Activision Blizzard (ATVI) 10-Q 4 Nov 16 2016 Q3 Quarterly report Financial data

Document and Entity Information

Document and Entity Information - shares	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Oct. 27, 2016
Document and Entity Information
Entity Registrant Name	Activision Blizzard, Inc.
Entity Central Index Key	718,877
Document Type	10-Q
Document Period End Date	Sep. 30, 2016
Amendment Flag	false
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		743,213,371
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2,016
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 4,029	$ 1,823
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $152 and $343, at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively	446	679
Inventories, net	131	128
Software development	414	336
Other current assets	314	421
Total current assets	5,334	3,387
Cash in escrow	0	3,561
Software development	64	80
Property and equipment, net	258	189
Deferred income taxes, net	485	275
Other assets	382	177
Intangible assets, net	2,070	482
Goodwill	9,787	7,095
Total assets	18,380	15,246
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	211	284
Deferred revenues	1,320	1,702
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	689	625
Current portion of long-term debt, net	1,481	0
Total current liabilities	3,701	2,611
Long-term debt, net	4,881	4,074
Deferred income taxes, net	43	10
Other liabilities	937	483
Total liabilities	9,562	7,178
Commitments and contingencies
Shareholders' equity:
Common stock, $0.000001 par value, 2,400,000,000 shares authorized, 1,171,794,694 and 1,163,179,140 shares issued at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015, respectively	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	10,427	10,242
Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 428,676,471 shares at September 30, 2016 and December 31, 2015	(5,572)	(5,637)
Retained earnings	4,616	4,096
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(653)	(633)
Total shareholders' equity	8,818	8,068
Total liabilities and shareholders' equity	$ 18,380	$ 15,246

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable, allowances	$ 152	$ 343
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.000001	$ 0.000001
Common stock, shares authorized	2,400,000,000	2,400,000,000
Common stock, shares issued	1,171,794,694	1,163,179,140
Treasury stock, shares	428,676,471	428,676,471

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMEN

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF OPERATIONS (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Statement [Abstract]
Product sales	$ 355	$ 425	$ 1,501	$ 1,736
Subscription, licensing and other revenues	1,213	565	3,093	1,576
Total net revenues	1,568	990	4,594	3,312
Costs and expenses
Cost of revenues, product sales - product costs	111	179	429	528
Cost of revenues, product sales - software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses	42	62	250	273
Cost of revenues, subs/licensing/other - game ops and distribution costs	237	71	620	192
Cost of revenues, subs/licensing/other - software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses	139	25	319	54
Product development	249	159	673	453
Sales and marketing	340	189	830	445
General and administrative	156	109	486	297
Total costs and expenses	1,274	794	3,607	2,242
Operating income	294	196	987	1,070
Interest and other expense (income), net	63	51	181	151
Income before income tax expense	231	145	806	919
Income tax expense	32	18	93	186
Net income	$ 199	$ 127	$ 713	$ 733
Earnings per common share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.17	$ 0.96	$ 0.99
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.17	$ 0.94	$ 0.98
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	742	730	739	727
Diluted (in shares)	756	739	753	736
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.26	$ 0.23

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 199	$ 127	$ 713	$ 733
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment	0	5	(20)	(240)
Unrealized gains (losses) on forward contracts designated as hedges, net of tax	(4)	(3)	0	3
Unrealized losses on investments, net of tax	0	(1)	0	(4)
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	(4)	1	(20)	(241)
Comprehensive income	$ 195	$ 128	$ 693	$ 492

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME6

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		9 Months Ended
		Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$ 713	$ 733
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes		(200)	(22)
Provision for inventories		29	16
Depreciation and amortization		584	65
Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses	[1]	248	303
Amortization of debt discount, financing costs, and non-cash write-off due to extinguishment of debt		26	5
Stock-based compensation expense	[2]	107	71
Changes in operating assets and liabilities, net of effect from business acquisitions:
Accounts receivable, net		395	142
Inventories		(32)	(135)
Software development and intellectual property licenses		(295)	(249)
Other assets		85	158
Deferred revenues		(396)	(833)
Accounts payable		(76)	(7)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		108	(51)
Net cash provided by operating activities		1,296	196
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments		0	15
Purchases of available-for-sale investments		0	(144)
Acquisition of business, net of cash acquired		(4,588)	0
Release of cash in escrow		3,561	0
Capital expenditures		(99)	(95)
Payment to acquire equity method investment		(5)	0
Increase in restricted cash		(19)	(15)
Net cash used in investing activities		(1,150)	(239)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees		86	82
Tax payment related to net share settlements on restricted stock rights		(76)	(36)
Dividends paid		(195)	(170)
Proceeds from debt financing		6,925	0
Repayment of long-term debt		(4,604)	(250)
Payment of debt discount and financing costs		(53)	0
Proceeds received from shareholder lawsuit settlement		0	202
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		2,083	(172)
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(23)	(268)
Net increase (decrease) in cash and cash equivalents		2,206	(483)
Cash and cash equivalents at beginning of period		1,823	4,848
Cash and cash equivalents at end of period		$ 4,029	$ 4,365
[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.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME7

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	Total	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2014						$ (303)
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income	$ 733
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(241)
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2015						(544)
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2015	8,068	$ 0	$ (5,637)	$ 10,242	$ 4,096	(633)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2015		1,163	429
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income	713				713
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(20)					(20)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options	86			86
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options (in shares)		6
Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock rights	0			0
Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock rights (in shares)		5
Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability	(80)			(80)
Restricted stock surrendered for employees' tax liability (in shares)		(2)
Stock-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock rights	103			103
Stock-based compensation assumed in acquisition	76			76
Dividends ($0.26 per common share)	(193)				(193)
Indemnity on tax attributes assumed in connection with the Purchase Transaction	65		$ 65
Ending balance at Sep. 30, 2016	$ 8,818	$ 0	$ (5,572)	$ 10,427	$ 4,616	$ (653)
Balance (in shares) at Sep. 30, 2016		1,172	429

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEME8

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Feb. 02, 2016	Feb. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.23	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.26	$ 0.23

Description of Business and Bas

Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation 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 currently offer 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. 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. As of December 31, 2015, ASAC II LP, an exempted limited partnership established under the laws of the Cayman Islands ("ASAC LP"), held approximately 172 million shares, or approximately 23% of the outstanding shares of our common stock at that time. Robert A. Kotick, our Chief Executive Officer, and Brian G. Kelly, Chairman of our Board of Directors, are the managers of ASAC II LLC, the general partner of ASAC LP (“ASAC GP”). On June 8, 2016, ASAC GP distributed the approximately 141 million shares allocable to the limited partners of ASAC LP to those limited partners. On July 7, 2016, ASAC LP distributed approximately 18 million of its remaining approximately 31 million shares to ASAC GP. On August 15, 2016, ASAC GP sold approximately 4 million shares of our common stock and distributed 14 million shares pro rata to its members, consisting of trusts for the benefit of Messrs. Kotick and Kelly, which shares were ultimately sold on that day for financial and estate-planning purposes. On August 19, 2016, ASAC LP distributed its remaining shares of common stock to ASAC GP, leaving ASAC LP without any shares and ASAC GP with approximately 13 million shares of our common stock, which represented approximately 2% of the outstanding shares of our common stock as of September 30, 2016. We did not receive any proceeds from any of the distributions or sales of the shares. The common stock of Activision Blizzard is traded on The NASDAQ Stock Market under the ticker symbol “ATVI.” The King Acquisition On November 2, 2015, we and King Digital Entertainment plc ("King"), a leading interactive mobile entertainment company, entered into a transaction agreement (the “Transaction Agreement”) under the terms of which we would acquire King (the “King Acquisition”) and King would become a wholly-owned subsidiary of the Company. On February 23, 2016, we completed the King Acquisition, as further described in Note 14 of the notes to the condensed consolidated financial statements. Our condensed consolidated financial statements include the operations of King commencing on February 23, 2016. Reportable Segments Based upon our organizational structure, we conduct our business through three reportable operating segments as follows: (i) Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision Publishing, Inc. ("Activision") is a leading global 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, in a variety of geographies. Activision develops, markets, and sells products through retail channels or digital downloads, which are principally based on our internally-developed intellectual properties, including games in the Call of Duty ® and Skylanders ® franchises, as well as some licensed properties. Additionally, we have established a long-term alliance with Bungie to publish its game universe, Destiny. 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; the PC; the Nintendo 3DS, Nintendo Dual Screen, and Sony PlayStation Vita handheld game systems; and mobile and tablet devices. (ii) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. ("Blizzard") is a leader in online PC gaming, including the subscription-based massively multi-player online role-playing game category, in terms of both subscriber base and revenues generated through its World of Warcraft ® franchise. Blizzard also develops, markets, and sells role-playing action and strategy games for the PC, console, mobile and tablet platforms, including games in the multiple-award winning Diablo ® , StarCraft ® , Hearthstone ® : Heroes of Warcraft ™ , and Heroes of the Storm ® franchises. On May 24, 2016, Blizzard added a new franchise, Overwatch®, a team-based first-person shooter available on the PC and console platforms. In addition, Blizzard maintains a proprietary online gaming service, Battle.net®, which facilitates digital distribution and online social connectivity across all Blizzard games. Blizzard distributes its products and generates revenues worldwide through various means, including: subscriptions; sales of prepaid subscription cards; in-game purchases and services; retail sales of physical "boxed" products; online sales of downloadable PC products; purchases and downloads via third-party console, mobile, and tablet platforms; and licensing of software to third-party or related party companies that distribute Blizzard products. (iii) King Digital Entertainment Limited King Digital Entertainment Limited ("King") is a leading interactive mobile entertainment company that develops and distributes games on mobile platforms, such as Android and iOS, and on online and social platforms, such as Facebook and the king.com websites. King has four established free-to-play franchises: Candy Crush ™ , Farm Heroes ™ , Bubble Witch ™ , and Pet Rescue ™ , where monetization occurs through players purchasing virtual items and in-game virtual currency. (iv) Other We also engage in other businesses that do not represent reportable segments, including: • The Major League Gaming ("MLG") business (which we formerly referred to as Activision Blizzard Media Networks or Media Networks), which is devoted to eSports and builds on our competitive gaming efforts by creating ways to deliver best-in-class fan experiences across games, platforms, and geographies with a long-term strategy of monetization through advertising, sponsorships, tournaments, and premium content. • The Activision Blizzard Studios (“Studios”) business, which is devoted to creating original film and television content based on our extensive library of iconic and globally-recognized intellectual properties. • The Activision Blizzard Distribution (“Distribution”) business, which 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 year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. 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, 2015 . 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. 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. Cost of revenues presentation In periods prior to the second quarter of 2016, we presented cost of revenues in our consolidated statements of operations in four financial statement captions: "Cost of sales - product costs," " Cost of sales - online," "Cost of sales - software royalties and amortization," and "Cost of sales - intellectual property licenses." Commencing with the second quarter of 2016, we have revised the presentation in our condensed consolidated statements of operations to more clearly align our costs of revenues with the associated revenue captions as follows: Cost of revenues - product sales: (i) “Product costs” - includes the manufacturing costs of goods produced and sold. These generally include product costs, manufacturing royalties, net of volume discounts, personnel-related costs, warehousing, and distribution costs. We generally recognize volume discounts when they are earned (typically in connection with the achievement of unit-based milestones). (ii) “Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses” - includes the amortization of capitalized software costs and royalties attributable to product sales revenues. These are costs capitalized on the balance sheet until the respective games are released, at which time the capitalized costs are amortized. Also included is amortization of intangible assets recognized in purchase accounting attributable to product sales revenues. Cost of revenues - subscription, licensing, and other revenues: (i) “Game operations and distribution costs” - includes costs to operate our games, such as customer service, internet bandwidth and server costs, platform provider fee, and payment provider fees. (ii) “Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses” - includes the amortization of capitalized software costs and royalties attributable to subscription, licensing and other revenues. These are costs capitalized on the balance sheet until the respective games are released, at which time the capitalized costs are amortized. Also included is amortization of intangible assets recognized in purchase accounting attributable to subscription, licensing and other revenues. Prior periods have been reclassified to conform to the current presentation. Summary of Significant Accounting Policies During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , there were no significant changes to our accounting policies but we did expand the accounting policy disclosure for revenue recognition to include virtual currency as noted below. Refer to Note 2 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2015 for our full summary of significant accounting policies. Microtransaction Revenues Microtransaction revenues are derived from the sale of virtual goods and currencies to our players to enhance their gameplay experience. Proceeds from the sales of virtual goods and currencies are initially recorded in deferred revenues. Proceeds from the sales of virtual currencies are recognized as a player uses the virtual goods purchased with the virtual currency. We categorize our virtual goods as either consumable or durable. Consumable virtual goods represent goods that can be consumed by a specific player action; accordingly, we recognize revenues from the sale of consumable virtual goods as the goods are consumed. Durable virtual goods represent goods that are accessible to the player over an extended period of time. We recognize revenues from the sale of durable virtual goods ratably over the period of time the goods are available to the player, which is generally the estimated service period of the game. Supplemental Cash Flow Information: Non-cash investing and financing activities For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we had non-cash purchase price consideration of $89 million related to vested and unvested stock options and awards that were assumed and replaced with Activision Blizzard equity or deferred cash awards in the King Acquisition. Refer to Note 14 for further discussion.

