Activision Blizzard (ATVI) 10-Q 4 May 21 2021 Q1 Quarterly report Financial data

Cover Page

Cover Page - shares	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Apr. 27, 2021
Cover [Abstract]
Document Type	10-Q
Document Quarterly Report	true
Document Period End Date	Mar. 31, 2021
Document Transition Report	false
Entity File Number	1-15839
Entity Registrant Name	ACTIVISION BLIZZARD, INC.
Entity Central Index Key	0000718877
Current Fiscal Year End Date	--12-31
Document Fiscal Year Focus	2021
Document Fiscal Period Focus	Q1
Amendment Flag	false
Entity Incorporation, State or Country Code	DE
Entity Tax Identification Number	95-4803544
Entity Address, City or Town	N/A
Entity Address, Address Line One	N/A
Entity Address, Postal Zip Code	N/A
City Area Code	310
Local Phone Number	255-2000
Title of 12(b) Security	Common Stock, par value $0.000001 per share
Trading Symbol	ATVI
Security Exchange Name	NASDAQ
Entity Current Reporting Status	Yes
Entity Interactive Data Current	Yes
Entity Filer Category	Large Accelerated Filer
Entity Small Business	false
Entity Emerging Growth Company	false
Entity Shell Company	false
Entity Common Stock, Shares Outstanding		777,016,759

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Current assets:
Cash and cash equivalents	$ 9,281	$ 8,647
Accounts receivable, net of allowances of $59 and $83, at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	773	1,052
Software development	283	352
Other current assets	585	514
Total current assets	10,922	10,565
Software development	207	160
Property and equipment, net	192	209
Deferred income taxes, net	1,250	1,318
Other assets	643	641
Intangible assets, net	446	451
Goodwill	9,765	9,765
Total assets	23,425	23,109
Current liabilities:
Accounts payable	225	295
Deferred revenues	1,459	1,689
Accrued expenses and other liabilities	1,497	1,116
Total current liabilities	3,181	3,100
Long-term debt, net	3,606	3,605
Deferred income taxes, net	365	418
Other liabilities	942	949
Total liabilities	8,094	8,072
Commitments and contingencies (Note 16)
Shareholders’ equity:
Common stock, $0.000001 par value, 2,400,000,000 shares authorized, 1,205,570,562 and 1,202,906,087 shares issued at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, respectively	0	0
Additional paid-in capital	11,549	11,531
Less: Treasury stock, at cost, 428,676,471 shares at March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020	(5,563)	(5,563)
Retained earnings	9,945	9,691
Accumulated other comprehensive loss	(600)	(622)
Total shareholders’ equity	15,331	15,037
Total liabilities and shareholders’ equity	$ 23,425	$ 23,109

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANC_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED BALANCE SHEETS (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Statement of Financial Position [Abstract]
Accounts receivable allowance	$ 59	$ 83
Common stock, par value (in dollars per share)	$ 0.000001	$ 0.000001
Common stock, shares authorized (in shares)	2,400,000,000	2,400,000,000
Common stock, shares issued (in shares)	1,205,570,562	1,202,906,087
Treasury stock, shares (in 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
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Net revenues
Net revenues	$ 2,275	$ 1,788
Cost of revenues:
Product development	353	238
Sales and marketing	237	243
General and administrative	282	167
Restructuring and related costs	30	23
Total costs and expenses	1,480	1,176
Operating income	795	612
Interest and other expense (income), net (Note 12)	30	8
Income before income tax expense	765	604
Income tax expense	146	99
Net income	$ 619	$ 505
Earnings per common share
Basic (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.66
Diluted (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 0.65
Weighted-average number of shares outstanding
Basic (in shares)	775	769
Diluted (in shares)	783	774
Product sales
Net revenues
Net revenues	$ 675	$ 543
Product costs
Cost of revenues:
Cost of revenues	140	119
Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
Cost of revenues:
Cost of revenues	112	82
In-game, subscription, and other revenues
Net revenues
Net revenues	1,600	1,245
Game operations and distribution costs
Cost of revenues:
Cost of revenues	296	258
Software royalties, amortization, and intellectual property licenses
Cost of revenues:
Cost of revenues	$ 30	$ 46

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_2

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF COMPREHENSIVE INCOME (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement of Comprehensive Income [Abstract]
Net income	$ 619	$ 505
Other comprehensive income (loss):
Foreign currency translation adjustment, net of tax	(5)	(14)
Unrealized gains (losses) on forward contracts designated as hedges, net of tax	29	1
Unrealized gains (losses) on investments, net of tax	(2)	4
Total other comprehensive income (loss)	22	(9)
Comprehensive income	$ 641	$ 496

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_3

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CASH FLOWS (Unaudited) - USD ($) $ in Millions		3 Months Ended
		Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Cash flows from operating activities:
Net income		$ 619	$ 505
Adjustments to reconcile net income to net cash provided by operating activities:
Deferred income taxes		3	11
Depreciation and amortization		33	62
Non-cash operating lease cost		16	16
Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses	[1]	106	77
Share-based compensation expense	[2]	151	43
Other		(11)	(10)
Changes in operating assets and liabilities:
Accounts receivable, net		276	249
Software development and intellectual property licenses		(84)	(85)
Other assets		(2)	(1)
Deferred revenues		(204)	(334)
Accounts payable		(70)	(132)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities		11	(253)
Net cash provided by operating activities		844	148
Cash flows from investing activities:
Proceeds from maturities of available-for-sale investments		16	0
Purchases of available-for-sale investments		(80)	(9)
Capital expenditures		(22)	(19)
Net cash used in investing activities		(86)	(28)
Cash flows from financing activities:
Proceeds from issuance of common stock to employees		29	26
Tax payment related to net share settlements on restricted stock units		(124)	(19)
Net cash provided by (used in) financing activities		(95)	7
Effect of foreign exchange rate changes on cash and cash equivalents		(28)	(15)
Net increase in cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash		635	112
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at beginning of period		8,652	5,798
Cash and cash equivalents and restricted cash at end of period		9,287	5,910
Supplemental cash flow information - Non-cash financing activities:
Dividends payable		$ 365	$ 316
[1]	Excludes deferral and amortization of share-based compensation expense.
[2]	Includes the net effects of capitalization, deferral, and amortization of share-based compensation expense.

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_4

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) - USD ($) shares in Thousands, $ in Millions	Total	Cumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Common Stock	Treasury Stock	Additional Paid-In Capital	Retained Earnings	Retained EarningsCumulative Effect, Period of Adoption, Adjustment	Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2019			1,197,000	429,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2019	$ 12,805	$ (3)	$ 0	$ (5,563)	$ 11,174	$ 7,813	$ (3)	$ (619)
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income	505					505
Other comprehensive income (loss)	(9)							(9)
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options (in shares)			1,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options	27				27
Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units (in shares)			1,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units	0
Restricted stock surrendered for employees' tax liability (in shares)			0
Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability	(31)				(31)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units	43				43
Dividends	(316)					(316)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2020			1,199,000	429,000
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2020	13,021		$ 0	$ (5,563)	11,213	7,999		(628)
Balance (in shares) at Dec. 31, 2020			1,203,000	429,000
Beginning balance at Dec. 31, 2020	15,037		$ 0	$ (5,563)	11,531	9,691		(622)
Components of comprehensive income:
Net income	619					619
Other comprehensive income (loss)	22							22
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options (in shares)			1,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to employee stock options	33				33
Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units (in shares)			4,000
Issuance of common stock pursuant to restricted stock units	0
Restricted stock surrendered for employees' tax liability (in shares)			(2,000)
Restricted stock surrendered for employees’ tax liability	(165)				(165)
Share-based compensation expense related to employee stock options and restricted stock units	150				150
Dividends	(365)					(365)
Balance (in shares) at Mar. 31, 2021			1,206,000	429,000
Ending balance at Mar. 31, 2021	$ 15,331		$ 0	$ (5,563)	$ 11,549	$ 9,945		$ (600)

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEM_5

CONDENSED CONSOLIDATED STATEMENTS OF CHANGES IN SHAREHOLDERS' EQUITY (Unaudited) (Parenthetical) - $ / shares	Feb. 04, 2021	Feb. 06, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Statement of Stockholders' Equity [Abstract]
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47	$ 0.41	$ 0.47	$ 0.41

