d)�of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

�

(2)�� The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

�

Date: November�4, 2014

�

/s/ ROBERT A. KOTICK

�

Robert A. Kotick

�

Chief Executive Officer and

Principal Executive Officer of

Activision Blizzard,�Inc.

�

A signed original of this written statement required by Section�906 has been provided to the Company and will be retained by the Company and furnished to the Securities and Exchange Commission or its staff upon request.

�

Exhibit�32.2

�

CERTIFICATION PURSUANT TO

18 U.S.C. SECTION�1350,

AS ADOPTED PURSUANT TO

SECTION�906 OF THE SARBANES-OXLEY ACT OF 2002

�

In connection with the quarterly report of Activision Blizzard,�Inc. (the �Company�) on Form�10-Q for the period ended September�30, 2014 as filed with the Securities and Exchange Commission on the date hereof (the �Report�),�I, Dennis Durkin, Chief Financial Officer and Principal Financial Officer of the Company, certify, to my knowledge, pursuant to 18 U.S.C. � 1350, as adopted pursuant to � 906 of the Sarbanes-Oxley Act of 2002, that:

�

(1)�� The Report fully complies with the requirements of Section�13(a)�or 15(d)�of the Securities Exchange Act of 1934; and

�

(2)�� The information contained in the Report fairly presents, in all material respects, the financial condition and results of operations of the Company.

�

Date: November�4, 2014

�

�	/s/ DENNIS DURKIN
�	Dennis Durkin
�	Chief Financial Officer and
�	Principal Financial Officer of Activision Blizzard,�Inc.

�

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Form 10-Q Activision Blizzard, For: Sep 30

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