Inventories, Net

Inventories, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Inventories, Net	Inventories, Net Our inventories, net consist of the following (amounts in millions): At September 30, 2016 At December 31, 2015 Finished goods $ 103 $ 101 Purchased parts and components 28 27 Inventories, net $ 131 $ 128 At September 30, 2016 , and December 31, 2015 , inventory reserves were $52 million and $54 million, respectively .

Software Development and Intell

Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Software Development Costs and Intellectual Property Licenses
Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses	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 September 30, 2016 At December 31, 2015 Internally-developed software costs $ 304 $ 266 Payments made to third-party software developers 174 150 Total software development costs $ 478 $ 416 Intellectual property licenses $ 3 $ 30 Intellectual property licenses are classified within "Other current assets" and "Other assets" in our condensed consolidated balance sheets. Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses was the following (amounts in millions): 23 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses $ 47 $ 80 $ 260 $ 312

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible Assets, Net	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net	Intangible Assets, Net Intangible assets, net consist of the following (amounts in millions): At September 30, 2016 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: Internally-developed franchises 3 - 11 years $ 1,154 $ (495 ) $ 659 Developed software 3 - 5 years 595 (102 ) 493 Customer base 2 years 617 (188 ) 429 Trade names 7 - 10 years 54 (5 ) 49 Other 1 - 8 years 18 (11 ) 7 Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 2,438 $ (801 ) $ 1,637 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 2,070 At December 31, 2015 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: License agreements and other 1 - 10 years $ 116 $ (93 ) $ 23 Internally-developed franchises 11 years 309 (298 ) 11 Developed software 5 years 15 — 15 Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 440 $ (391 ) $ 49 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 482 The balances of intangible assets, net presented in the table above at September 30, 2016 , does not include license agreement intangible assets that were fully amortized at December 31, 2015, and hence have been removed from the September 30, 2016 balances, as presented. Amortization expense of intangible assets was $211 million and $496 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, respectively. Amortization expense of intangible assets was $2 million and $5 million for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, respectively . At September 30, 2016 , future amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated as follows (amounts in millions): 2016 (remaining three months) $ 211 2017 777 2018 361 2019 201 2020 66 Thereafter 21 Total $ 1,637

Goodwill

Goodwill	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , are as follows (amounts in millions): Activision Blizzard King Other Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 6,905 $ 178 $ — $ 12 $ 7,095 Additions through acquisition — — 2,693 — 2,693 Other (1 ) — — — (1 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 6,904 $ 178 $ 2,693 $ 12 $ 9,787 The addition to goodwill through acquisition is attributed to the King Acquisition (see Note 14 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements).

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	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 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, 2016 Using As of September 30, 2016 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Balance Sheet Classification Financial Assets: Recurring fair value measurements: Money market funds $ 3,801 $ 3,801 $ — $ — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign government treasury bills 39 39 — — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges 4 — 4 — Other current assets Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges 1 — 1 — Other current assets Auction rate securities (“ARS”) 9 — — 9 Other assets Total recurring fair value measurements $ 3,854 $ 3,840 $ 5 $ 9 Financial liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges $ (5 ) $ — $ (5 ) $ — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Other Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Balance Sheet Classification Financial Assets: Recurring fair value measurements: Money market funds $ 1,613 $ 1,613 $ — $ — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign government treasury bills 34 34 — — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges 11 — 11 — Other current assets ARS 9 — — 9 Other assets Total recurring fair value measurements $ 1,667 $ 1,647 $ 11 $ 9 Financial liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges $ (4 ) $ — $ (4 ) $ — Accrued expenses and other liabilities ARS represented the only level 3 investment held by the Company. There were no changes in the fair value of these investments for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges For foreign currency forward contracts entered into to mitigate risk from foreign currency-denominated monetary assets, liabilities, and earnings that are not designated as hedging instruments in accordance with FASB Accounting Standard Codification ("ASC") Topic 815, changes in the estimated fair value of these derivatives are recorded within “General and administrative expenses” and “Interest and other expense (income), net” in our condensed consolidated statements of operations, consistent with the nature of the underlying transactions. At September 30, 2016 , the gross notional amount of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges was approximately $165 million . The fair value of these foreign currency forward contracts was $4 million as of September 30, 2016 , and recorded in “Other current assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. At December 31, 2015, the gross notional amount of outstanding foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges was approximately $489 million . The fair value of these foreign currency forward contracts was $11 million as of December 31, 2015, and recorded in “Other current assets” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , pre-tax net gains associated with these forward contracts were not material. Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Designated as Hedges For foreign currency forward contracts entered into to hedge forecasted intercompany cash flows that are subject to foreign currency risk and which we designated as cash flow hedges in accordance with ASC Topic 815, we assess the effectiveness of these cash flow hedges at inception and on an ongoing basis to determine if the hedges are effective at providing offsetting changes in cash flows of the hedged items. We record the effective portion of changes in the estimated fair value of these derivatives in “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and subsequently reclassify the related amount of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) to earnings within “General and administrative expense” when the hedged item impacts earnings. Cash flows from these foreign currency forward contracts are classified in the same category as the cash flows associated with the hedged item in the condensed consolidated statements of cash flows. We measure hedge ineffectiveness, if any, and if it is determined that a derivative has ceased to be a highly effective hedge, we 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 $599 million at September 30, 2016 , and $381 million at December 31, 2015 . These foreign currency forward contracts have remaining maturities of 15 months or less. During the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , and 2015 , there was no ineffectiveness relating to these hedges. At September 30, 2016 , $4 million of net unrealized losses 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, 2016 and 2015 , the amount pre-tax net realized gains reclassified out of "Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)" due to maturity of these contracts was not material. 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, 2016 , and 2015 , there were no impairment charges related to assets that are measured on a non-recurring basis.

Debt

Debt	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Credit Facilities On October 11, 2013, 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 (the “Original Revolver”). As of December 31, 2015, as a result of repayments and prepayments during the prior periods, we had $1.9 billion outstanding under the Term Loan. In conjunction with the King Acquisition, we entered into three amendments to the Credit Agreement (the “Amendments”). The Amendments, among other things, provided for incremental term loans in the form of tranche A term loans in an aggregate principal amount of approximately $2.3 billion . The proceeds were provided on February 23, 2016 and were used to fund the King Acquisition. On March 31, 2016, we entered into a fourth amendment to the Credit Agreement which provided for an incremental tranche A term loan in the aggregate principal amount of $250 million (together with the $2.3 billion tranche A term loans, the "Existing TLA"); the proceeds from the incremental borrowing were used to make a voluntary prepayment on our Term Loan on March 31, 2016. In addition to this prepayment, we made voluntary prepayments on our Term Loan of $500 million and $800 million on February 25 and May 26, 2016, respectively. On August 23, 2016 we entered into a fifth amendment to the Credit Agreement (the "Fifth Amendment") that provided for new tranche A term loans of approximately $2.9 billion (the “New TLA”) and an amended revolving credit facility of $250 million (the “Revolver” and together with the New TLA, the “Credit Facilities”). Both the New TLA and Revolver are scheduled to mature on August 23, 2021 and are unsecured. The proceeds from the New TLA were primarily used to pay off the remaining outstanding principal balance on the Term Loan of $319 million and the Existing TLA of $2.5 billion . As a result of the payments to extinguish the Term Loan and Existing TLA, we wrote-off unamortized discount and deferred financing costs of $10 million , which is included in "Interest and other expense (income), net" in the condensed consolidated statement of operations. The remaining unamortized discount and deferred financing costs were deferred, along with new fees paid to the New TLA lenders, and will continue to be amortized over the maturity of the New TLA. Debt discounts and deferred financing costs incurred in relation to the Fifth Amendment were not material. Borrowings under the Revolver may be borrowed, repaid, and re-borrowed by the Company, and are available for working capital and other general corporate purposes. Up to $50 million of the Revolver may be used for letters of credit. To date, we have not drawn on the Revolver. Borrowings under the New TLA and the Revolver will bear interest, at the Company’s option, at either (a) a base rate equal to the highest of (i) the federal funds rate, plus 0.5% , (ii) the prime commercial lending rate of Bank of America, N.A. and (iii) the London Interbank Offered Rate (“LIBOR”) for an interest period of one month beginning on such day plus 1.00% , or (b) LIBOR, in each case, plus an applicable interest margin. LIBOR will be subject to a floor of 0% and the base rate will be subject to an effective floor of 1.00% . The applicable interest margin for borrowings under the New TLA and Revolver will range from 1.125% to 2.00% for LIBOR borrowings and from 0.125% to 1.00% for base rate borrowings and will be determined by reference to a pricing grid based on the Company’s credit ratings. At September 30, 2016, the New TLA bore interest at 1.77% . The Credit Agreement requires quarterly principal payments of 0.625% of the stated principal amount of the New TLA commencing on September 30, 2016, with increases to 1.250% starting on September 30, 2019 and 3.125% starting on September 30, 2020, with the remaining balance payable on the New TLA’s scheduled maturity date of August 23, 2021. On September 30, 2016, in addition to the required quarterly repayment of $18 million , we made a voluntary prepayment on our New TLA of $167 million . These payments satisfied the required quarterly principal repayments through December 31, 2018. The Company is subject to a financial covenant requiring the Company’s Consolidated Total Net Debt Ratio (as defined in the Credit Agreement) not to exceed (i) 4.00 : 1.00 on or prior to March 31, 2017, and (ii) thereafter, 3.50 : 1.00 . The Fifth Amendment contains other covenants consistent with the Credit Agreement, although the Fifth Amendment provides for additional exceptions from such covenants that are customary for transactions of this type for issuers with similar credit ratings. 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, 2016 . The Credit Facilities are guaranteed by certain of the Company’s U.S. subsidiaries, whose assets represent approximately 68% of our consolidated total assets. Unsecured Senior Notes On September 19, 2013, we issued, at par, $1.5 billion of 5.625% unsecured senior notes due September 2021 (the “Original 2021 Notes”) and $750 million of 6.125% unsecured senior notes due September 2023 (the “2023 Notes” and, together with the Original 2021 Notes, the “Notes”) in a private bond 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. The Original 2021 Notes became eligible for redemption on September 15, 2016 (and, as described below, were redeemed on October 19, 2016). We may redeem 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. In addition, we may redeem some or all of the 2023 Notes prior to September 15, 2018, at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus a “make-whole premium” and accrued and unpaid interest. Further, upon the occurrence of one or more qualified equity offerings, we may also redeem up to 35% of the aggregate principal amount of the 2023 Notes outstanding with the net cash proceeds from such offerings. On September 19, 2016, we issued $650 million of 2.300% unsecured senior notes due September 2021 (the “New 2021 Notes”) and $850 million of 3.400% unsecured senior notes due September 2026 (the “2026 Notes” and together with the New 2021 Notes, the “New Notes”) in a private offering made in accordance with Rule 144A and Regulation S under the Securities Act of 1933, as amended. In connection with the issuance of the New Notes, we entered into a registration rights agreement (the “Registration Rights Agreement”), among the Company, the Guarantors and the representatives of the initial purchasers of the New Notes. Under the Registration Rights Agreement, we are required to use commercially reasonable efforts to within one year of the issue date of the New Notes, among other things, (1) file a registration statement with respect to an offer to exchange each series of the New Notes for new notes that are substantially identical in all material respects, (except for the provisions relating to the transfer restrictions and payment of additional interest) and (2) cause the registration statement to be declared effective by the SEC under the Securities Act. We may redeem the New 2021 Notes on or after August 15, 2021, and the 2026 Notes on or after June 15, 2026, in whole or in part on any one or more occasions and in each case at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. In addition, we may redeem some or all of the New 2021 Notes prior to August 15, 2021 and some or all of the 2026 Notes prior to June 15, 2026, in each case at a price equal to 100% of the aggregate principal amount thereof plus a “make-whole” premium and accrued and unpaid interest. Upon the occurrence of certain change of control events, we will be required to offer to repurchase the Notes and New Notes at a purchase price equal to 101% of the principal amount thereof plus accrued and unpaid interest. These repurchase requirements are considered clearly and closely related to the Notes and New Notes and are not accounted for separately upon issuance. 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 certain merger and consolidation transactions. The New Notes contain customary covenants that place restrictions in certain circumstances on, among other things, the incurrence of secured debt, entry into sale or leaseback transactions, and certain merger or consolidation transactions. The Company was in compliance with the terms of the Notes and New Notes as of September 30, 2016 . Interest on the Notes and New Notes is payable semi-annually in arrears on March 15 and September 15 of each year. As of September 30, 2016 , and December 31, 2015 , we had interest payable of $7 million and $38 million, respectively, related to the Notes and New Notes recorded within “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. On September 19, 2016 we issued an irrevocable notice to the holders of the Original 2021 Notes that we were calling those notes which then had a 30-day period before payment. On October 19, 2016 we redeemed the notes in full for $1.6 billion , which resulted in a loss on extinguishment of approximately $82 million , comprised of a premium payment of $63 million and write off of unamortized discount and financing costs of $19 million . This loss was recognized at the time of extinguishment. As a result of the irrevocable notice of redemption, we presented the outstanding principal balance of the Original 2021 Notes and its related unamortized discount and deferred financing costs as “Current portion of long-term debt, net” on our condensed consolidated balance sheets as of September 30, 2016. Debt Discounts and Deferred Financing Costs Fees and discounts associated with the closing of our debt instruments are recorded as debt discount, which reduces their respective carrying values, and is amortized over their respective terms. Amortization expense is recorded within “Interest and other expense (income), net” in our condensed consolidated statement of operations. In connection with the debt financing for the Existing TLA and New Notes offering, we incurred $38 million and $17 million of discounts and financing costs, respectively, that were capitalized and recorded within "Long-term debt, net" in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. New lender fees and deferred financing costs related to the New TLA were not material. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 : interest expense was $50 million and $158 million , respectively; amortization of the debt discount and deferred financing costs was $4 million and $16 million , respectively; and commitment fees for the Revolver were not material. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015 : interest expense was $48 million and $145 million , respectively; amortization of the debt discount and deferred financing costs for the Credit Facilities and Notes was $2 million and $5 million , respectively; and commitment fees for the Original Revolver were not material. A summary of our debt is as follows (amounts in millions): At September 30, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Unamortized Net Carrying New TLA $ 2,690 $ (31 ) $ 2,659 New 2021 Notes 650 (6 ) 644 Original 2021 Notes 1,500 (19 ) 1,481 2023 Notes 750 (11 ) 739 2026 Notes 850 (11 ) 839 Total debt $ 6,440 $ (78 ) $ 6,362 Less: current portion of long-term debt (1,500 ) 19 (1,481 ) Total long-term debt $ 4,940 $ (59 ) $ 4,881 At December 31, 2015 Gross Carrying Unamortized Net Carrying Term Loan $ 1,869 $ (11 ) $ 1,858 Original 2021 Notes 1,500 (22 ) 1,478 2023 Notes 750 (12 ) 738 Total long-term debt $ 4,119 $ (45 ) $ 4,074 As of September 30, 2016 , 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, 2016 (remaining three months) $ 1,500 2017 — 2018 — 2019 103 2020 252 Thereafter 4,585 Total $ 6,440 As of September 30, 2016 , and December 31, 2015 , the carrying value of the Term Loan and New TLA approximates the fair value, based on Level 2 inputs (observable market prices in less than active markets), 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, the fair values of the Original 2021 Notes, 2023 Notes, New 2021 Notes, and 2026 Notes were $1,565 million , $825 million , $652 million , and $854 million , respectively, as of September 30, 2016 . Based on Level 2 inputs, the fair values of the Original 2021 Notes and 2023 Notes were $1,571 million and $795 million , respectively, as of December 31, 2015 . Debt Repayments On February 2, 2016, the Board of Directors authorized debt repayments of up to $1.5 billion of our outstanding debt during 2016. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we have made payments to reduce our total outstanding term loans by $1.5 billion .