Description of Business and Bas

Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
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 content and services. We develop and distribute content and services on video game consoles, personal computers (“PC”s), and mobile devices. We also operate esports leagues and offer digital advertising within some of our content. The terms “Activision Blizzard,” the “Company,” “we,” “us,” and “our” are used to refer collectively to Activision Blizzard, Inc. and its subsidiaries. Our Segments Based upon our organizational structure, we conduct our business through three reportable segments, each of which is a leading global developer and publisher of interactive entertainment content and services based primarily on our internally developed intellectual properties. (i) Activision Publishing, Inc. Activision Publishing, Inc. (“Activision”) delivers content through both premium and free-to-play offerings and primarily generates revenue from full-game and in-game sales, as well as by licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Activision products. Activision’s key product franchise is Call of Duty ® , a first-person action franchise. Activision also includes the activities of the Call of Duty League™, a global professional esports league with city-based teams. (ii) Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (“Blizzard”) delivers content through both premium and free-to-play offerings and primarily generates revenue from full-game and in-game sales, subscriptions, and by licensing software to third-party or related-party companies that distribute Blizzard products. Blizzard also maintains a proprietary online gaming service, Blizzard Battle.net ® , which facilitates digital distribution of Blizzard content and selected Activision content, online social connectivity, and the creation of user-generated content. Blizzard’s key product franchises include: World of Warcraft ® , a subscription-based massive multi-player online role-playing franchise; Hearthstone ® , an online collectible card franchise based in the Warcraft universe; Diablo ® , an action role-playing franchise; and Overwatch ® , a team-based first-person action franchise. Blizzard also includes the activities of the Overwatch League™, a global professional esports league with city-based teams. (iii) King Digital Entertainment King Digital Entertainment (“King”) delivers content primarily through free-to-play offerings and primarily generates revenue from in-game sales and in-game advertising on the mobile platform. King’s key product franchise is Candy Crush™, a “match three” franchise. Other We also engage in other businesses that do not represent reportable segments, including the Activision Blizzard Distribution (“Distribution”) business, which consists of operations in Europe that provide warehousing, logistics, and sales distribution services to third-party publishers of interactive entertainment software, our own publishing operations, and manufacturers of interactive entertainment hardware. Basis of Consolidation and Presentation The accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements have been prepared in accordance with the rules and regulations of the Securities and Exchange Commission and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim reporting. Accordingly, certain notes or other information that are normally required by U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted if they substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in our annual audited consolidated financial statements. Additionally, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. 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. Generally, making these estimates and developing our assumptions requires consideration of forecasted information, which, in context of the COVID-19 pandemic, involves additional uncertainty. While there was no material impact to our estimates in the current period, in future periods, facts and circumstances could change and impact our estimates. Additionally, actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair statement of our financial position and results of operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-year amounts to conform to the current period presentation.

Recently Issued Accounting Pron

Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Accounting Standards Update and Change in Accounting Principle [Abstract]
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

Software Development and Intell

Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Software Development Costs and Intellectual Property Licenses
Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses	Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses Our total capitalized software development costs of $490 million and $512 million, as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2021, respectively, primarily relates to internal development costs. As of both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, capitalized intellectual property licenses were not material. Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses was as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses $ 112 $ 83

Intangible Assets, Net

Intangible Assets, Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Intangible Assets, Net	Intangible Assets, Net Intangible assets, net, consist of the following (amounts in millions): At March 31, 2021 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: Internally-developed franchises 3 - 11 years $ 1,154 $ (1,154) $ — Trade names and other 1 - 10 years 73 (60) 13 Total definite-lived intangible assets (1) $ 1,227 $ (1,214) $ 13 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 446 (1) At March 31, 2021, the balances of the developed software intangible assets have been removed as such amounts were fully amortized in the prior year. At December 31, 2020 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: Internally-developed franchises 3 - 11 years $ 1,154 $ (1,151) $ 3 Developed software 2 - 5 years 601 (601) — Trade names and other 1 - 10 years 73 (58) 15 Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 1,828 $ (1,810) $ 18 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 451 Amortization expense of our intangible assets was $5 million and $33 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and March 31, 2020, respectively.

Goodwill

Goodwill	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Goodwill	Goodwill The carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows (amounts in millions): Activision Blizzard King Total Goodwill $ 6,899 $ 190 $ 2,676 $ 9,765

Fair Value Measurements

Fair Value Measurements	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair Value Measurements	Fair Value Measurements The FASB literature regarding fair value measurements for certain assets and liabilities establishes a three-level fair value hierarchy that prioritizes the inputs used to measure fair value. This hierarchy requires entities to maximize the use of “observable inputs” and minimize the use of “unobservable inputs.” The three levels of inputs used to measure fair value are as follows: • Level 1—Quoted prices in active markets for identical assets or liabilities; • Level 2—Observable inputs other than quoted prices included in Level 1, such as quoted prices for similar assets or liabilities in active markets or other inputs that are observable or can be corroborated by observable market data; and • Level 3—Unobservable inputs that are supported by little or no market activity and that are significant to the fair value of the assets or liabilities, including certain pricing models, discounted cash flow methodologies, and similar techniques that use significant unobservable inputs. Fair Value Measurements on a Recurring Basis The table below segregates all of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date (amounts in millions): Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2021 Using As of March 31, 2021 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 $ 8,968 $ 8,968 $ — $ — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign government treasury bills 25 25 — — Cash and cash equivalents U.S. treasuries and government agency securities 227 227 — — Other current assets Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges 12 — 12 — Other current assets and Other assets Total $ 9,232 $ 9,220 $ 12 $ — Financial Liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges $ (1) $ — $ (1) $ — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges (7) — (7) — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Total $ (8) $ — $ (8) $ — Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2020 Using As of December 31, 2020 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 $ 8,345 $ 8,345 $ — $ — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign government treasury bills 34 34 — — Cash and cash equivalents U.S. treasuries and government agency securities 164 164 — — Other current assets Total $ 8,543 $ 8,543 $ — $ — Financial Liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges $ (2) $ — $ (2) $ — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges (24) — (24) — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Total $ (26) $ — $ (26) $ — Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Designated as Hedges (“Cash Flow Hedges”) The total gross notional amounts and fair values of our Cash Flow Hedges, all of which have remaining maturities of 19 months or less as of March 31, 2021, are as follows (amounts in millions): As of March 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 Notional amount Fair value gain (loss) Notional amount Fair value gain (loss) Foreign Currency: Buy USD, Sell Euro $ 850 $ 5 $ 542 $ (24) For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, pre-tax net realized gains (losses) associated with our Cash Flow Hedges that were reclassified out of “Accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)” and into earnings were not material. Foreign Currency Forward Contracts Not Designated as Hedges The gross notional amounts and fair values of our foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges are as follows (amounts in millions): As of March 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 Notional amount Fair value gain (loss) Notional amount Fair value gain (loss) Foreign Currency: Buy USD, Sell GBP $ 148 $ (1) $ 116 $ (2) For the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, pre-tax net gains (losses) associated with these forward contracts were recorded in “General and administrative expenses” and were not material.

Deferred revenues

Deferred revenues	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Deferred revenues	Deferred revenues We record deferred revenues when cash payments are received or due in advance of the fulfillment of our associated performance obligations. The aggregate of the current and non-current balances of deferred revenues as of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, were $1.5 billion and $1.7 billion, respectively. For the three months ended March 31, 2021, the additions to our deferred revenues balance were primarily due to cash payments received or due in advance of satisfying our performance obligations, while the reductions to our deferred revenues balance were primarily due to the recognition of revenues upon fulfillment of our performance obligations, all of which were in the ordinary course of business. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, $1.1 billion of revenues were recognized that were included in the deferred revenues balance at December 31, 2020. During the three months ended March 31, 2020, $0.8 billion of revenues were recognized that were included in the deferred revenues balance at December 31, 2019. As of March 31, 2021, the aggregate amount of contracted revenues allocated to our unsatisfied performance obligations was $2.2 billion, which included our deferred revenues balances and amounts to be invoiced and recognized as revenue in future periods. We expect to recognize approximately $1.7 billion over the next 12 months, $0.4 billion in the subsequent 12-month period, and the remainder thereafter. This balance did not include an estimate for variable consideration arising from sales-based royalty license revenue in excess of the contractual minimum guarantee or any estimated amounts of variable consideration that are subject to constraint in accordance with the revenue standard.

Debt

Debt	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Debt	Debt Credit Facilities As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had $1.5 billion available under a revolving credit facility (the “Revolver”) pursuant to a credit agreement entered into on October 11, 2013 (as amended thereafter and from time to time, the “Credit Agreement”). To date, we have not drawn on the Revolver and we were in compliance with the terms of the Credit Agreement as of March 31, 2021. Refer to Note 13 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for further details regarding the Credit Agreement and its key terms. Unsecured Senior Notes As of March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020, we had $3.7 billion of gross unsecured senior notes outstanding. A summary of our outstanding unsecured senior notes is as follows (amounts in millions): At March 31, 2021 At December 31, 2020 Unsecured Senior Notes Interest Rate Semi-Annual Interest Payments Due On Maturity Principal Fair Value Principal Fair Value 2026 Notes 3.40% Mar. 15 & Sept. 15 Sept. 2026 850 930 850 970 2027 Notes 3.40% Jun. 15 & Dec. 15 Jun. 2027 400 438 400 454 2030 Notes 1.35% Mar. 15 & Sept. 15 Sept. 2030 500 450 500 490 2047 Notes 4.50% Jun. 15 & Dec. 15 Jun. 2047 400 469 400 525 2050 Notes 2.50% Mar. 15 & Sept. 15 Sept. 2050 1,500 1,258 1,500 1,462 Total gross long-term debt $ 3,650 $ 3,650 Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs (44) (45) Total net carrying amount $ 3,606 $ 3,605 We were in compliance with the terms of the notes outstanding as of March 31, 2021. As of March 31, 2021, we have no contractual principal repayments of our long-term debt due within the next five years. Refer to Note 13 contained in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020 for further details regarding key terms under our indentures that govern our outstanding notes.

Accumulated Other Comprehensive

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
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) were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities Total Balance at December 31, 2020 $ (589) $ (28) $ (5) $ (622) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (5) 20 (3) 12 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings — 9 1 10 Balance at March 31, 2021 $ (594) $ 1 $ (7) $ (600) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities Total Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (624) $ 8 $ (3) $ (619) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (12) 10 4 2 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (2) (9) — (11) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ (638) $ 9 $ 1 $ (628)

Operating Segments and Geograph

Operating Segments and Geographic Region	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Operating Segments and Geographic Region	Operating Segments and Geographic Region We have three reportable segments—Activision, Blizzard, and King. Our operating segments are consistent with the manner in which our operations are reviewed and managed by our Chief Executive Officer, who is our chief operating decision maker (“CODM”). The CODM reviews segment performance exclusive of: the impact of the change in deferred revenues and related cost of revenues with respect to certain of our online-enabled games; share-based compensation expense; amortization of intangible assets as a result of purchase price accounting; fees and other expenses (including legal fees, expenses, and accruals) related to acquisitions, associated integration activities, and financings; certain restructuring and related costs; and certain other non-cash charges. The CODM does not review any information regarding total assets on an operating segment basis, and accordingly, no disclosure is made with respect thereto. Our operating segments are also consistent with our internal organizational structure, the way we assess operating performance and allocate resources, and the availability of separate financial information. We do not aggregate operating segments. Information on reportable segment net revenues and operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, are presented below (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Activision Blizzard King Total Segment Net Revenues Net revenues from external customers $ 891 $ 458 $ 609 $ 1,958 Intersegment net revenues (1) — 25 — 25 Segment net revenues $ 891 $ 483 $ 609 $ 1,983 Segment operating income $ 442 $ 208 $ 203 $ 853 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Activision Blizzard King Total Segment Net Revenues Net revenues from external customers $ 519 $ 437 $ 498 $ 1,454 Intersegment net revenues (1) — 15 — 15 Segment net revenues $ 519 $ 452 $ 498 $ 1,469 Segment operating income $ 184 $ 197 $ 156 $ 537 (1) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments. Reconciliations of total segment net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues and consolidated income before income tax expense are presented in the table below (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues: Segment net revenues $ 1,983 $ 1,469 Revenues from non-reportable segments (1) 108 68 Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues (2) 209 266 Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) (25) (15) Consolidated net revenues $ 2,275 $ 1,788 Reconciliation to consolidated income before income tax expense: Segment operating income $ 853 $ 537 Operating income (loss) from non-reportable segments (1) (4) 3 Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues (2) 132 171 Share-based compensation expense (151) (43) Amortization of intangible assets (5) (33) Restructuring and related costs ( Note 11 ) (30) (23) Consolidated operating income 795 612 Interest and other expense (income), net 30 8 Consolidated income before income tax expense $ 765 $ 604 (1) Includes other income and expenses outside of our reportable segments, including our Distribution business and unallocated corporate income and expenses. (2) Reflects the net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues, along with related cost of revenues, on certain of our online-enabled products. (3) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments. Net revenues by distribution channel, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, were as follows (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) Total Net revenues by distribution channel: Digital online channels (1) $ 965 $ 461 $ 605 $ — $ (25) $ 2,006 Retail channels 143 6 — — — 149 Other (2) 15 3 — 102 — 120 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,123 $ 470 $ 605 $ 102 $ (25) $ 2,275 Change in deferred revenues: Digital online channels (1) $ (162) $ 17 $ 4 $ — $ — $ (141) Retail channels (70) (4) — — — (74) Other (2) — — — 6 — 6 Total change in deferred revenues $ (232) $ 13 $ 4 $ 6 $ — $ (209) Segment net revenues: Digital online channels (1) $ 803 $ 478 $ 609 $ — $ (25) $ 1,865 Retail channels 73 2 — — — 75 Other (2) 15 3 — 108 — 126 Total segment net revenues $ 891 $ 483 $ 609 $ 108 $ (25) $ 2,066 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) Total Net revenues by distribution channel: Digital online channels (1) $ 548 $ 409 $ 499 $ — $ (15) $ 1,441 Retail channels 212 9 — — — 221 Other (2) 20 31 — 75 — 126 Total consolidated net revenues $ 780 $ 449 $ 499 $ 75 $ (15) $ 1,788 Change in deferred revenues: Digital online channels (1) $ (93) $ 8 $ (1) $ — $ — $ (86) Retail channels (168) (4) — — — (172) Other (2) — (1) — (7) — (8) Total change in deferred revenues $ (261) $ 3 $ (1) $ (7) $ — $ (266) Segment net revenues: Digital online channels (1) $ 455 $ 417 $ 498 $ — $ (15) $ 1,355 Retail channels 44 5 — — — 49 Other (2) 20 30 — 68 — 118 Total segment net revenues $ 519 $ 452 $ 498 $ 68 $ (15) $ 1,522 (1) Net revenues from “Digital online channels” include revenues from digitally-distributed downloadable content, microtransactions, subscriptions, and products, as well as licensing royalties. (2) Net revenues from “Other” include revenues from our Distribution business, the Overwatch League, and the Call of Duty League. (3) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments. Geographic information presented below is based on the location of the paying customer. Net revenues by geographic region, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, were as follows (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (2) Total Net revenues by geographic region: Americas $ 725 $ 210 $ 386 $ — $ (14) $ 1,307 EMEA (1) 311 167 160 102 (9) 731 Asia Pacific 87 93 59 — (2) 237 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,123 $ 470 $ 605 $ 102 $ (25) $ 2,275 Change in deferred revenues: Americas $ (131) $ 5 $ 5 $ — $ — $ (121) EMEA (1) (77) 7 (1) 6 — (65) Asia Pacific (24) 1 — — — (23) Total change in deferred revenues $ (232) $ 13 $ 4 $ 6 $ — $ (209) Segment net revenues: Americas $ 594 $ 215 $ 391 $ — $ (14) $ 1,186 EMEA (1) 234 174 159 108 (9) 666 Asia Pacific 63 94 59 — (2) 214 Total segment net revenues $ 891 $ 483 $ 609 $ 108 $ (25) $ 2,066 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (2) Total Net revenues by geographic region: Americas $ 472 $ 172 $ 311 $ — $ (7) $ 948 EMEA (1) 239 121 136 75 (5) 566 Asia Pacific 69 156 52 — (3) 274 Total consolidated net revenues $ 780 $ 449 $ 499 $ 75 $ (15) $ 1,788 Change in deferred revenues: Americas $ (146) $ 2 $ 1 $ — $ — $ (143) EMEA (1) (96) 3 (1) (7) — (101) Asia Pacific (19) (2) (1) — — (22) Total change in deferred revenues $ (261) $ 3 $ (1) $ (7) $ — $ (266) Segment net revenues: Americas $ 326 $ 174 $ 312 $ — $ (7) $ 805 EMEA (1) 143 124 135 68 (5) 465 Asia Pacific 50 154 51 — (3) 252 Total segment net revenues $ 519 $ 452 $ 498 $ 68 $ (15) $ 1,522 (1) “EMEA” consists of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa geographic regions. (2) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments. The Company’s net revenues in the U.S. were 50% and 47% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. The Company’s net revenues in the United Kingdom (“U.K.”) were 11% and 9% of consolidated net revenues for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, respectively. No other country’s net revenues exceeded 10% of consolidated net revenues for either the three months ended March 31, 2021 or 2020. Net revenues by platform, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, were as follows (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) Total Net revenues by platform: Console $ 774 $ 25 $ — $ — $ — $ 799 PC 201 422 24 — (25) 622 Mobile and ancillary (1) 133 20 581 — — 734 Other (2) 15 3 — 102 — 120 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,123 $ 470 $ 605 $ 102 $ (25) $ 2,275 Change in deferred revenues: Console $ (167) $ (6) $ — $ — $ — $ (173) PC (61) 17 (1) — — (45) Mobile and ancillary (1) (4) 2 5 — — 3 Other (2) — — — 6 — 6 Total change in deferred revenues $ (232) $ 13 $ 4 $ 6 $ — $ (209) Segment net revenues: Console $ 607 $ 19 $ — $ — $ — $ 626 PC 140 439 23 — (25) 577 Mobile and ancillary (1) 129 22 586 — — 737 Other (2) 15 3 — 108 — 126 Total segment net revenues $ 891 $ 483 $ 609 $ 108 $ (25) $ 2,066 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) Total Net revenues by platform: Console $ 567 $ 27 $ — $ — $ — $ 594 PC 126 362 25 — (15) 498 Mobile and ancillary (1) 67 29 474 — — 570 Other (2) 20 31 — 75 — 126 Total consolidated net revenues $ 780 $ 449 $ 499 $ 75 $ (15) $ 1,788 Change in deferred revenues: Console $ (223) $ (8) $ — $ — $ — $ (231) PC (37) 19 (1) — — (19) Mobile and ancillary (1) (1) (7) — — — (8) Other (2) — (1) — (7) — (8) Total change in deferred revenues $ (261) $ 3 $ (1) $ (7) $ — $ (266) Segment net revenues: Console $ 344 $ 19 $ — $ — $ — $ 363 PC 89 381 24 — (15) 479 Mobile and ancillary (1) 66 22 474 — — 562 Other (2) 20 30 — 68 — 118 Total segment net revenues $ 519 $ 452 $ 498 $ 68 $ (15) $ 1,522 (1) Net revenues from “Mobile and ancillary” include revenues from mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game-related revenues, such as standalone sales of physical merchandise and accessories. (2) Net revenues from “Other” primarily includes revenues from our Distribution business, the Overwatch League, and the Call of Duty League. (3) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments. Long-lived assets by geographic region were as follows (amounts in millions): At March 31, 2021 At December 31, 2020 Long-lived assets (1) by geographic region: Americas $ 259 $ 270 EMEA 156 166 Asia Pacific 14 17 Total long-lived assets by geographic region $ 429 $ 453 (1) The only long-lived assets that we classify by region are our long-term tangible fixed assets, which consist of property, plant, and equipment assets and lease right-of-use assets. All other long-term assets are not allocated by location.