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2016 and 2015 , were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (630 ) $ (4 ) $ 1 $ (633 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (20 ) (1 ) — (21 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — 1 — 1 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (650 ) $ (4 ) $ 1 $ (653 ) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities Total Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (304 ) $ — $ 1 $ (303 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (240 ) 8 (4 ) (236 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — (5 ) — (5 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ (544 ) $ 3 $ (3 ) $ (544 ) Income taxes were not provided for foreign currency translation items as these are considered indefinite investments in non-U.S. subsidiaries.

Operating Segments and Geograph

Operating Segments and Geographic Region	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments and Geographic Region	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 have three reportable operating segments (see Note 1 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements). We do not aggregate operating segments in determining and disclosing our reportable segments. The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of the impact of the change in deferred revenues and related cost of revenues with respect to certain of our online-enabled games, stock-based compensation expense, amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting, and fees and other expenses related to financings and acquisitions. 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 before income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are presented below (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues Operating income and income before income tax expense Activision $ 377 $ 591 $ 123 $ 122 Blizzard 727 369 321 128 King 459 — 138 — Reportable segments total 1,563 960 582 250 Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues / consolidated income before income tax expense: Other segments (1) 67 80 (7 ) 1 Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues (62 ) (50 ) (33 ) (26 ) Stock-based compensation expense — — (33 ) (28 ) Amortization of intangible assets — — (211 ) (1 ) Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions (2) — — (4 ) — Consolidated net revenues / operating income $ 1,568 $ 990 $ 294 $ 196 Interest and other expense (income), net 63 51 Consolidated income before income tax expense $ 231 $ 145 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues Operating income and income before income tax expense Activision $ 1,069 $ 1,208 $ 309 $ 244 Blizzard 1,760 1,106 740 383 King 1,149 — 381 — Reportable segments total 3,978 2,314 1,430 627 Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues / consolidated income before income tax expense: Other segments (1) 169 189 (15 ) — Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues 447 809 228 517 Stock-based compensation expense — — (118 ) (70 ) Amortization of intangible assets — — (495 ) (4 ) Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions (2) — — (43 ) — Consolidated net revenues / operating income $ 4,594 $ 3,312 $ 987 $ 1,070 Interest and other expense (income), net 181 151 Consolidated income before income tax expense $ 806 $ 919 (1) Other includes other income and expenses from operating segments managed outside the reportable segments, including MLG, Studios, and Distribution businesses. Other also includes unallocated corporate income and expenses. (2) Reflects fees and other expenses related to the King Acquisition, inclusive of related debt financings and integration costs. Geographic information presented below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , is based on the location of the paying customer. Net revenues from external customers by geographic region were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues by geographic region: Americas $ 796 $ 495 $ 2,411 $ 1,750 EMEA (1) 499 367 1,528 1,219 Asia Pacific 273 128 655 343 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,568 $ 990 $ 4,594 $ 3,312 (1) EMEA consists of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa geographic regions. The Company's net revenues in the U.S. were 43% and 46% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively . The Company's net revenues in the U.K. were 10% and 13% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively . No other country's net revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended September 30, 2016 or 2015 . The Company's net revenues in the U.S. were 46% and 50% of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively . The Company's net revenues in the U.K. were 10% and 13% of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015, respectively . No other country's net revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated net revenues for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 or 2015 . Net revenues by platform were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues by platform: Console $ 452 $ 420 $ 1,867 $ 1,737 PC (1) 609 359 1,421 1,114 Mobile and ancillary (2) 440 131 1,137 272 Other (3) 67 80 169 189 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,568 $ 990 $ 4,594 $ 3,312 (1) Net revenues from PC includes revenues that were historically shown as Online. (2) Net revenues from mobile and ancillary includes revenues from handheld, mobile and tablet devices, as well as non-platform specific game-related revenues such as standalone sales of toys and accessories from our Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories. (3) Net revenues from Other include revenues from MLG, Studios, and Distribution businesses. Long-lived assets by geographic region at September 30, 2016 , and December 31, 2015 , were as follows (amounts in millions): At September 30, 2016 At December 31, 2015 Long-lived assets (1) by geographic region: Americas $ 145 $ 138 EMEA 97 42 Asia Pacific 16 9 Total long-lived assets by geographic region $ 258 $ 189 (1) 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.

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	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 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 could fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to: variations in the estimated and actual level of pre-tax income or loss by jurisdiction; changes in the mix of income by tax jurisdiction (as taxes are levied at relatively lower statutory rates in foreign regions and relatively higher statutory rates in the U.S.); research and development credits; changes in enacted tax laws and regulations, rulings, and interpretations thereof, including with respect to tax credits, and state and local income taxes; developments in tax audits and other matters; and certain nondeductible expenses. Changes in judgment from the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition, or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change. The income tax expense of $32 million for the three months ended September 30, 2016 , reflects an effective tax rate of 14% , which is higher than the effective tax rate of 13% for the three months ended September 30, 2015 . The increase is due to the change in the mix of domestic and foreign earnings and increases to the Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions, partially offset by recognition of excess tax benefits from share-based payments (see Note 15 of the notes to condensed consolidated financial statements) and favorable return to provision adjustments. The income tax expense of $93 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , reflects an effective tax rate of 12% , which is lower than the effective tax rate of 20% for the nine months ended September 30, 2015 . The decrease is due to the change in the mix of domestic and foreign earnings, the recognition of excess tax benefits from share-based payments, the net benefit related to the settlement of an income tax audit during the first quarter of 2016, and favorable return to provision adjustments, partially offset by increases to the Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions. The effective tax rate of 14% for the three months ended September 30, 2016 differs from the US statutory rate of 35% , primarily due to the tax benefit from foreign earnings taxed at relatively lower statutory rates, the recognition of excess tax benefits from share-based payments, the recognition of federal and California research and development credits, favorable return to provision adjustments, and increases to the Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions. The effective tax rate of 12% for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 differs from the U.S. statutory rate of 35% , primarily due to the tax benefit from foreign earnings taxed at relatively lower statutory rates, the recognition of excess tax benefits from share-based payments, the recognition of federal and California research and development credits, the net benefit related to the settlement of an income tax audit during the first quarter of 2016, favorable return to provision adjustments, and increases to the Company’s reserve for uncertain tax positions. The overall effective income tax rate for the year will be dependent, in part, on our profitability for the remainder of the year, as well as the other factors described above. The Internal Revenue Service (“IRS”) is currently examining Activision Blizzard’s federal tax returns for the 2009, 2010, and 2011 tax years. During the second quarter of 2015, the Company transitioned the review of its transfer pricing methodology from the advanced pricing agreement review process to the IRS examination team. Their review 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 our provision for uncertain tax positions for the period in which such a determination is reached and the relevant periods thereafter. In addition, as part of purchase price accounting for the King Acquisition, the Company assumed $93 million of uncertain tax positions primarily related to the transfer pricing on King tax years occurring prior to the King Acquisition. The Company is currently in negotiations with the relevant jurisdictions and taxing authorities, which could result in a different allocation of profits and losses between the relevant jurisdictions. Vivendi Games' results for the period from 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, while Vivendi Games' results for the period from July 10, 2008 through December 31, 2008 are included in the consolidated federal and certain foreign, state and local income tax returns filed by Activision Blizzard. IRS Appeals proceedings concerning Vivendi Games’ tax return for the 2008 tax year were concluded during July 2016, but that year remains open to examination by other major taxing authorities. The resolution of the 2008 IRS Appeals process did not have a material impact to the Company’s condensed consolidated financial statements. Certain of our subsidiaries are under examination or investigation or may be subject to examination or investigation by tax authorities in various jurisdictions, including France. These proceedings may lead to adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes or provisions for uncertain tax positions. Such proceedings may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations in the period or periods in which the matters are resolved or in which appropriate tax provisions are taken into account in our financial statements. If we were to receive a materially adverse assessment from a taxing jurisdiction, we would plan to vigorously contest it and consider all of our options, including the pursuit of judicial remedies. The final resolution of the Company’s global tax disputes is uncertain. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of disputes, including the probability determination and estimation of the potential exposure. Based on current information, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the ultimate resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations, except as noted above. However, the Company’s global tax disputes could have a material adverse effect on our consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations in the period or periods in which the matters are ultimately resolved or in which appropriate tax provisions are taken into account in our financial statements. In 2013, in connection with a share repurchase from Vivendi (the "Purchase Transaction"), we assumed certain tax attributes, generally consisting of 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. For the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , we utilized $291 million of the NOL, which resulted in a tax benefit of $ 102 million , and a corresponding reserve of $102 million was established. As of September 30, 2016 , an indemnification asset of $191 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.”