Restructuring

Restructuring	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Restructuring	Restructuring During 2019, we began implementing a plan aimed at refocusing our resources on our largest opportunities and removing unnecessary levels of complexity from certain parts of our business. We have been: • increasing our investment in development for our largest, internally-owned franchises—across upfront releases, in-game content, mobile, and geographic expansion; • reducing certain non-development and administrative-related costs across our business; and • integrating our global and regional sales and “go-to-market,” partnerships, and sponsorships capabilities across the business, which we believe will enable us to provide better opportunities for talent, and greater expertise and scale on behalf of our business units. The restructuring actions remain in progress as we continue to focus on these goals. The following table summarizes accrued restructuring and related costs included in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet and the cumulative charges incurred (amounts in millions): Severance and employee-related costs Facilities and related costs Other costs Total Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 88 $ — $ 3 $ 91 Costs charged to expense 24 1 2 27 Cash payments (9) — (1) (10) Non-cash charge adjustment (2) (1) (1) (4) Balance at March 31, 2021 $ 101 $ — $ 3 $ 104 Cumulative charges incurred through March 31, 2021 $ 176 $ 36 $ 34 $ 246 Total restructuring and related costs by segment are (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Activision $ 1 $ 2 Blizzard 23 21 King 1 (1) Other segments (1) 2 1 Total $ 27 $ 23 (1) Includes charges outside of our reportable segments, including charges for our corporate and administrative functions. During the three months ended March 31, 2021, we incurred additional restructuring charges that are not included in the plan discussed above. Such amounts were not material. We expect to incur total aggregate pre-tax restructuring charges of approximately $310 million associated with the plan, of which we expect the remaining charges that have not yet been recognized to largely be incurred by the end of 2021. The charges associated with the plan are expected to relate to severance and employee-related costs (approximately 60% of the aggregate charge), facilities and related costs (approximately 20% of the aggregate charge), and other costs (approximately 20% of the aggregate charge), including charges for restructuring related fees and the write-down of assets. A substantial majority (approximately 70%) of the total pre-tax charge associated with the restructuring is expected to be paid in cash using amounts on hand, and such cash outlays are largely expected to be completed by the end of 2021. We do not expect to realize significant net savings in our total operating expenses as a result of our plan, as cost reductions in our selling, general and administrative activities is expected to be offset by increased investment in product development. The total charges incurred through March 31, 2021 and total expected pre-tax restructuring charges related to the plan, by segment, inclusive of amounts already incurred and inclusive of certain inventory write-downs in prior years, are presented below (amounts in millions): Total Charges Incurred Through March 31, 2021 Total Charges Expected as of March 31, 2021 Activision $ 33 $ 44 Blizzard 167 205 King 20 22 Other segments (1) 31 39 Total $ 251 $ 310 (1) Includes charges outside of our reportable segments, including charges for our corporate and administrative functions.

Interest and Other Expense (Inc

Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net	Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net Interest and other expense (income), net is comprised of the following (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Interest income $ (1) $ (16) Interest expense from debt and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs 28 23 Other expense (income), net 3 1 Interest and other expense (income), net $ 30 $ 8

Income Taxes

Income Taxes	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income Taxes	Income Taxes We account for our 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 could be different from the statutory U.S. income tax rate due to: the effect of state and local income taxes; tax rates that apply to our foreign income (including U.S. tax on foreign income); research and development credits; and certain nondeductible expenses. Our effective tax rate could fluctuate significantly from quarter to quarter based on recurring and nonrecurring factors including, but not limited to: variations in the estimated and actual level of pre-tax income or loss by jurisdiction; changes in enacted tax laws and regulations, and interpretations thereof, including with respect to tax credits and state and local income taxes; developments in tax audits and other matters; recognition of excess tax benefits and tax deficiencies from share-based payments; and certain nondeductible expenses. Changes in judgment from the evaluation of new information resulting in the recognition, derecognition, or remeasurement of a tax position taken in a prior annual period are recognized separately in the quarter of the change. The income tax expense of $146 million for the three months ended March 31, 2021, reflects, an effective tax rate of 19%, which is higher than the effective tax rate of 16% for the three months ended March 31, 2020. The increase is primarily due to a benefit recognized in the prior year in connection with the remeasurement of a U.S. deferred tax asset, partially offset by higher excess tax benefits from share-based payments in the current year. The effective tax rate of 19% for the three months ended March 31, 2021, is lower than the U.S. statutory rate of 21%, primarily due to excess tax benefits from share-based payments in the current year. Activision Blizzard’s tax years after 2008 remain open to examination by certain major taxing jurisdictions to which we are subject. The Internal Revenue Service is currently examining our federal tax returns for the 2012 through 2016 tax years. We also have several state and non-U.S. audits pending. In addition, King’s pre-acquisition tax returns remain open in various jurisdictions, primarily as a result of transfer pricing matters. We anticipate resolving King’s transfer pricing for both pre- and post-acquisition tax years through a collaborative multilateral process with the tax authorities in the relevant jurisdictions, which include the U.K. and Sweden. While the outcome of this process remains uncertain, it could result in an agreement that changes the allocation of profits and losses between these and other relevant jurisdictions or a failure to reach an agreement that results in unilateral adjustments to the amount and timing of taxable income in the jurisdictions in which King operates. In addition, certain of our subsidiaries are under examination or investigation, or may be subject to examination or investigation, by tax authorities in various jurisdictions. These proceedings may lead to adjustments or proposed adjustments to our taxes or provisions for uncertain tax positions. Such proceedings may have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity, or results of operations in the earlier of the period or periods in which the matters are resolved and in which appropriate tax provisions are taken into account in our financial statements. If we were to receive a materially adverse assessment from a taxing jurisdiction, we would plan to vigorously contest it and consider all of our options, including the pursuit of judicial remedies. We regularly assess the likelihood of adverse outcomes resulting from these examinations and monitor the progress of ongoing discussions with tax authorities in determining the appropriateness of our tax provisions. The final resolution of the Company’s global tax disputes is uncertain. There is significant judgment required in the analysis of disputes, including the probability determination and estimation of the potential exposure. Based on current information, in the opinion of the Company’s management, the ultimate resolution of these matters is not expected to have a material adverse effect on the Company’s consolidated financial position, liquidity or results of operations.

Computation of Basic_Diluted Ea

Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
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 March 31, 2021 2020 Numerator: Consolidated net income $ 619 $ 505 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per common share—weighted-average common shares outstanding 775 769 Effect of dilutive stock options and awards under the treasury stock method 8 5 Denominator for basic earnings per common share—weighted-average dilutive common shares outstanding 783 774 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.80 $ 0.66 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.79 $ 0.65 The vesting of certain of our employee-related restricted stock units is contingent upon the satisfaction of predefined performance measures. The shares underlying these equity awards are included in the weighted-average dilutive common shares only if the performance measures are met as of the end of the reporting period. Additionally, 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. Weighted-average shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Restricted stock units with performance measures not yet met 3 3 Anti-dilutive employee stock options 2 6

Capital Transactions

Capital Transactions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Capital Transactions	Capital Transactions Repurchase Program On January 27, 2021, our Board of Directors authorized a stock repurchase program under which we are authorized to repurchase up to $4.0 billion of our common stock during the two Dividends On February 4, 2021, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.47 per common share. Such dividend is payable on May 6, 2021, to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2021. We have recorded $365 million of dividends payable in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” on our condensed consolidated balance sheet as of March 31, 2021. On February 6, 2020, our Board of Directors declared a cash dividend of $0.41 per common share. On May 6, 2020, we made an aggregate cash dividend payment of $316 million to shareholders of record at the close of business on April 15, 2020.