Computation of Basic_Diluted Ea

Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (amounts in millions, except per share data): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Consolidated net income $ 199 $ 127 $ 713 $ 733 Less: Distributed earnings to unvested stock-based awards that participate in earnings — — (2 ) (4 ) Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested stock-based awards that participate in earnings (1 ) (2 ) (2 ) (6 ) Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share — income available to common shareholders $ 198 $ 125 $ 709 $ 723 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding 742 730 739 727 Effect of potential dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method: Employee stock options and awards 14 9 14 9 Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding plus dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method 756 739 753 736 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.27 $ 0.17 $ 0.96 $ 0.99 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.26 $ 0.17 $ 0.94 $ 0.98 Certain of our unvested restricted stock rights (including certain restricted stock units and performance shares) met the definition of participating securities as they participate in earnings based on their rights to dividends or dividend equivalents. Therefore, we are required to use the two-class method in our computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, on a weighted-average basis, we had outstanding unvested restricted stock rights with respect to 2 million and 3 million shares of common stock, respectively, that are participating in earnings. For the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, on a weighted-average basis, we had outstanding unvested restricted stock rights with respect to 8 million and 9 million shares of common stock, respectively, that are participating in earnings. Certain of our employee-related restricted stock rights and options 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 10 million shares are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016, as their respective performance measures had not yet been met. Approximately 4 million shares are not included in the computation of diluted earnings per share for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2015, as their respective performance measures had not yet 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. Therefore, options to acquire 1 million and 4 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, 2016, respectively, and options to acquire 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, 2015, as the effect of their inclusion would be anti-dilutive.

Capital Transactions

Capital Transactions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Transactions	Capital Transactions Repurchase Program On February 3, 2015, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which we may repurchase up to $750 million of our common stock during the two-year period from February 9, 2015 through February 8, 2017. As of September 30, 2016 , we have not repurchased any shares under this program. Dividends On February 2, 2016, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.26 per common share, payable on May 11, 2016, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 30, 2016. On May 11, 2016, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $192 million to such shareholders, and on May 27, 2016, we made related dividend equivalent payments of $3 million to certain holders of restricted stock rights. On February 3, 2015, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.23 per common share, payable on May 13, 2015, to shareholders of record at the close of business on March 30, 2015. On May 13, 2015, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $167 million to such shareholders, and on May 29, 2015, we made related dividend equivalent payments of $3 million to certain holders of restricted stock rights.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings SEC regulations govern disclosure of legal proceedings in periodic reports and 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. 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.

Acquisitions

Acquisitions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Acquisitions	Acquisitions King Digital Entertainment plc On February 23, 2016 (the "King Closing Date"), we completed the King Acquisition under the terms of the Transaction Agreement, purchasing all of the outstanding shares of King. As a result, King became a wholly owned subsidiary of Activision Blizzard. King is a leading interactive entertainment company that develops and distributes games on mobile platforms, such as Android and iOS, and on online and social platforms, such as Facebook and the king.com websites. King’s results of operations since the King Closing Date are included in our condensed consolidated financial statements. We made this acquisition because we believe that the addition of King's highly-complementary mobile business will position the Company as a global leader in interactive entertainment across mobile, console, and PC platforms, as well as positioning us for future growth. The aggregate purchase price of the King Acquisition was approximately $5.8 billion , which was paid on the King Closing Date and funded primarily with $3.6 billion of existing cash and $2.2 billion of cash from new debt issued by the Company. The total aggregate purchase price for King was comprised of (amounts in millions): Cash consideration for outstanding King common stock and vested equity options and awards (1) $ 5,730 Fair value of King’s existing vested and unvested stock options and awards assumed (2) 98 Total purchase price $ 5,828 (1) Represents the cash consideration paid based on $18.00 per share to common stock holders of King and the fair value of King's existing vested options and awards that were cash settled at the King Closing Date for the portion of the fair value related to pre-combination services. No future services are required. (2) Represents the fair value of King’s existing vested and unvested stock options and awards that were assumed and replaced with Activision Blizzard equity or deferred cash awards. The purchase price includes the portion of fair value related to pre-combination services. The fair value of the options and awards assumed was determined using binomial-lattice and Monte Carlo models with the following assumptions: (a) volatility of 36% , (b) time varying risk free interest rates based on the U.S. Treasury yield curves, (c) an expected life ranging from approximately 0.1 years to 7.6 years , and (d) an expected dividend yield of 0.9% . See additional discussion under "Stock-Based Compensation" below. The Company identified and recorded assets acquired and liabilities assumed at their estimated fair values at the King Closing Date, and allocated the remaining value of approximately $2.7 billion to goodwill. The values assigned to certain acquired assets and liabilities are preliminary, and are based on information available as of the date of this Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q. Additional information may become available subsequently and may result in changes in the values allocated to various assets and liabilities, including the fair value of identified intangible assets, deferred income taxes, and contingent liabilities. Any changes in the fair values of the assets acquired and liabilities assumed during the measurement period of up to 12 months from the King Closing Date may result in material adjustments to goodwill. During the three months ended September 30, 2016, we recorded a measurement period adjustment for certain liabilities recorded in our preliminary purchase price allocation based on additional analysis of facts and circumstances that existed as of the King Closing Date. The adjustment resulted in an increase to other liabilities and goodwill and was not material. The preliminary purchase price allocation was as follows (amounts in millions): February 23, 2016 Estimated useful lives Tangible assets and liabilities assumed: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,151 Accounts receivable 162 Other current assets 72 Property and equipment 57 2 - 7 years Deferred income tax assets, net 27 Other assets 47 Accounts payable (9 ) Accrued expense and other liabilities (272 ) Other liabilities (128 ) Deferred income tax liabilities, net (52 ) Intangible assets Internally-developed franchises 845 3 - 5 years Customer base 609 2 years Developed software 580 3 - 4 years Trademark 46 7 years Goodwill 2,693 Total purchase price $ 5,828 During the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , the Company incurred $38 million of expenses related to the King Acquisition, which are included within "General and administrative" in the condensed consolidated statements of operations. In connection with the debt financing that occurred on the King Closing Date, we incurred $38 million of issuance costs that were capitalized and recorded within "Long-term debt, net" on our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The amortization of these capitalized costs was not material to our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Stock-Based Compensation In connection with the King Acquisition, a majority of the outstanding King options and awards that were unvested as of the King Closing Date were converted into equivalent options and awards with respect to shares of the Company’s common stock, using an equity award exchange ratio calculated in accordance with the Transaction Agreement. As a result, replacement equity options and awards of 10 million and 3 million , respectively, were issued in connection with the King Acquisition. The portion of the fair value related to pre-combination services of $76 million was included in the purchase price while the remaining fair value will be recognized over the remaining service periods. As of September 30, 2016 , the future expense for the converted King unvested options and awards was approximately $53 million , which will be recognized over a weighted average service period of approximately 1.8 years . The remaining portion of outstanding unvested awards that were assumed were replaced with deferred cash awards. The cash proceeds were placed in an escrow-like account with the cash releases to occur based on the awards' original vesting schedule upon future service being rendered. The cash associated with these awards is recorded in "Other current assets" and "Other assets" in our condensed consolidated balance sheet. The portion of the fair value related to pre-combination services of $22 million was included in the purchase price while the remaining fair value of approximately $9 million will be recognized over the remaining service periods. A portion of the cash proceeds placed in an escrow-like account were released to award holders, but the amount was not material. Identifiable Intangible Assets Acquired and Goodwill The preliminary fair values of the identifiable intangible assets acquired from King were estimated using an income approach, with the exception of the customer base, which was estimated using a cost approach. The fair value of the intangibles using the income approach was determined with the following key assumptions: (a) a weighted average cost of capital of 13% , (b) long-term revenue decay rates ranging from 0% to 65% , and (c) royalty rates ranging from 0.5% to 8% . The fair value of the intangibles using the cost approach was based on amounts that would be required to replace the asset ( i.e., replacement cost). The Internally-developed franchises, Customer base, Developed software, and Trademark intangible assets will be amortized to "Cost of revenues - subscription, licensing, and other revenues - software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses," "Sales and marketing," "Cost of revenues - subscription, licensing, and other revenues - software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses," and "General and administrative," respectively. The intangible assets will be amortized over their estimated useful lives in proportion to the economic benefits received. The $2.7 billion of goodwill recognized is primarily attributable to the benefits the Company expects to derive from accelerated expansion as an interactive entertainment provider in the mobile sector, future franchises, and technology, as well as the management team's proven ability to create future games and franchises. Approximately $620 million of the goodwill is expected to be deductible for tax purposes in the U.S. Contingent Liabilities Assumed As a result of the King Acquisition, we assumed contingent liabilities related to contingent consideration associated with King's previous acquisitions of Nonstop Games Oy and Z2Live, Inc. The remaining contingent consideration for Non Stop Games Oy is linked to amounts generated from games launched by Nonstop Games Oy over a specified period. The range of the potential undiscounted amount of all future payments that the Company could be required to make under the contingent consideration arrangement is from $0 to $84 million . The remaining contingent consideration for Z2Live, Inc. is linked to amounts generated from specific games launched by Z2Live, Inc. within a defined period. The potential range of undiscounted future payments that the Company could be required to make under the contingent consideration arrangement is from $0 to $75 million . The fair value of the contingent consideration arrangement at the King Closing date and as of September 30, 2016 , for Nonstop Games Oy and Z2Live, Inc. was immaterial. King Net Revenue and Earnings The amount of net revenue and earnings attributable to King in the Company’s condensed consolidated statement of operations during the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , are included in the table below. The amounts presented represent the net revenues and earnings after adjustments for purchase price accounting, inclusive of amortization of intangible assets, share-based payments, and deferral of revenues and related cost of revenues. (in millions) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Net revenues $ 447 $ 1,088 Net loss $ (72 ) $ (171 ) Pro Forma Financial Information The unaudited financial information in the table below summarizes the combined results of operations of the Company and King, on a pro forma basis, as though the acquisition had occurred on January 1, 2015. The pro forma financial information presented includes the effects of adjustments related to amortization charges from acquired intangible assets, employee compensation from replacement equity awards issued in the King Acquisition and the profit sharing bonus plan established as part of the King Acquisition, and interest expense from the new debt, among other adjustments. We also adjusted for Activision Blizzard and King non-recurring acquisition related costs of approximately $69 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Non-recurring acquisition related costs for the three months ended September 30, 2016 were not material. The pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the King Acquisition, and any borrowings undertaken to finance the King Acquisition, had taken place at the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor does it intend to be a projection of future results. For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues $ 1,568 $ 1,473 $ 4,873 $ 4,862 Net income $ 218 $ 89 $ 739 $ 635 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.29 $ 0.12 $ 0.99 $ 0.86 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.29 $ 0.12 $ 0.97 $ 0.85