Commitments and Contingencies

Commitments and Contingencies	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Commitments and Contingencies Disclosure [Abstract]
Commitments and Contingencies	Commitments and Contingencies Legal Proceedings We are party to routine claims, suits, investigations, audits, and other proceedings arising from the ordinary course of business, including with respect to intellectual property rights, contractual claims, labor and employment matters, regulatory matters, tax matters, unclaimed property matters, compliance matters, and collection matters. In the opinion of management, after consultation with legal counsel, such routine claims and lawsuits are not significant, and we do not expect them to have a material adverse effect on our business, financial condition, results of operations, or liquidity.

Description of Business and B_2

Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation (Policies)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Organization, Consolidation and Presentation of Financial Statements [Abstract]
Basis of Consolidation and Presentation	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 and accounting principles generally accepted in the United States of America (“U.S. GAAP”) for interim reporting. Accordingly, certain notes or other information that are normally required by U.S. GAAP have been condensed or omitted if they substantially duplicate the disclosures contained in our annual audited consolidated financial statements. Additionally, the year-end condensed consolidated balance sheet data was derived from audited financial statements but does not include all disclosures required by U.S. GAAP. Accordingly, the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements should be read in conjunction with the audited consolidated financial statements and notes thereto included in our Annual Report on Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2020. 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. Generally, making these estimates and developing our assumptions requires consideration of forecasted information, which, in context of the COVID-19 pandemic, involves additional uncertainty. While there was no material impact to our estimates in the current period, in future periods, facts and circumstances could change and impact our estimates. Additionally, actual results could differ from these estimates and assumptions. In the opinion of management, all adjustments considered necessary for the fair statement of our financial position and results of operations in accordance with U.S. GAAP (consisting of normal recurring adjustments) have been included in the accompanying unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. The accompanying condensed consolidated financial statements include the accounts and operations of the Company. All intercompany accounts and transactions have been eliminated. Certain reclassifications have been made to prior-year amounts to conform to the current period presentation.
Recently Issued Accounting Pronouncements	Recently Adopted Accounting Pronouncements Simplifying the Accounting for Income Taxes

Software Development and Inte_2

Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Software Development Costs and Intellectual Property Licenses
Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses	Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses was as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses $ 112 $ 83

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)

Intangible Assets, Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Intangible Assets, Net (Excluding Goodwill) [Abstract]
Schedule of finite-lived intangible assets	Intangible assets, net, consist of the following (amounts in millions): At March 31, 2021 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: Internally-developed franchises 3 - 11 years $ 1,154 $ (1,154) $ — Trade names and other 1 - 10 years 73 (60) 13 Total definite-lived intangible assets (1) $ 1,227 $ (1,214) $ 13 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 446 (1) At March 31, 2021, the balances of the developed software intangible assets have been removed as such amounts were fully amortized in the prior year. At December 31, 2020 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: Internally-developed franchises 3 - 11 years $ 1,154 $ (1,151) $ 3 Developed software 2 - 5 years 601 (601) — Trade names and other 1 - 10 years 73 (58) 15 Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 1,828 $ (1,810) $ 18 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 451
Schedule of indefinite-lived intangible assets	Intangible assets, net, consist of the following (amounts in millions): At March 31, 2021 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: Internally-developed franchises 3 - 11 years $ 1,154 $ (1,154) $ — Trade names and other 1 - 10 years 73 (60) 13 Total definite-lived intangible assets (1) $ 1,227 $ (1,214) $ 13 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 446 (1) At March 31, 2021, the balances of the developed software intangible assets have been removed as such amounts were fully amortized in the prior year. At December 31, 2020 Estimated useful lives Gross carrying amount Accumulated amortization Net carrying amount Acquired definite-lived intangible assets: Internally-developed franchises 3 - 11 years $ 1,154 $ (1,151) $ 3 Developed software 2 - 5 years 601 (601) — Trade names and other 1 - 10 years 73 (58) 15 Total definite-lived intangible assets $ 1,828 $ (1,810) $ 18 Acquired indefinite-lived intangible assets: Activision trademark Indefinite 386 Acquired trade names Indefinite 47 Total indefinite-lived intangible assets $ 433 Total intangible assets, net $ 451

Goodwill (Tables)

Goodwill (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Goodwill and Intangible Assets Disclosure [Abstract]
Schedule of Goodwill	The carrying amount of goodwill by reportable segment at both March 31, 2021 and December 31, 2020 was as follows (amounts in millions): Activision Blizzard King Total Goodwill $ 6,899 $ 190 $ 2,676 $ 9,765

Fair Value Measurements (Tables

Fair Value Measurements (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Fair Value Disclosures [Abstract]
Fair value, assets measured on a recurring and/or non-recurring basis	The table below segregates all of our financial assets and liabilities that are measured at fair value on a recurring basis into the most appropriate level within the fair value hierarchy based on the inputs used to determine the fair value at the measurement date (amounts in millions): Fair Value Measurements at March 31, 2021 Using As of March 31, 2021 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 $ 8,968 $ 8,968 $ — $ — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign government treasury bills 25 25 — — Cash and cash equivalents U.S. treasuries and government agency securities 227 227 — — Other current assets Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges 12 — 12 — Other current assets and Other assets Total $ 9,232 $ 9,220 $ 12 $ — Financial Liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges $ (1) $ — $ (1) $ — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges (7) — (7) — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Total $ (8) $ — $ (8) $ — Fair Value Measurements at December 31, 2020 Using As of December 31, 2020 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 $ 8,345 $ 8,345 $ — $ — Cash and cash equivalents Foreign government treasury bills 34 34 — — Cash and cash equivalents U.S. treasuries and government agency securities 164 164 — — Other current assets Total $ 8,543 $ 8,543 $ — $ — Financial Liabilities: Foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges $ (2) $ — $ (2) $ — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Foreign currency forward contracts designated as hedges (24) — (24) — Accrued expenses and other liabilities Total $ (26) $ — $ (26) $ —
Foreign currency forward contracts	The total gross notional amounts and fair values of our Cash Flow Hedges, all of which have remaining maturities of 19 months or less as of March 31, 2021, are as follows (amounts in millions): As of March 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 Notional amount Fair value gain (loss) Notional amount Fair value gain (loss) Foreign Currency: Buy USD, Sell Euro $ 850 $ 5 $ 542 $ (24) The gross notional amounts and fair values of our foreign currency forward contracts not designated as hedges are as follows (amounts in millions): As of March 31, 2021 As of December 31, 2020 Notional amount Fair value gain (loss) Notional amount Fair value gain (loss) Foreign Currency: Buy USD, Sell GBP $ 148 $ (1) $ 116 $ (2)

Debt (Tables)

Debt (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Debt Disclosure [Abstract]
Summary of debt	A summary of our outstanding unsecured senior notes is as follows (amounts in millions): At March 31, 2021 At December 31, 2020 Unsecured Senior Notes Interest Rate Semi-Annual Interest Payments Due On Maturity Principal Fair Value Principal Fair Value 2026 Notes 3.40% Mar. 15 & Sept. 15 Sept. 2026 850 930 850 970 2027 Notes 3.40% Jun. 15 & Dec. 15 Jun. 2027 400 438 400 454 2030 Notes 1.35% Mar. 15 & Sept. 15 Sept. 2030 500 450 500 490 2047 Notes 4.50% Jun. 15 & Dec. 15 Jun. 2047 400 469 400 525 2050 Notes 2.50% Mar. 15 & Sept. 15 Sept. 2050 1,500 1,258 1,500 1,462 Total gross long-term debt $ 3,650 $ 3,650 Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs (44) (45) Total net carrying amount $ 3,606 $ 3,605

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_2

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss), Net of Tax [Abstract]
Schedule of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss)	The components of accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities Total Balance at December 31, 2020 $ (589) $ (28) $ (5) $ (622) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (5) 20 (3) 12 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings — 9 1 10 Balance at March 31, 2021 $ (594) $ 1 $ (7) $ (600) For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Foreign currency translation adjustments Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities Total Balance at December 31, 2019 $ (624) $ 8 $ (3) $ (619) Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications (12) 10 4 2 Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings (2) (9) — (11) Balance at March 31, 2020 $ (638) $ 9 $ 1 $ (628)

Operating Segments and Geogra_2

Operating Segments and Geographic Region (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
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 reportable segment net revenues and operating income for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, are presented below (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Activision Blizzard King Total Segment Net Revenues Net revenues from external customers $ 891 $ 458 $ 609 $ 1,958 Intersegment net revenues (1) — 25 — 25 Segment net revenues $ 891 $ 483 $ 609 $ 1,983 Segment operating income $ 442 $ 208 $ 203 $ 853 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Activision Blizzard King Total Segment Net Revenues Net revenues from external customers $ 519 $ 437 $ 498 $ 1,454 Intersegment net revenues (1) — 15 — 15 Segment net revenues $ 519 $ 452 $ 498 $ 1,469 Segment operating income $ 184 $ 197 $ 156 $ 537 (1) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments. Reconciliations of total segment net revenues and total segment operating income to consolidated net revenues and consolidated income before income tax expense are presented in the table below (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Reconciliation to consolidated net revenues: Segment net revenues $ 1,983 $ 1,469 Revenues from non-reportable segments (1) 108 68 Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues (2) 209 266 Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) (25) (15) Consolidated net revenues $ 2,275 $ 1,788 Reconciliation to consolidated income before income tax expense: Segment operating income $ 853 $ 537 Operating income (loss) from non-reportable segments (1) (4) 3 Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues (2) 132 171 Share-based compensation expense (151) (43) Amortization of intangible assets (5) (33) Restructuring and related costs ( Note 11 ) (30) (23) Consolidated operating income 795 612 Interest and other expense (income), net 30 8 Consolidated income before income tax expense $ 765 $ 604 (1) Includes other income and expenses outside of our reportable segments, including our Distribution business and unallocated corporate income and expenses. (2) Reflects the net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues, along with related cost of revenues, on certain of our online-enabled products. (3) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.
Schedule of net revenues by distribution channels	Net revenues by distribution channel, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, were as follows (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) Total Net revenues by distribution channel: Digital online channels (1) $ 965 $ 461 $ 605 $ — $ (25) $ 2,006 Retail channels 143 6 — — — 149 Other (2) 15 3 — 102 — 120 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,123 $ 470 $ 605 $ 102 $ (25) $ 2,275 Change in deferred revenues: Digital online channels (1) $ (162) $ 17 $ 4 $ — $ — $ (141) Retail channels (70) (4) — — — (74) Other (2) — — — 6 — 6 Total change in deferred revenues $ (232) $ 13 $ 4 $ 6 $ — $ (209) Segment net revenues: Digital online channels (1) $ 803 $ 478 $ 609 $ — $ (25) $ 1,865 Retail channels 73 2 — — — 75 Other (2) 15 3 — 108 — 126 Total segment net revenues $ 891 $ 483 $ 609 $ 108 $ (25) $ 2,066 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) Total Net revenues by distribution channel: Digital online channels (1) $ 548 $ 409 $ 499 $ — $ (15) $ 1,441 Retail channels 212 9 — — — 221 Other (2) 20 31 — 75 — 126 Total consolidated net revenues $ 780 $ 449 $ 499 $ 75 $ (15) $ 1,788 Change in deferred revenues: Digital online channels (1) $ (93) $ 8 $ (1) $ — $ — $ (86) Retail channels (168) (4) — — — (172) Other (2) — (1) — (7) — (8) Total change in deferred revenues $ (261) $ 3 $ (1) $ (7) $ — $ (266) Segment net revenues: Digital online channels (1) $ 455 $ 417 $ 498 $ — $ (15) $ 1,355 Retail channels 44 5 — — — 49 Other (2) 20 30 — 68 — 118 Total segment net revenues $ 519 $ 452 $ 498 $ 68 $ (15) $ 1,522 (1) Net revenues from “Digital online channels” include revenues from digitally-distributed downloadable content, microtransactions, subscriptions, and products, as well as licensing royalties. (2) Net revenues from “Other” include revenues from our Distribution business, the Overwatch League, and the Call of Duty League. (3) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.
Schedule of net revenues by geographic region	Geographic information presented below is based on the location of the paying customer. Net revenues by geographic region, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, were as follows (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (2) Total Net revenues by geographic region: Americas $ 725 $ 210 $ 386 $ — $ (14) $ 1,307 EMEA (1) 311 167 160 102 (9) 731 Asia Pacific 87 93 59 — (2) 237 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,123 $ 470 $ 605 $ 102 $ (25) $ 2,275 Change in deferred revenues: Americas $ (131) $ 5 $ 5 $ — $ — $ (121) EMEA (1) (77) 7 (1) 6 — (65) Asia Pacific (24) 1 — — — (23) Total change in deferred revenues $ (232) $ 13 $ 4 $ 6 $ — $ (209) Segment net revenues: Americas $ 594 $ 215 $ 391 $ — $ (14) $ 1,186 EMEA (1) 234 174 159 108 (9) 666 Asia Pacific 63 94 59 — (2) 214 Total segment net revenues $ 891 $ 483 $ 609 $ 108 $ (25) $ 2,066 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (2) Total Net revenues by geographic region: Americas $ 472 $ 172 $ 311 $ — $ (7) $ 948 EMEA (1) 239 121 136 75 (5) 566 Asia Pacific 69 156 52 — (3) 274 Total consolidated net revenues $ 780 $ 449 $ 499 $ 75 $ (15) $ 1,788 Change in deferred revenues: Americas $ (146) $ 2 $ 1 $ — $ — $ (143) EMEA (1) (96) 3 (1) (7) — (101) Asia Pacific (19) (2) (1) — — (22) Total change in deferred revenues $ (261) $ 3 $ (1) $ (7) $ — $ (266) Segment net revenues: Americas $ 326 $ 174 $ 312 $ — $ (7) $ 805 EMEA (1) 143 124 135 68 (5) 465 Asia Pacific 50 154 51 — (3) 252 Total segment net revenues $ 519 $ 452 $ 498 $ 68 $ (15) $ 1,522 (1) “EMEA” consists of the Europe, Middle East, and Africa geographic regions. (2) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.
Schedule of net revenues by platform	Net revenues by platform, including a reconciliation to each of our reportable segment’s net revenues, for the three months ended March 31, 2021 and 2020, were as follows (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) Total Net revenues by platform: Console $ 774 $ 25 $ — $ — $ — $ 799 PC 201 422 24 — (25) 622 Mobile and ancillary (1) 133 20 581 — — 734 Other (2) 15 3 — 102 — 120 Total consolidated net revenues $ 1,123 $ 470 $ 605 $ 102 $ (25) $ 2,275 Change in deferred revenues: Console $ (167) $ (6) $ — $ — $ — $ (173) PC (61) 17 (1) — — (45) Mobile and ancillary (1) (4) 2 5 — — 3 Other (2) — — — 6 — 6 Total change in deferred revenues $ (232) $ 13 $ 4 $ 6 $ — $ (209) Segment net revenues: Console $ 607 $ 19 $ — $ — $ — $ 626 PC 140 439 23 — (25) 577 Mobile and ancillary (1) 129 22 586 — — 737 Other (2) 15 3 — 108 — 126 Total segment net revenues $ 891 $ 483 $ 609 $ 108 $ (25) $ 2,066 Three Months Ended March 31, 2020 Activision Blizzard King Non-reportable segments Elimination of intersegment revenues (3) Total Net revenues by platform: Console $ 567 $ 27 $ — $ — $ — $ 594 PC 126 362 25 — (15) 498 Mobile and ancillary (1) 67 29 474 — — 570 Other (2) 20 31 — 75 — 126 Total consolidated net revenues $ 780 $ 449 $ 499 $ 75 $ (15) $ 1,788 Change in deferred revenues: Console $ (223) $ (8) $ — $ — $ — $ (231) PC (37) 19 (1) — — (19) Mobile and ancillary (1) (1) (7) — — — (8) Other (2) — (1) — (7) — (8) Total change in deferred revenues $ (261) $ 3 $ (1) $ (7) $ — $ (266) Segment net revenues: Console $ 344 $ 19 $ — $ — $ — $ 363 PC 89 381 24 — (15) 479 Mobile and ancillary (1) 66 22 474 — — 562 Other (2) 20 30 — 68 — 118 Total segment net revenues $ 519 $ 452 $ 498 $ 68 $ (15) $ 1,522 (1) Net revenues from “Mobile and ancillary” include revenues from mobile devices, as well as non-platform specific game-related revenues, such as standalone sales of physical merchandise and accessories. (2) Net revenues from “Other” primarily includes revenues from our Distribution business, the Overwatch League, and the Call of Duty League. (3) Intersegment revenues reflect licensing and service fees charged between segments.
Long-lived assets by geographic region	Long-lived assets by geographic region were as follows (amounts in millions): At March 31, 2021 At December 31, 2020 Long-lived assets (1) by geographic region: Americas $ 259 $ 270 EMEA 156 166 Asia Pacific 14 17 Total long-lived assets by geographic region $ 429 $ 453 (1) The only long-lived assets that we classify by region are our long-term tangible fixed assets, which consist of property, plant, and equipment assets and lease right-of-use assets. All other long-term assets are not allocated by location.

Restructuring (Tables)

Restructuring (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Restructuring and Related Activities [Abstract]
Schedule of Accrued Restructuring Included in Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities and Charges by Reportable Segment	The following table summarizes accrued restructuring and related costs included in “Accrued expenses and other liabilities” in our condensed consolidated balance sheet and the cumulative charges incurred (amounts in millions): Severance and employee-related costs Facilities and related costs Other costs Total Balance at December 31, 2020 $ 88 $ — $ 3 $ 91 Costs charged to expense 24 1 2 27 Cash payments (9) — (1) (10) Non-cash charge adjustment (2) (1) (1) (4) Balance at March 31, 2021 $ 101 $ — $ 3 $ 104 Cumulative charges incurred through March 31, 2021 $ 176 $ 36 $ 34 $ 246
Schedule of Restructuring and Related Costs by Segment and Expected Pre-tax Restructuring Charges	Total restructuring and related costs by segment are (amounts in millions): Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Activision $ 1 $ 2 Blizzard 23 21 King 1 (1) Other segments (1) 2 1 Total $ 27 $ 23 (1) Includes charges outside of our reportable segments, including charges for our corporate and administrative functions. The total charges incurred through March 31, 2021 and total expected pre-tax restructuring charges related to the plan, by segment, inclusive of amounts already incurred and inclusive of certain inventory write-downs in prior years, are presented below (amounts in millions): Total Charges Incurred Through March 31, 2021 Total Charges Expected as of March 31, 2021 Activision $ 33 $ 44 Blizzard 167 205 King 20 22 Other segments (1) 31 39 Total $ 251 $ 310 (1) Includes charges outside of our reportable segments, including charges for our corporate and administrative functions.