Recently Issued Accounting Pron

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently issued accounting pronouncements Recently adopted accounting pronouncements 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. We adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2016, and applied it prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Consolidations In February 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to consolidations. The new standard amends certain requirements for determining whether a variable interest entity must be consolidated. We adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Debt Issuance Costs In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. The new standard requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. We adopted this change in accounting principle as of January 1, 2016, and applied it retrospectively for each period presented. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Internal-Use Software In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to internal-use software. The new standard relates to a customer’s accounting for fees paid in cloud computing arrangements. The amendment provides guidance for customers to determine whether such arrangements include software licenses. If a cloud arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2016, and applied it prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Business Combinations In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to business combinations. The new standard requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment, including the impact on prior periods, on provisional amounts recorded at the acquisition date as a result of the business combination be recognized in the reporting period the adjustment is identified. The standard also requires separate presentation on the face of the income statement, or disclosure in the notes, of the portion of the amount recorded in current period earnings by line item. Prior to the issuance of the standard, such adjustments to provisional amounts were recognized retrospectively. We adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2016, and applied it prospectively. No measurement period adjustments impacting earnings occurred as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Share-Based Payments In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify accounting for share-based payments. The new standard, amongst other things: • requires that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies be recorded as an income tax expense or benefit in the statement of operations and that the tax effects of exercised or vested awards be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur; • requires excess tax benefits from share-based payments to be reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows; and • permits an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate, as currently required, or account for forfeitures when they occur. We elected to early adopt this new standard in the third quarter of 2016, which requires us to reflect any adjustments as of January 1, 2016. As part of the adoption, we made certain elections, including the following: • to apply the presentation requirements for our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows related to excess tax benefits retrospectively to all periods presented; and • to continue to estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate. As a result of the adoption we recognized excess tax benefits of $12 million and $ 63 million as a reduction to income tax expense in our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. The adoption of the standard impacted our previously reported quarterly results and financial positions for fiscal year 2016 as follows: For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Amounts in millions, except per share data) As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted Condensed consolidated statements of operations: Income before income tax expense $ 576 $ 576 $ 167 $ 167 $ 409 $ 409 Income tax expense $ 113 $ 62 $ 40 $ 16 $ 73 $ 46 Net Income $ 463 $ 514 $ 127 $ 151 $ 336 $ 363 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.62 $ 0.69 $ 0.17 $ 0.20 $ 0.45 $ 0.49 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.61 $ 0.68 $ 0.17 $ 0.20 $ 0.45 $ 0.48 Diluted-weighted average number of common shares outstanding 748 751 750 753 746 749 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Amounts in millions) As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 788 $ 840 $ 309 $ 337 Net cash provided by financing activities $ 798 $ 746 $ 1,807 $ 1,779 As of June 30, 2016 As of March 31, 2016 (Amounts in millions) As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted Condensed consolidated balance sheets: Additional paid-in capital $ 10,425 $ 10,374 $ 10,343 $ 10,316 Retained earnings $ 4,366 $ 4,417 $ 4,239 $ 4,266 Given our retrospective application of the presentation requirements for our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows related to excess tax benefits, our net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in financing activities increased $33 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The other provisions of the standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Statement of Cash Flows In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification of certain cash items in the statement of cash flows. The new standard requires, among other things, that cash payments for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs should be classified as cash outflows for financing activities, as opposed to operating activities as is required under existing guidance. We elected to early adopt this standard in the current period and applied it retrospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Revenue recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. 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 for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 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 impact of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. While we are currently evaluating the method of adoption and the impact of the new revenue standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, we believe the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard may have a significant impact on the accounting for our sales of our games with significant online functionality for which we do not have vendor-specific-objective-evidence ("VSOE") for unspecified future updates and ongoing online services provided. Under the current accounting standards, VSOE for undelivered elements is required. This requirement is eliminated under the new standard. Accordingly, we may be required to recognize as revenue a portion of the sales price upon delivery of the software, as compared to the current requirement of recognizing the entire sales price ratably over an estimated offering period. While we are still currently evaluating the impact of the new standard, the impact of this identified difference in accounting may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for leases. The new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic. The new standard, among other things, requires a lessee to classify a lease as either a operating or financing lease and lessees will need to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for their leases. The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment for initial direct costs, lease incentives received and any prepaid lease payments. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense, while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. Inventory In July 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the measurement of inventory which requires inventory within the scope of the guidance to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. Financial Instruments In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new standard, amongst other things, generally requires companies to measure investments in other entities, except those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. The new standard also simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and the guidance should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity investments without readily determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements.

Description of Business and B24

Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation (Policies)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Microtransaction Revenues	Microtransaction Revenues Microtransaction revenues are derived from the sale of virtual goods and currencies to our players to enhance their gameplay experience. Proceeds from the sales of virtual goods and currencies are initially recorded in deferred revenues. Proceeds from the sales of virtual currencies are recognized as a player uses the virtual goods purchased with the virtual currency. We categorize our virtual goods as either consumable or durable. Consumable virtual goods represent goods that can be consumed by a specific player action; accordingly, we recognize revenues from the sale of consumable virtual goods as the goods are consumed. Durable virtual goods represent goods that are accessible to the player over an extended period of time. We recognize revenues from the sale of durable virtual goods ratably over the period of time the goods are available to the player, which is generally the estimated service period of the game.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently issued accounting pronouncements Recently adopted accounting pronouncements 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. We adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2016, and applied it prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Consolidations In February 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to consolidations. The new standard amends certain requirements for determining whether a variable interest entity must be consolidated. We adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2016. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Debt Issuance Costs In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the presentation of debt issuance costs in financial statements. The new standard requires an entity to present such costs in the balance sheet as a direct deduction from the related debt liability rather than as an asset. Amortization of the costs will continue to be reported as interest expense. We adopted this change in accounting principle as of January 1, 2016, and applied it retrospectively for each period presented. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Internal-Use Software In April 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to internal-use software. The new standard relates to a customer’s accounting for fees paid in cloud computing arrangements. The amendment provides guidance for customers to determine whether such arrangements include software licenses. If a cloud arrangement includes a software license, then the customer should account for the software license element of the arrangement consistent with the acquisition of other software licenses. If a cloud computing arrangement does not include a software license, the customer should account for the arrangement as a service contract. We adopted this standard as of January 1, 2016, and applied it prospectively. The adoption of this guidance did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated financial statements. Business Combinations In September 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to business combinations. The new standard requires that the cumulative impact of a measurement period adjustment, including the impact on prior periods, on provisional amounts recorded at the acquisition date as a result of the business combination be recognized in the reporting period the adjustment is identified. The standard also requires separate presentation on the face of the income statement, or disclosure in the notes, of the portion of the amount recorded in current period earnings by line item. Prior to the issuance of the standard, such adjustments to provisional amounts were recognized retrospectively. We adopted this new standard as of January 1, 2016, and applied it prospectively. No measurement period adjustments impacting earnings occurred as of and for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 . Share-Based Payments In March 2016, the FASB issued new guidance to simplify accounting for share-based payments. The new standard, amongst other things: • requires that all excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies be recorded as an income tax expense or benefit in the statement of operations and that the tax effects of exercised or vested awards be treated as discrete items in the reporting period in which they occur; • requires excess tax benefits from share-based payments to be reported as operating activities on the statement of cash flows; and • permits an accounting policy election to either estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate, as currently required, or account for forfeitures when they occur. We elected to early adopt this new standard in the third quarter of 2016, which requires us to reflect any adjustments as of January 1, 2016. As part of the adoption, we made certain elections, including the following: • to apply the presentation requirements for our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows related to excess tax benefits retrospectively to all periods presented; and • to continue to estimate the number of awards that are expected to vest using an estimated forfeiture rate. As a result of the adoption we recognized excess tax benefits of $12 million and $ 63 million as a reduction to income tax expense in our condensed consolidated statement of operations for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 , respectively. The adoption of the standard impacted our previously reported quarterly results and financial positions for fiscal year 2016 as follows: For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Amounts in millions, except per share data) As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted Condensed consolidated statements of operations: Income before income tax expense $ 576 $ 576 $ 167 $ 167 $ 409 $ 409 Income tax expense $ 113 $ 62 $ 40 $ 16 $ 73 $ 46 Net Income $ 463 $ 514 $ 127 $ 151 $ 336 $ 363 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.62 $ 0.69 $ 0.17 $ 0.20 $ 0.45 $ 0.49 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.61 $ 0.68 $ 0.17 $ 0.20 $ 0.45 $ 0.48 Diluted-weighted average number of common shares outstanding 748 751 750 753 746 749 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Amounts in millions) As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 788 $ 840 $ 309 $ 337 Net cash provided by financing activities $ 798 $ 746 $ 1,807 $ 1,779 As of June 30, 2016 As of March 31, 2016 (Amounts in millions) As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted Condensed consolidated balance sheets: Additional paid-in capital $ 10,425 $ 10,374 $ 10,343 $ 10,316 Retained earnings $ 4,366 $ 4,417 $ 4,239 $ 4,266 Given our retrospective application of the presentation requirements for our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows related to excess tax benefits, our net cash provided by operating activities and net cash used in financing activities increased $33 million for the nine months ended September 30, 2015. The other provisions of the standard did not have a material impact on our financial statements. Statement of Cash Flows In August 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the classification of certain cash items in the statement of cash flows. The new standard requires, among other things, that cash payments for debt prepayment or debt extinguishment costs should be classified as cash outflows for financing activities, as opposed to operating activities as is required under existing guidance. We elected to early adopt this standard in the current period and applied it retrospectively. The adoption of this standard did not have a material impact on our condensed consolidated statement of cash flows. Recent accounting pronouncements not yet adopted Revenue recognition In May 2014, the FASB issued new accounting guidance related to revenue recognition. The new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic and eliminate all industry-specific guidance. 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 for fiscal years and interim periods within those years beginning after December 15, 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 impact of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. While we are currently evaluating the method of adoption and the impact of the new revenue standard on our consolidated financial statements and related disclosures, we believe the adoption of the new revenue recognition standard may have a significant impact on the accounting for our sales of our games with significant online functionality for which we do not have vendor-specific-objective-evidence ("VSOE") for unspecified future updates and ongoing online services provided. Under the current accounting standards, VSOE for undelivered elements is required. This requirement is eliminated under the new standard. Accordingly, we may be required to recognize as revenue a portion of the sales price upon delivery of the software, as compared to the current requirement of recognizing the entire sales price ratably over an estimated offering period. While we are still currently evaluating the impact of the new standard, the impact of this identified difference in accounting may have a material impact on our consolidated financial statements. Leases In February 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the accounting for leases. The new standard will replace all current U.S. GAAP guidance on this topic. The new standard, among other things, requires a lessee to classify a lease as either a operating or financing lease and lessees will need to recognize a lease liability and a right-of-use asset for their leases. The liability will be equal to the present value of lease payments. The asset will be based on the liability, subject to adjustment for initial direct costs, lease incentives received and any prepaid lease payments. Operating leases will result in straight-line expense, while finance leases will result in a front-loaded expense pattern. Classification will be based on criteria that are largely similar to those applied in current lease accounting. The standard is effective for fiscal years, and interim periods within those fiscal years, beginning after December 15, 2018. Early adoption is permitted. The new standard must be adopted using a modified retrospective transition and will require application of the new guidance at the beginning of the earliest comparative period presented. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. Inventory In July 2015, the FASB issued new guidance related to the measurement of inventory which requires inventory within the scope of the guidance to be measured at the lower of cost and net realizable value. Net realizable value is defined as the estimated selling prices in the ordinary course of business, less reasonably predictable costs of completion, disposal, and transportation. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2016 and should be applied prospectively. Early adoption is permitted. We are evaluating the impact, if any, of adopting this new accounting guidance on our financial statements. Financial Instruments In January 2016, the FASB issued new guidance related to the recognition and measurement of financial assets and financial liabilities. The new standard, amongst other things, generally requires companies to measure investments in other entities, except those accounted for under the equity method, at fair value and recognize any changes in fair value in net income. The new standard also simplifies the impairment assessment of equity investments without readily determinable fair values. The new standard is effective for fiscal years beginning after December 15, 2017, and the guidance should be applied by means of a cumulative-effect adjustment to the balance sheet as of the beginning of the fiscal year of adoption. The amendments related to equity investments without readily determinable fair values (including disclosure requirements) should be applied prospectively to equity investments that exist as of the date of adoption. We are evaluating the impact of this new accounting guidance on our financial statements.

Inventories, Net (Tables)

Inventories, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of inventories	Our inventories, net consist of the following (amounts in millions): At September 30, 2016 At December 31, 2015 Finished goods $ 103 $ 101 Purchased parts and components 28 27 Inventories, net $ 131 $ 128

Software Development and Inte26

Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Software Development Costs and Intellectual Property Licenses
Summarizes the components of 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 September 30, 2016 At December 31, 2015 Internally-developed software costs $ 304 $ 266 Payments made to third-party software developers 174 150 Total software development costs $ 478 $ 416 Intellectual property licenses $ 3 $ 30
Amortization of software development costs and intellectual property licenses	Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses was the following (amounts in millions): 23 For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses $ 47 $ 80 $ 260 $ 312

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Schedule of finite-lived intangible assets	Intangible assets, net consist of the following (amounts in millions): At September 30, 2016 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: Internally-developed franchises 3 - 11 years $ 1,154 $ (495 ) $ 659 Developed software 3 - 5 years 595 (102 ) 493 Customer base 2 years 617 (188 ) 429 Trade names 7 - 10 years 54 (5 ) 49 Other 1 - 8 years 18 (11 ) 7 Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 2,438 $ (801 ) $ 1,637 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 2,070 At December 31, 2015 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: License agreements and other 1 - 10 years $ 116 $ (93 ) $ 23 Internally-developed franchises 11 years 309 (298 ) 11 Developed software 5 years 15 — 15 Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 440 $ (391 ) $ 49 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 482
Schedule of indefinite-lived intangible assets	Intangible assets, net consist of the following (amounts in millions): At September 30, 2016 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: Internally-developed franchises 3 - 11 years $ 1,154 $ (495 ) $ 659 Developed software 3 - 5 years 595 (102 ) 493 Customer base 2 years 617 (188 ) 429 Trade names 7 - 10 years 54 (5 ) 49 Other 1 - 8 years 18 (11 ) 7 Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 2,438 $ (801 ) $ 1,637 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 2,070 At December 31, 2015 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: License agreements and other 1 - 10 years $ 116 $ (93 ) $ 23 Internally-developed franchises 11 years 309 (298 ) 11 Developed software 5 years 15 — 15 Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 440 $ (391 ) $ 49 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 482
Schedule of finite lived intangible assets, future amortization expense	At September 30, 2016 , future amortization of definite-lived intangible assets is estimated as follows (amounts in millions): 2016 (remaining three months) $ 211 2017 777 2018 361 2019 201 2020 66 Thereafter 21 Total $ 1,637

Goodwill (Tables)

Goodwill (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The changes in the carrying amount of goodwill by operating segment for the nine months ended September 30, 2016 , are as follows (amounts in millions): Activision Blizzard King Other Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ 6,905 $ 178 $ — $ 12 $ 7,095 Additions through acquisition — — 2,693 — 2,693 Other (1 ) — — — (1 ) Balance at September 30, 2016 $ 6,904 $ 178 $ 2,693 $ 12 $ 9,787

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value, assets measured on a recurring and/or non-recurring basis	The table below segregates all 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, 2016 Using As of September 30, 2016 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) Balance Sheet Classification Financial Assets: Recurring fair value measurements: Money market funds $ 3,801 $ 3,801 $ — $ — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign government treasury bills 39 39 — — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges 4 — 4 — Other current assets Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges 1 — 1 — Other current assets Auction rate securities (“ARS”) 9 — — 9 Other assets Total recurring fair value measurements $ 3,854 $ 3,840 $ 5 $ 9 Financial liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges $ (5 ) $ — $ (5 ) $ — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2015 Using As of December 31, 2015 Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets Significant Other Observable Inputs Significant Unobservable Inputs Balance Sheet Classification Financial Assets: Recurring fair value measurements: Money market funds $ 1,613 $ 1,613 $ — $ — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign government treasury bills 34 34 — — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges 11 — 11 — Other current assets ARS 9 — — 9 Other assets Total recurring fair value measurements $ 1,667 $ 1,647 $ 11 $ 9 Financial liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges $ (4 ) $ — $ (4 ) $ — Accrued expenses and other liabilities

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of debt	A summary of our debt is as follows (amounts in millions): At September 30, 2016 Gross Carrying Amount Unamortized Net Carrying New TLA $ 2,690 $ (31 ) $ 2,659 New 2021 Notes 650 (6 ) 644 Original 2021 Notes 1,500 (19 ) 1,481 2023 Notes 750 (11 ) 739 2026 Notes 850 (11 ) 839 Total debt $ 6,440 $ (78 ) $ 6,362 Less: current portion of long-term debt (1,500 ) 19 (1,481 ) Total long-term debt $ 4,940 $ (59 ) $ 4,881 At December 31, 2015 Gross Carrying Unamortized Net Carrying Term Loan $ 1,869 $ (11 ) $ 1,858 Original 2021 Notes 1,500 (22 ) 1,478 2023 Notes 750 (12 ) 738 Total long-term debt $ 4,119 $ (45 ) $ 4,074
Schedule of maturities of debt	As of September 30, 2016 , 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, 2016 (remaining three months) $ 1,500 2017 — 2018 — 2019 103 2020 252 Thereafter 4,585 Total $ 6,440

Accumulated Other Comprehensi31

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) at September 30, 2016 and 2015 , were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities Total Balance at December 31, 2015 $ (630 ) $ (4 ) $ 1 $ (633 ) Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications (20 ) (1 ) — (21 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — 1 — 1 Balance at September 30, 2016 $ (650 ) $ (4 ) $ 1 $ (653 ) For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2015 Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities Total Balance at December 31, 2014 $ (304 ) $ — $ 1 $ (303 ) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (240 ) 8 (4 ) (236 ) Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) — (5 ) — (5 ) Balance at September 30, 2015 $ (544 ) $ 3 $ (3 ) $ (544 )

Operating Segments and Geogra32

Operating Segments and Geographic Region (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Schedule of operating segments and reconciliations of total net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues from external customers and consolidated income before income tax expense	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 before income tax expense for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 are presented below (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues Operating income and income before income tax expense Activision $ 377 $ 591 $ 123 $ 122 Blizzard 727 369 321 128 King 459 — 138 — Reportable segments total 1,563 960 582 250 Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues / consolidated income before income tax expense: Other segments (1) 67 80 (7 ) 1 Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues (62 ) (50 ) (33 ) (26 ) Stock-based compensation expense — — (33 ) (28 ) Amortization of intangible assets — — (211 ) (1 ) Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions (2) — — (4 ) — Consolidated net revenues / operating income $ 1,568 $ 990 $ 294 $ 196 Interest and other expense (income), net 63 51 Consolidated income before income tax expense $ 231 $ 145 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues Operating income and income before income tax expense Activision $ 1,069 $ 1,208 $ 309 $ 244 Blizzard 1,760 1,106 740 383 King 1,149 — 381 — Reportable segments total 3,978 2,314 1,430 627 Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues / consolidated income before income tax expense: Other segments (1) 169 189 (15 ) — Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues 447 809 228 517 Stock-based compensation expense — — (118 ) (70 ) Amortization of intangible assets — — (495 ) (4 ) Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions (2) — — (43 ) — Consolidated net revenues / operating income $ 4,594 $ 3,312 $ 987 $ 1,070 Interest and other expense (income), net 181 151 Consolidated income before income tax expense $ 806 $ 919 (1) Other includes other income and expenses from operating segments managed outside the reportable segments, including MLG, Studios, and Distribution businesses. Other also includes unallocated corporate income and expenses. (2) Reflects fees and other expenses related to the King Acquisition, inclusive of related debt financings and integration costs.
Schedule of net revenues from external customers by geographic region	Geographic information presented below for the three and nine months ended September 30, 2016 and 2015 , is based on the location of the paying customer. Net revenues from external customers by geographic region were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues by geographic region: Americas $ 796 $ 495 $ 2,411 $ 1,750 EMEA (1) 499 367 1,528 1,219 Asia Pacific 273 128 655 343 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,568 $ 990 $ 4,594 $ 3,312 (1) EMEA consists of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa geographic regions.
Schedule of net revenues by platform	Net revenues by platform were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues by platform: Console $ 452 $ 420 $ 1,867 $ 1,737 PC (1) 609 359 1,421 1,114 Mobile and ancillary (2) 440 131 1,137 272 Other (3) 67 80 169 189 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,568 $ 990 $ 4,594 $ 3,312 (1) Net revenues from PC includes revenues that were historically shown as Online. (2) Net revenues from mobile and ancillary includes revenues from handheld, mobile and tablet devices, as well as non-platform specific game-related revenues such as standalone sales of toys and accessories from our Skylanders franchise and other physical merchandise and accessories. (3) Net revenues from Other include revenues from MLG, Studios, and Distribution businesses.
Long-lived assets by geographic region	Long-lived assets by geographic region at September 30, 2016 , and December 31, 2015 , were as follows (amounts in millions): At September 30, 2016 At December 31, 2015 Long-lived assets (1) by geographic region: Americas $ 145 $ 138 EMEA 97 42 Asia Pacific 16 9 Total long-lived assets by geographic region $ 258 $ 189 (1) 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.

Computation of Basic_Diluted 33

Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Schedule of computation of earnings per share	The following table sets forth the computation of basic and diluted earnings per common share (amounts in millions, except per share data): For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 2015 2016 2015 Numerator: Consolidated net income $ 199 $ 127 $ 713 $ 733 Less: Distributed earnings to unvested stock-based awards that participate in earnings — — (2 ) (4 ) Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested stock-based awards that participate in earnings (1 ) (2 ) (2 ) (6 ) Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share — income available to common shareholders $ 198 $ 125 $ 709 $ 723 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding 742 730 739 727 Effect of potential dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method: Employee stock options and awards 14 9 14 9 Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding plus dilutive common shares under the treasury stock method 756 739 753 736 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.27 $ 0.17 $ 0.96 $ 0.99 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.26 $ 0.17 $ 0.94 $ 0.98

Acquisitions (Tables)

Acquisitions (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
Business Combinations [Abstract]
Schedule of Purchase Price	The total aggregate purchase price for King was comprised of (amounts in millions): Cash consideration for outstanding King common stock and vested equity options and awards (1) $ 5,730 Fair value of King’s existing vested and unvested stock options and awards assumed (2) 98 Total purchase price $ 5,828 (1) Represents the cash consideration paid based on $18.00 per share to common stock holders of King and the fair value of King's existing vested options and awards that were cash settled at the King Closing Date for the portion of the fair value related to pre-combination services. No future services are required. (2) Represents the fair value of King’s existing vested and unvested stock options and awards that were assumed and replaced with Activision Blizzard equity or deferred cash awards. The purchase price includes the portion of fair value related to pre-combination services. The fair value of the options and awards assumed was determined using binomial-lattice and Monte Carlo models with the following assumptions: (a) volatility of 36% , (b) time varying risk free interest rates based on the U.S. Treasury yield curves, (c) an expected life ranging from approximately 0.1 years to 7.6 years , and (d) an expected dividend yield of 0.9% . See additional discussion under "Stock-Based Compensation" below.
Schedule of Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation	The preliminary purchase price allocation was as follows (amounts in millions): February 23, 2016 Estimated useful lives Tangible assets and liabilities assumed: Cash and cash equivalents $ 1,151 Accounts receivable 162 Other current assets 72 Property and equipment 57 2 - 7 years Deferred income tax assets, net 27 Other assets 47 Accounts payable (9 ) Accrued expense and other liabilities (272 ) Other liabilities (128 ) Deferred income tax liabilities, net (52 ) Intangible assets Internally-developed franchises 845 3 - 5 years Customer base 609 2 years Developed software 580 3 - 4 years Trademark 46 7 years Goodwill 2,693 Total purchase price $ 5,828
Schedule of Pro Forma Financial Information	The pro forma financial information as presented below is for informational purposes only and is not necessarily indicative of the results of operations that would have been achieved if the King Acquisition, and any borrowings undertaken to finance the King Acquisition, had taken place at the beginning of the earliest period presented, nor does it intend to be a projection of future results. For the Three Months Ended September 30, For the Nine Months Ended September 30, (in millions) 2016 2015 2016 2015 Net revenues $ 1,568 $ 1,473 $ 4,873 $ 4,862 Net income $ 218 $ 89 $ 739 $ 635 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.29 $ 0.12 $ 0.99 $ 0.86 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.29 $ 0.12 $ 0.97 $ 0.85 The amounts presented represent the net revenues and earnings after adjustments for purchase price accounting, inclusive of amortization of intangible assets, share-based payments, and deferral of revenues and related cost of revenues. (in millions) For the Three Months Ended September 30, 2016 For the Nine Months Ended September 30, 2016 Net revenues $ 447 $ 1,088 Net loss $ (72 ) $ (171 )

Recently Issued Accounting Pr35

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Tables)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016
New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles [Abstract]
Schedule of New Accounting Pronouncements and Changes in Accounting Principles	For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 For the Three Months Ended June 30, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Amounts in millions, except per share data) As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted Condensed consolidated statements of operations: Income before income tax expense $ 576 $ 576 $ 167 $ 167 $ 409 $ 409 Income tax expense $ 113 $ 62 $ 40 $ 16 $ 73 $ 46 Net Income $ 463 $ 514 $ 127 $ 151 $ 336 $ 363 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.62 $ 0.69 $ 0.17 $ 0.20 $ 0.45 $ 0.49 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.61 $ 0.68 $ 0.17 $ 0.20 $ 0.45 $ 0.48 Diluted-weighted average number of common shares outstanding 748 751 750 753 746 749 For the Six Months Ended June 30, 2016 For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2016 (Amounts in millions) As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted Condensed consolidated statements of cash flows: Net cash provided by operating activities $ 788 $ 840 $ 309 $ 337 Net cash provided by financing activities $ 798 $ 746 $ 1,807 $ 1,779 As of June 30, 2016 As of March 31, 2016 (Amounts in millions) As reported As adjusted As reported As adjusted Condensed consolidated balance sheets: Additional paid-in capital $ 10,425 $ 10,374 $ 10,343 $ 10,316 Retained earnings $ 4,366 $ 4,417 $ 4,239 $ 4,266