Interest and Other Expense (I_2

Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Interest and other investment income (expense)	Interest and other expense (income), net is comprised of the following (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Interest income $ (1) $ (16) Interest expense from debt and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs 28 23 Other expense (income), net 3 1 Interest and other expense (income), net $ 30 $ 8

Computation of Basic_Diluted _2

Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share (Tables)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021
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 March 31, 2021 2020 Numerator: Consolidated net income $ 619 $ 505 Denominator: Denominator for basic earnings per common share—weighted-average common shares outstanding 775 769 Effect of dilutive stock options and awards under the treasury stock method 8 5 Denominator for basic earnings per common share—weighted-average dilutive common shares outstanding 783 774 Basic earnings per common share $ 0.80 $ 0.66 Diluted earnings per common share $ 0.79 $ 0.65
Schedule of antidilutive securities excluded from computation of earnings per share	Weighted-average shares excluded from the computation of diluted earnings per share were as follows (amounts in millions): For the Three Months Ended March 31, 2021 2020 Restricted stock units with performance measures not yet met 3 3 Anti-dilutive employee stock options 2 6

Description of Business and B_3

Description of Business and Basis of Consolidation and Presentation (Details)	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021segment
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments	3

Software Development and Inte_3

Software Development and Intellectual Property Licenses (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Software development and intellectual property licenses:
Software development costs	$ 490		$ 512
Amortization:
Amortization of capitalized software development costs and intellectual property licenses	$ 112	$ 83

Intangible Assets, Net - Schedu

Intangible Assets, Net - Schedule of Intangible Assets, Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended		12 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	$ 1,227		$ 1,828
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets	(1,214)		(1,810)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	13		18
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Net carrying amount, indefinite-lived intangible assets	433		433
Total intangible assets, net	446		451
Amortization Expense Disclosure
Amortization expense	5	$ 33
Activision trademark
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Net carrying amount, indefinite-lived intangible assets	386		386
Acquired trade names
Indefinite Lived Intangible Assets
Net carrying amount, indefinite-lived intangible assets	47		47
Internally-developed franchises
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	1,154		1,154
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets	(1,154)		(1,151)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	$ 0		$ 3
Internally-developed franchises | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life	3 years		3 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			$ 601
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets			(601)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets			$ 0
Developed software | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			2 years
Developed software | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life			5 years
Trade names and other
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Gross carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	$ 73		$ 73
Accumulated amortization, definite-lived intangible assets	(60)		(58)
Net carrying amount, definite-lived intangible assets	$ 13		$ 15
Trade names and other | Minimum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life	1 year		1 year
Trade names and other | Maximum
Finite-Lived Intangible Assets
Estimated useful life	10 years		10 years

Goodwill (Details)

Goodwill (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 9,765	$ 9,765
Activision
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	6,899	6,899
Blizzard
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	190	190
King
Goodwill [Line Items]
Goodwill	$ 2,676	$ 2,676

Fair Value Measurements - Recur

Fair Value Measurements - Recurring Basis (Details) - Recurring - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	$ 9,232	$ 8,543
Total liabilities at fair value	(8)	(26)
Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	9,220	8,543
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	12	0
Total liabilities at fair value	(8)	(26)
Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3)
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	8,968	8,345
Cash and cash equivalents | Foreign government treasury bills
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	25	34
Cash and cash equivalents | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	8,968	8,345
Cash and cash equivalents | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign government treasury bills
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	25	34
Cash and cash equivalents | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign government treasury bills
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Money market funds
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Cash and cash equivalents | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign government treasury bills
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Other current assets | U.S. treasuries and government agency securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	227	164
Other current assets | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | U.S. treasuries and government agency securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	227	164
Other current assets | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | U.S. treasuries and government agency securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Other current assets | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | U.S. treasuries and government agency securities
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0	0
Other assets | Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	12
Other assets | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0
Other assets | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	12
Other assets | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total assets at fair value	0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | Foreign currency forward contracts | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	(1)	(2)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	(7)	(24)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign currency forward contracts | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | Quoted Prices in Active Markets for Identical Assets (Level 1) | Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign currency forward contracts | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	(1)	(2)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2) | Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	(7)	(24)
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign currency forward contracts | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	0	0
Accrued expenses and other liabilities | Significant Unobservable Inputs (Level 3) | Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument
Fair Value, Assets and Liabilities Measured on Recurring Basis [Line Items]
Total liabilities at fair value	$ 0	$ 0

Fair Value Measurements - Forei

Fair Value Measurements - Foreign Currency Forward Contracts (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Foreign currency forward contracts | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Contract maturity (or less)	19 months
Buy USD, Sell Euro | Designated as Hedging Instrument | Cash Flow Hedging
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount	$ 850	$ 542
Fair value gain (loss)	5	(24)
Buy USD, Sell GBP | Not Designated as Hedging Instrument
Derivatives, Fair Value [Line Items]
Notional amount	148	116
Fair value gain (loss)	$ (1)	$ (2)

Deferred revenues (Details)

Deferred revenues (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020	Dec. 31, 2020
Revenue from Contract with Customer [Abstract]
Deferred revenues	$ 1.5		$ 1.7
Revenue recognized included in beginning deferred revenue	$ 1.1	$ 0.8

Deferred revenues - Remaining P

Deferred revenues - Remaining Performance Obligation (Details) $ in Billions	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Contracted not recognized revenue	$ 2.2
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2021-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Contracted not recognized revenue	$ 1.7
Contracted not recognized revenue, period	1 year
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction, Start Date [Axis]: 2022-04-01
Revenue, Remaining Performance Obligation, Expected Timing of Satisfaction [Line Items]
Contracted not recognized revenue	$ 0.4
Contracted not recognized revenue, period	1 year

Debt - Credit Facilities (Detai

Debt - Credit Facilities (Details) - Revolver - USD ($)	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Line of Credit Facility [Line Items]
Maximum borrowing capacity	$ 1,500,000,000	$ 1,500,000,000
Long-term line of credit	$ 0

Debt - Summary of Debt (Details

Debt - Summary of Debt (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021	Dec. 31, 2020
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Total gross long-term debt	$ 3,650	$ 3,650
Unamortized discount and deferred financing costs	(44)	(45)
Total net carrying amount	$ 3,606	$ 3,605
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2026 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.40%	3.40%
Total gross long-term debt	$ 850	$ 850
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2026 Notes | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair Value (Level 2)	$ 930	$ 970
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2027 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	3.40%	3.40%
Total gross long-term debt	$ 400	$ 400
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2027 Notes | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair Value (Level 2)	$ 438	$ 454
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2030 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	1.35%	1.35%
Total gross long-term debt	$ 500	$ 500
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2030 Notes | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair Value (Level 2)	$ 450	$ 490
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2047 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	4.50%	4.50%
Total gross long-term debt	$ 400	$ 400
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2047 Notes | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair Value (Level 2)	$ 469	$ 525
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2050 Notes
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Interest rate	2.50%	2.50%
Total gross long-term debt	$ 1,500	$ 1,500
Unsecured Debt | Unsecured 2050 Notes | Significant Other Observable Inputs (Level 2)
Debt Instrument [Line Items]
Fair Value (Level 2)	$ 1,258	$ 1,462

Accumulated Other Comprehensi_3

Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	$ 15,037	$ 12,805
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	12	2
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings	10	(11)
Ending balance	15,331	13,021
Foreign currency translation adjustments
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(589)	(624)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(5)	(12)
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings	0	(2)
Ending balance	(594)	(638)
Unrealized gain (loss) on forward contracts
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(28)	8
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	20	10
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings	9	(9)
Ending balance	1	9
Unrealized gain (loss) on available-for-sale securities
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(5)	(3)
Other comprehensive income (loss) before reclassifications	(3)	4
Amounts reclassified from accumulated other comprehensive income (loss) into earnings	1	0
Ending balance	(7)	1
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss)
Accumulated Other Comprehensive Income (Loss) [Roll Forward]
Beginning balance	(622)	(619)
Ending balance	$ (600)	$ (628)