Description of Business and B36

Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation (Details) shares in Millions, $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)segment	Aug. 19, 2016shares	Aug. 15, 2016shares	Jul. 07, 2016shares	Jun. 08, 2016shares	Dec. 31, 2015shares
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment	3
Supplemental Cash Flow Elements [Abstract]
Non-cash purchase price consideration | $	$ 89
ASAC LP
Organization and Ownership [Line Items]
Shares of Activision Blizzard common stock owned by a specific shareholder		0		31		172
Percent of Activision Blizzard common stock owned by a specific shareholder						23.00%
Shares of Shareholder Distributed				18	141
ASAC GP
Organization and Ownership [Line Items]
Shares of Activision Blizzard common stock owned by a specific shareholder		13
Percent of Activision Blizzard common stock owned by a specific shareholder	2.00%
Shares of Shareholder Distributed			14
Shares of Shareholders Sold			4

Inventories, Net (Details)

Inventories, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Inventory Disclosure [Abstract]
Finished goods	$ 103	$ 101
Purchased parts and components	28	27
Inventories, net	131	128
Inventory reserves	$ 52	$ 54

Software Development and Inte38

Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Software development and intellectual property licenses:
Internally-developed software costs	$ 304		$ 304		$ 266
Payments made to third-party software developers	174		174		150
Total software development costs	478		478		416
Intellectual property licenses	3		3		$ 30
Amortization:
Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses	$ 47	$ 80	$ 260	$ 312

Intangible Assets, Net (Details

Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	$ 2,438		$ 2,438		$ 440
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets	(801)		(801)		(391)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	1,637		1,637		49
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Net carrying amount, indefinite-lived intangible assets	433		433		433
Total intangible assets, net	2,070		2,070		482
Amortization of Deferred Charges [Abstract]
Amortization expense	211	$ 2	496	$ 5
Activision trademark
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Net carrying amount, indefinite-lived intangible assets	386		386		386
Acquired trade names
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Net carrying amount, indefinite-lived intangible assets	47		47		47
Internally-developed franchises
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	1,154		1,154		309
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets	(495)		(495)		(298)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	659		$ 659		$ 11
Internally-developed franchises | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			3 years		11 years
Internally-developed franchises | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			11 years		11 years
Developed software
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	595		$ 595		$ 15
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets	(102)		(102)		0
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	493		$ 493		$ 15
Developed software | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			3 years		5 years
Developed software | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			5 years		5 years
Customer base
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	617		$ 617
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets	(188)		(188)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	429		$ 429
Customer base | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			2 years
Customer base | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			2 years
Acquired trade names
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	54		$ 54
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets	(5)		(5)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	49		$ 49
Acquired trade names | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			7 years
Acquired trade names | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			10 years
Other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	18		$ 18
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets	(11)		(11)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	$ 7		$ 7
Other | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			1 year
Other | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			8 years
Licensing agreements
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets					$ 116
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets					(93)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets					$ 23
Licensing agreements | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life					1 year
Licensing agreements | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life					10 years

Intangible Assets, Net (Detai40

Intangible Assets, Net (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Definite-lived intangible assets, future amortization expense disclosure
2016 (remaining three months)	$ 211
2,017	777
2,018	361
2,019	201
2,020	66
Thereafter	21
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	$ 1,637	$ 49

Goodwill (Details)

Goodwill (Details) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 7,095
Additions through acquisition	2,693
Other	(1)
Ending balance	9,787
Activision
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	6,905
Additions through acquisition	0
Other	(1)
Ending balance	6,904
Blizzard
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	178
Additions through acquisition	0
Other	0
Ending balance	178
King
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	0
Additions through acquisition	2,693
Other	0
Ending balance	2,693
Other
Goodwill [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	12
Additions through acquisition	0
Other	0
Ending balance	$ 12

Fair Value Measurements (Detail

Fair Value Measurements (Details) - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	$ 3,854	$ 1,667
Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	3,801	1,613
Foreign government treasury bills
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	39	34
ARS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	9	9
Fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	3,840	1,647
Fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	3,801	1,613
Fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Foreign government treasury bills
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	39	34
Fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | ARS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	5	11
Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Foreign government treasury bills
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | ARS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	9	9
Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Foreign government treasury bills
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | ARS
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	9	9
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign currency forward contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	4	11
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Foreign currency forward contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Foreign currency forward contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	4	11
Not Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Foreign currency forward contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Foreign currency forward contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	1
Total liabilities at fair value	(5)	(4)
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair value measurements using quoted prices in active markets for identical assets (Level 1) | Foreign currency forward contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2) | Foreign currency forward contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	1
Total liabilities at fair value	(5)	(4)
Designated as Hedging Instrument [Member] | Fair value measurements using significant unobservable inputs (Level 3) | Foreign currency forward contracts
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring and Nonrecurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0
Total liabilities at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements (Deta43

Fair Value Measurements (Details 2) - USD ($)	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
Nonrecurring
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Impairment charges - nonrecurring	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Foreign currency forward contracts | Not Designated as Hedges
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Fair value of derivative asset	4,000,000		$ 4,000,000		$ 11,000,000
Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedges
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Maximum length of time over which our foreign currency forward contracts mature			12 months
Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedges | Cash Flow Hedging [Member]
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount of foreign currency derivatives	599,000,000		$ 599,000,000		381,000,000
Ineffective portion relating to these hedges	0	$ 0	0	$ 0
Net unrealized gains or losses to be reclassified into earnings within the next twelve months			4,000,000
US Dollar To Euro Contract [Member] | Foreign currency forward contracts | Not Designated as Hedges
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount of foreign currency derivatives	$ 165,000,000		$ 165,000,000		$ 489,000,000

Debt - Credit Facilities (Detai

Debt - Credit Facilities (Details) - USD ($)

Sep. 30, 2020

Sep. 30, 2019

Sep. 30, 2016

Aug. 23, 2016

May 26, 2016

Feb. 25, 2016

Sep. 30, 2016

Sep. 30, 2015

Mar. 31, 2016

Feb. 23, 2016

Dec. 31, 2015

Oct. 11, 2013

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Amount outstanding

$ 6,440,000,000

$ 6,440,000,000

$ 4,119,000,000

Repayments of long-term debt

4,604,000,000

$ 250,000,000

Write-off of unamortized discount and deferred financing costs

$ 10,000,000

Line of Credit

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Repayments of long-term debt

$ 1,500,000,000

Debt covenant, Consolidated Total Net Debt ratio, maximum

400.00%

Debt covenant, Consolidated Total Net Debt ratio, contingent maximum

350.00%

Percentage of consolidated total assets pledged as collateral

68.00%

68.00%

Line of Credit | Term Loan

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 2,500,000,000

Repayments of long-term debt

$ 319,000,000

$ 800,000,000

$ 500,000,000

Line of Credit | Revolver

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

250,000,000

$ 250,000,000

Amount drawn on the Revolver

$ 0

$ 0

Line of Credit | Tranche A Term Loan

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 2,300,000,000

Repayments of long-term debt

2,500,000,000

Line of Credit | Incremental Tranche A Term Loan

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 250,000,000

Line of Credit | New TLA

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

2,900,000,000

Repayments of long-term debt

$ 167,000,000

Variable rate at end of period

1.77%

1.77%

Quarterly principal payments as percent of principal

0.625%

Required periodic repayment

$ 18,000,000

Line of Credit | New TLA | Scenario, Forecast

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Quarterly principal payments as percent of principal

3.125%

1.25%

Line of Credit | Letter of Credit

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Maximum borrowing capacity

$ 50,000,000

Federal Funds Effective Rate | Line of Credit | New TLA

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt Instrument, Base Rate Margin

0.50%

LIBOR | Line of Credit | New TLA

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Debt Instrument, Base Rate Margin

1.00%

Variable interest rate floor

0.00%

LIBOR | Minimum | Line of Credit | New TLA

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Applicable margin

1.125%

LIBOR | Maximum | Line of Credit | New TLA

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Applicable margin

2.00%

Base Rate | Line of Credit | New TLA

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Variable interest rate floor

1.00%

Base Rate | Minimum | Line of Credit | New TLA

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Applicable margin

0.125%

Base Rate | Maximum | Line of Credit | New TLA

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Applicable margin

1.00%

Term Loan | Line of Credit

Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]

Amount outstanding

$ 1,869,000,000

Debt - Unsecured Senior Notes a

Debt - Unsecured Senior Notes and Deferred Financing Costs (Details) - USD ($)	Oct. 19, 2016	Sep. 19, 2016	Aug. 23, 2016	Feb. 23, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015	Oct. 11, 2013	Sep. 19, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount					$ 6,440,000,000		$ 6,440,000,000		$ 4,119,000,000
Write-off of unamortized discount and deferred financing costs			$ 10,000,000
Interest expense					50,000,000	$ 48,000,000	158,000,000	$ 145,000,000
Amortization of Financing Costs and Discounts					$ 4,000,000	2,000,000	$ 16,000,000	5,000,000
Unsecured Debt
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Percentage of principal repayable to option holders upon certain criteria					101.00%		101.00%
Interest payable					$ 7,000,000		$ 7,000,000		38,000,000
Unsecured Debt | Original 2021 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount					$ 1,500,000,000		$ 1,500,000,000		1,500,000,000		$ 1,500,000,000
Interest rate											5.625%
Maximum percentage of outstanding Notes that can be redeemed with net cash proceeds from one or more qualified equity offerings					35.00%		35.00%
Unsecured Debt | Original 2021 Notes | Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of notes					$ 1,565,000,000		$ 1,565,000,000		1,571,000,000
Unsecured Debt | Original 2021 Notes | Subsequent Event
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Extinguishment of total debt amount	$ 1,600,000,000
Gain (loss) on extinguishment	(82,000,000)
Premium payment	63,000,000
Write-off of unamortized discount and deferred financing costs	$ 19,000,000
Unsecured Debt | 2023 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount					$ 750,000,000		$ 750,000,000		750,000,000		$ 750,000,000
Interest rate											6.125%
Maximum percentage of outstanding Notes that can be redeemed with net cash proceeds from one or more qualified equity offerings					35.00%		35.00%
Unsecured Debt | 2023 Notes | Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of notes					$ 825,000,000		$ 825,000,000		$ 795,000,000
Unsecured Debt | New 2021 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		$ 650,000,000			650,000,000		650,000,000
Interest rate		2.30%
Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest		100.00%
Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest		100.00%
Unsecured Debt | New 2021 Notes | Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of notes					652,000,000		652,000,000
Unsecured Debt | 2026 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross carrying amount		$ 850,000,000			850,000,000		850,000,000
Interest rate		3.40%
Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount plus accrued and unpaid interest		100.00%
Redemption percentage of aggregate principal amount plus a make-whole premium and accrued and unpaid interest		100.00%
Unsecured Debt | 2026 Notes | Fair value measurements using significant other observable inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair value of notes					854,000,000		854,000,000
Unsecured Debt | New Notes | Long-term debt, net
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt discount and issuance costs				$ 17,000,000
Line of Credit | Revolver
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Commitment fee, amount					$ 0	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0
Line of Credit Facility, Maximum Borrowing Capacity			$ 250,000,000							$ 250,000,000
Line of Credit | Tranche A Term Loan | Long-term debt, net
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Debt discount and issuance costs				$ 38,000,000

Debt - Summary of Debt (Details

Debt - Summary of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 19, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015	Sep. 19, 2013
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 6,440		$ 4,119
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs	(78)		(45)
Net Carrying Amount	6,362		4,074
Gross Carrying Amount, current portion of long-term debt	(1,500)
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs, current portion of long-term debt	19
Net Carrying Amount, current portion of long-term debt,	(1,481)		0
Gross Carrying Amount, excluding current portion of long-term debt	4,940
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Fees, excluding current portion of long-term debt	(59)
Net Carrying Amount, excluding current portion of long-term debt	4,881		4,074
Line of Credit | New TLA
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	2,690
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs	(31)
Net Carrying Amount	2,659
Line of Credit | Term Loan
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount			1,869
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs			(11)
Net Carrying Amount			1,858
Unsecured Debt | New 2021 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	650	$ 650
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs	(6)
Net Carrying Amount	644
Unsecured Debt | Original 2021 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	1,500		1,500	$ 1,500
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs	(19)		(22)
Net Carrying Amount	1,481		1,478
Unsecured Debt | 2023 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	750		750	$ 750
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs	(11)		(12)
Net Carrying Amount	739		$ 738
Unsecured Debt | 2026 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Gross Carrying Amount	850	$ 850
Unamortized Discount and Deferred Financing Costs	(11)
Net Carrying Amount	$ 839

Debt - Schedule of Maturities (

Debt - Schedule of Maturities (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Maturities of Long-term Debt [Abstract]
2016 (remaining three months)	$ 1,500
2,017	0
2,018	0
2,019	103
2,020	252
Thereafter	4,585
Gross Carrying Amount	$ 6,440	$ 4,119

Debt - Debt Repayments (Details

Debt - Debt Repayments (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 02, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Authorized net debt repayments (up to)	$ 1,500
Repayments of long-term debt		$ 4,604	$ 250
Line of Credit
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Repayments of long-term debt		$ 1,500

Accumulated Other Comprehensi49

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 8,068
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(21)	$ (236)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1	(5)
Ending balance	8,818
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(630)	(304)
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(20)	(240)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Ending balance	(650)	(544)
Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(4)	0
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	(1)	8
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	1	(5)
Ending balance	(4)	3
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	1	1
Other comprehensive loss before reclassifications	0	(4)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	0	0
Ending balance	1	(3)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(633)	(303)
Ending balance	$ (653)	$ (544)

Operating Segments and Geogra50

Operating Segments and Geographic Region (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Sep. 30, 2016USD ($)segment	Sep. 30, 2015USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2015USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment			3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 1,568	$ 990	$ 4,594	$ 3,312
Income before income tax expense	294	196	987	1,070
Amortization of intangible assets	(211)	(2)	(496)	(5)
Interest and other expense (income), net	63	51	181	151
Income before income tax expense	231	145	806	919
Long-lived assets	258		258		$ 189
Console
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	452	420	1,867	1,737
PC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	609	359	1,421	1,114
Mobile and ancillary
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	440	131	1,137	272
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	67	80	169	189
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	796	$ 495	2,411	$ 1,750
Long-lived assets	$ 145		$ 145		138
US | Revenues | Geographic Concentration Risk
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues as a percentage of consolidated net revenues	43.00%	46.00%	46.00%	50.00%
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 499	$ 367	$ 1,528	$ 1,219
Long-lived assets	$ 97		$ 97		42
UK | Revenues | Geographic Concentration Risk
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues as a percentage of consolidated net revenues	10.00%	13.00%	10.00%	13.00%
Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 273	$ 128	$ 655	$ 343
Long-lived assets	16		16		$ 9
Reportable segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	1,563	960	3,978	2,314
Income before income tax expense	582	250	1,430	627
Reportable segments | Activision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	377	591	1,069	1,208
Income before income tax expense	123	122	309	244
Reportable segments | Blizzard
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	727	369	1,760	1,106
Income before income tax expense	321	128	740	383
Reportable segments | King
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	459	0	1,149	0
Income before income tax expense	138	0	381	0
Reconciling items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(62)	(50)	447	809
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues	(33)	(26)	228	517
Stock-based compensation expense	(33)	(28)	(118)	(70)
Amortization of intangible assets	(211)	(1)	(495)	(4)
Fees and other expenses related to acquisitions	(4)	0	(43)	0
Reconciling items | Other segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net revenues	67	80	169	189
Income before income tax expense	$ (7)	$ 1	$ (15)	$ 0

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 32	$ 18	$ 93	$ 186
Effective tax rate (in percent)	14.00%	13.00%	12.00%	20.00%
Statutory income tax rate (in percent)	35.00%		35.00%

Income Taxes (Details 2)

Income Taxes (Details 2) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2013
Income Tax [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)	$ 32	$ 18	$ 93	$ 186
New VH
Income Tax [Line Items]
Net operating loss carryforwards					$ 760
Net operating loss indemnification amount					200
Net operating loss utilized - New VH NOL			291
Tax benefit related to stock repurchase			102
Tax credit reserve for repurchase of stock	102		102
Indemnification asset recorded in other assets	191		191
Indemnification asset recorded in treasury stock	$ 191		191
New VH | Expected
Income Tax [Line Items]
Income tax expense (benefit)					$ (266)
King
Income Tax [Line Items]
Uncertain tax positions assumed			$ 93

Computation of Basic_Diluted 53

Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - Computation EPS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Numerator:
Consolidated net income	$ 199	$ 127	$ 713	$ 733
Less: Distributed earnings to unvested stock-based awards that participate in earnings	0	0	(2)	(4)
Less: Undistributed earnings allocated to unvested stock-based awards that participate in earnings	(1)	(2)	(2)	(6)
Numerator for basic and diluted earnings per common share — income available to common shareholders	$ 198	$ 125	$ 709	$ 723
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	742	730	739	727
Employee stock options and awards (in shares)	14	9	14	9
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding plus dilutive common shares under treasury stock method (in shares)	756	739	753	736
Basic earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27	$ 0.17	$ 0.96	$ 0.99
Diluted earnings (loss) per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26	$ 0.17	$ 0.94	$ 0.98

Computation of Basic_Diluted 54

Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Unvested restricted stock rights participating in earnings	2	8	3	9
Performance shares not included in dilutive shares (performance measures not yet met)	10	4	10	4
Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Antidilutive securities excluded from computation of diluted earnings per share (in shares)	1	1	4	1

Capital Transactions (Details)

Capital Transactions (Details) - 2015 Share Repurchase Program - USD ($)	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Feb. 03, 2015
Share Repurchase Program [Line Items]
Stock repurchase program, dollar amount authorized		$ 750,000,000
Shares of common stock repurchased	0
Cost of common stock repurchased under the stock repurchase program	$ 0

Capital Transactions (Details 2

Capital Transactions (Details 2) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	May 27, 2016	May 11, 2016	Feb. 02, 2016	May 29, 2015	May 13, 2015	Feb. 03, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
Dividends
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)			$ 0.26			$ 0.23	$ 0	$ 0	$ 0.26	$ 0.23
Cash dividend payment		$ 192			$ 167				$ 195	$ 170
Dividend equivalent payment	$ 3			$ 3

Acquisitions - Narrative (Detai

Acquisitions - Narrative (Details) - USD ($) shares in Millions	Feb. 23, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 9,787,000,000	$ 7,095,000,000
King
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Aggregate purchase price	$ 5,828,000,000
Cash paid to acquire business	3,600,000,000
Cash paid to acquire business from debt financing	2,200,000,000
Goodwill	2,693,000,000
Fair value of King’s existing vested and unvested stock options and awards assumed	98,000,000
Future expense for converted King unvested options and awards		$ 53,000,000
Weighted average service period of acquired options and awards		1 year 9 months 18 days
Cash proceeds released to award holders	$ 0
Weighted average cost of capital percent	13.00%
Goodwill expected to be deductible for tax purposes	$ 620,000,000
King | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term revenue decay percent	65.00%
Royalty rate percent	8.00%
King | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Long-term revenue decay percent	0.00%
Royalty rate percent	0.50%
King | Nonstop Games Oy
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of contingent consideration liability assumed	$ 0
King | Nonstop Games Oy | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability assumed	84,000,000
King | Nonstop Games Oy | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability assumed	0
King | Z2Live, Inc
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of contingent consideration liability assumed	0
King | Z2Live, Inc | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability assumed	75,000,000
King | Z2Live, Inc | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Contingent consideration liability assumed	$ 0
King | Stock Option
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity options and awards issued in acquisition (in shares)	10
King | Equity Award
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Equity options and awards issued in acquisition (in shares)	3
Fair value of King’s existing vested and unvested stock options and awards assumed	$ 76,000,000
King | Deferred Cash Award
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Fair value of King’s existing vested and unvested stock options and awards assumed	22,000,000
Future expense for converted King unvested options and awards		$ 9,000,000
King | Long-term debt, net
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Debt discount and issuance costs	$ 38,000,000
King | General and administrative
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Acquisition costs		$ 38,000,000

Acquisitions - Purchase Price C

Acquisitions - Purchase Price Composition (Details) - King $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Feb. 23, 2016USD ($)$ / shares
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash consideration for outstanding King common stock and vested equity options and awards	$ 5,730
Fair value of King’s existing vested and unvested stock options and awards assumed	98
Total purchase price	$ 5,828
Cash consideration paid (in dollars per share) | $ / shares	$ 18
Volatility percent	36.00%
Expected dividend yield	0.90%
Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Expected life	1 month 15 days
Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Expected life	7 years 7 months 15 days

Acquisitions - Preliminary Purc

Acquisitions - Preliminary Purchase Price Allocation (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Feb. 23, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Dec. 31, 2015
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Goodwill		$ 9,787	$ 7,095
Minimum | Internally-developed franchises
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		3 years	11 years
Minimum | Customer base
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		2 years
Minimum | Developed software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		3 years	5 years
Maximum | Internally-developed franchises
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		11 years	11 years
Maximum | Customer base
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		2 years
Maximum | Developed software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life		5 years	5 years
King
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 1,151
Accounts receivable	162
Other current assets	72
Property and equipment	57
Deferred income tax assets, net	27
Other assets	47
Accounts payable	(9)
Accrued expense and other liabilities	(272)
Other liabilities	(128)
Deferred income tax liabilities, net	(52)
Goodwill	2,693
Total purchase price	5,828
King | Internally-developed franchises
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	845
King | Customer base
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 609
Estimated useful life	2 years
King | Developed software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 580
King | Trademark
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Intangible assets	$ 46
Estimated useful life	7 years
King | Minimum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life	2 years
King | Minimum | Internally-developed franchises
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
King | Minimum | Developed software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	3 years
King | Maximum
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Useful life	7 years
King | Maximum | Internally-developed franchises
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	5 years
King | Maximum | Developed software
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Estimated useful life	4 years

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Inform

Acquisitions - Pro Forma Information (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015
King
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 447		$ 1,088
Net loss	(72)		(171)
Net revenues	1,568	$ 1,473	4,873	$ 4,862
Net income	$ 218	$ 89	$ 739	$ 635
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.12	$ 0.99	$ 0.86
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.29	$ 0.12	$ 0.97	$ 0.85
Acquisition-related Costs
Business Acquisition [Line Items]
Non-recurring acquisition related costs	$ 69		$ 69

Recently Issued Accounting Pr61

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended				6 Months Ended	9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2016	Jun. 30, 2016	Mar. 31, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Jun. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2016	Sep. 30, 2015	Dec. 31, 2015
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Excess tax benefits recognized	$ 12					$ 63
Net cash provided by operating activities						1,296	$ 196
Net cash provided by financing activities						2,083	(172)
Income before income tax expense	231			$ 145		806	919
Income tax expense	32			18		93	186
Net income	$ 199			$ 127		$ 713	$ 733
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.27			$ 0.17		$ 0.96	$ 0.99
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.26			$ 0.17		$ 0.94	$ 0.98
Diluted-weighted average number of common shares outstanding	756			739		753	736
Additional paid-in capital	$ 10,427					$ 10,427		$ 10,242
Retained earnings	$ 4,616					$ 4,616		$ 4,096
Adjustments For ASU 2016-09 | New Accounting Pronouncement, Early Adoption, Effect
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities							$ 33
Net cash provided by financing activities							$ 33
Adjustments For ASU 2016-09 | Adjustments for New Accounting Principle, Early Adoption
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities			$ 337		$ 840
Net cash provided by financing activities			1,779		746
Income before income tax expense		$ 167	409		576
Income tax expense		16	46		62
Net income		$ 151	$ 363		$ 514
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0.20	$ 0.49		$ 0.69
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.20	$ 0.48		$ 0.68
Diluted-weighted average number of common shares outstanding		753	749		751
Additional paid-in capital		$ 10,374	$ 10,316		$ 10,374
Retained earnings		4,417	4,266		4,417
Adjustments For ASU 2016-09 | Adjustments for New Accounting Principle, Early Adoption | As Reported
New Accounting Pronouncements or Change in Accounting Principle [Line Items]
Net cash provided by operating activities			309		788
Net cash provided by financing activities			1,807		798
Income before income tax expense		167	409		576
Income tax expense		40	73		113
Net income		$ 127	$ 336		$ 463
Basic (in dollars per share)		$ 0.17	$ 0.45		$ 0.62
Diluted (in dollars per share)		$ 0.17	$ 0.45		$ 0.61
Diluted-weighted average number of common shares outstanding		750	746		748
Additional paid-in capital		$ 10,425	$ 10,343		$ 10,425
Retained earnings		$ 4,366	$ 4,239		$ 4,366