Operating Segments and Geogra_3

Operating Segments and Geographic Region (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)segment	Mar. 31, 2020USD ($)	Dec. 31, 2020USD ($)
Segment Reporting [Abstract]
Number of reportable segments | segment	3
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	$ 2,066	$ 1,522
Operating income	795	612
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(209)	(266)
Net revenues	2,275	1,788
Amortization of intangible assets	(5)	(33)
Restructuring costs	(30)	(23)
Interest and other expense (income), net (Note 12)	30	8
Income before income tax expense	765	604
Long-lived assets	429		$ 453
Digital online channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	1,865	1,355
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(141)	(86)
Net revenues	2,006	1,441
Retail channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	75	49
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(74)	(172)
Net revenues	149	221
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	126	118
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	6	(8)
Net revenues	120	126
Console
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	626	363
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(173)	(231)
Net revenues	799	594
PC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	577	479
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(45)	(19)
Net revenues	622	498
Mobile and ancillary
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	737	562
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	3	(8)
Net revenues	734	570
Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	126	118
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	6	(8)
Net revenues	120	126
Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	1,186	805
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(121)	(143)
Net revenues	1,307	$ 948
Long-lived assets	$ 259		270
US | Revenues | Geographic Concentration Risk
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues as a percentage of consolidated net revenues	50.00%	47.00%
EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	$ 666	$ 465
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(65)	(101)
Net revenues	731	$ 566
Long-lived assets	$ 156		166
UK | Revenues | Geographic Concentration Risk
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Revenues as a percentage of consolidated net revenues	11.00%	9.00%
Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	$ 214	$ 252
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(23)	(22)
Net revenues	237	274
Long-lived assets	14		$ 17
Reportable segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	1,983	1,469
Operating income	853	537
Reportable segments | Net revenues from external customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	1,958	1,454
Reportable segments | Intersegment net revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	25	15
Reportable segments | Activision
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	891	519
Operating income	442	184
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(232)	(261)
Net revenues	1,123	780
Reportable segments | Activision | Net revenues from external customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	891	519
Reportable segments | Activision | Intersegment net revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Reportable segments | Activision | Digital online channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	803	455
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(162)	(93)
Net revenues	965	548
Reportable segments | Activision | Retail channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	73	44
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(70)	(168)
Net revenues	143	212
Reportable segments | Activision | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	15	20
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	15	20
Reportable segments | Activision | Console
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	607	344
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(167)	(223)
Net revenues	774	567
Reportable segments | Activision | PC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	140	89
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(61)	(37)
Net revenues	201	126
Reportable segments | Activision | Mobile and ancillary
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	129	66
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(4)	(1)
Net revenues	133	67
Reportable segments | Activision | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	15	20
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	15	20
Reportable segments | Activision | Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	594	326
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(131)	(146)
Net revenues	725	472
Reportable segments | Activision | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	234	143
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(77)	(96)
Net revenues	311	239
Reportable segments | Activision | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	63	50
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(24)	(19)
Net revenues	87	69
Reportable segments | Blizzard
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	483	452
Operating income	208	197
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	13	3
Net revenues	470	449
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Net revenues from external customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	458	437
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Intersegment net revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	25	15
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Digital online channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	478	417
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	17	8
Net revenues	461	409
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Retail channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	2	5
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(4)	(4)
Net revenues	6	9
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	3	30
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	(1)
Net revenues	3	31
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Console
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	19	19
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(6)	(8)
Net revenues	25	27
Reportable segments | Blizzard | PC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	439	381
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	17	19
Net revenues	422	362
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Mobile and ancillary
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	22	22
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	2	(7)
Net revenues	20	29
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	3	30
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	(1)
Net revenues	3	31
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	215	174
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	5	2
Net revenues	210	172
Reportable segments | Blizzard | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	174	124
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	7	3
Net revenues	167	121
Reportable segments | Blizzard | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	94	154
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	1	(2)
Net revenues	93	156
Reportable segments | King
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	609	498
Operating income	203	156
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	4	(1)
Net revenues	605	499
Reportable segments | King | Net revenues from external customers
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	609	498
Reportable segments | King | Intersegment net revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Reportable segments | King | Digital online channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	609	498
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	4	(1)
Net revenues	605	499
Reportable segments | King | Retail channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Reportable segments | King | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Reportable segments | King | Console
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Reportable segments | King | PC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	23	24
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(1)	(1)
Net revenues	24	25
Reportable segments | King | Mobile and ancillary
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	586	474
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	5	0
Net revenues	581	474
Reportable segments | King | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Reportable segments | King | Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	391	312
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	5	1
Net revenues	386	311
Reportable segments | King | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	159	135
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	(1)	(1)
Net revenues	160	136
Reportable segments | King | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	59	51
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	(1)
Net revenues	59	52
Non-reportable segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	108	68
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	6	(7)
Net revenues	102	75
Non-reportable segments | Digital online channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Non-reportable segments | Retail channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Non-reportable segments | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	108	68
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	6	(7)
Net revenues	102	75
Non-reportable segments | Console
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Non-reportable segments | PC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Non-reportable segments | Mobile and ancillary
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Non-reportable segments | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	108	68
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	6	(7)
Net revenues	102	75
Non-reportable segments | Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Non-reportable segments | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	108	68
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	6	(7)
Net revenues	102	75
Non-reportable segments | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Reconciling items
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	209	266
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues and related cost of revenues	132	171
Share-based compensation expense	(151)	(43)
Amortization of intangible assets	(5)	(33)
Restructuring costs	(30)	(23)
Reconciling items | Other segments
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Operating income	(4)	3
Elimination of intersegment revenues
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	(25)	(15)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	(25)	(15)
Elimination of intersegment revenues | Digital online channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	(25)	(15)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	(25)	(15)
Elimination of intersegment revenues | Retail channels
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Elimination of intersegment revenues | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Elimination of intersegment revenues | Console
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Elimination of intersegment revenues | PC
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	(25)	(15)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	(25)	(15)
Elimination of intersegment revenues | Mobile and ancillary
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Elimination of intersegment revenues | Other
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	0	0
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	0	0
Elimination of intersegment revenues | Americas
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	(14)	(7)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	(14)	(7)
Elimination of intersegment revenues | EMEA
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	(9)	(5)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	(9)	(5)
Elimination of intersegment revenues | Asia Pacific
Segment Reporting Information [Line Items]
Segment revenues	(2)	(3)
Net effect from recognition (deferral) of deferred net revenues	0	0
Net revenues	$ (2)	$ (3)

Restructuring - Schedule of Acc

Restructuring - Schedule of Accrued Restructuring Included in Accrued Expenses and Other Liabilities by Cost Type (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Costs charged to expense	$ 30	$ 23
Cumulative charges	251
2019 Restructuring
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	91
Costs charged to expense	27	$ 23
Cash payments	(10)
Non-cash charge adjustment	(4)
Balance, ending	104
Cumulative charges	246
2019 Restructuring | Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	88
Costs charged to expense	24
Cash payments	(9)
Non-cash charge adjustment	(2)
Balance, ending	101
Cumulative charges	176
2019 Restructuring | Facilities and related costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	0
Costs charged to expense	1
Cash payments	0
Non-cash charge adjustment	(1)
Balance, ending	0
Cumulative charges	36
2019 Restructuring | Other costs
Restructuring Reserve [Roll Forward]
Balance, beginning	3
Costs charged to expense	2
Cash payments	(1)
Non-cash charge adjustment	(1)
Balance, ending	3
Cumulative charges	$ 34

Restructuring - Total Restructu

Restructuring - Total Restructuring and Related Costs by Segment (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs	$ 30	$ 23
2019 Restructuring
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs	27	23
2019 Restructuring | Activision
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs	1	2
2019 Restructuring | Blizzard
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs	23	21
2019 Restructuring | King
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs	1	(1)
2019 Restructuring | Other segments
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Restructuring and related costs	$ 2	$ 1

Restructuring - Narrative (Deta

Restructuring - Narrative (Details) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total expected pre-tax restructuring charges	$ 310
2019 Restructuring
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Total expected pre-tax restructuring charges	$ 310
Percentage expected to be paid with cash on hand	70.00%
2019 Restructuring | Severance and employee-related costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of aggregate charge	60.00%
2019 Restructuring | Facilities and related costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of aggregate charge	20.00%
2019 Restructuring | Other costs
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Percentage of aggregate charge	20.00%

Restructuring - Schedule of Tot

Restructuring - Schedule of Total Expected Pre-tax Restructuring Charges (Details) $ in Millions	Mar. 31, 2021USD ($)
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative charges	$ 251
Total Charges Expected as of March 31, 2021	310
Activision
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative charges	33
Total Charges Expected as of March 31, 2021	44
Blizzard
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative charges	167
Total Charges Expected as of March 31, 2021	205
King
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative charges	20
Total Charges Expected as of March 31, 2021	22
Other segments
Restructuring Cost and Reserve [Line Items]
Cumulative charges	31
Total Charges Expected as of March 31, 2021	$ 39

Interest and Other Expense (I_3

Interest and Other Expense (Income), Net (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Other Income and Expenses [Abstract]
Interest income	$ (1)	$ (16)
Interest expense from debt and amortization of debt discount and deferred financing costs	28	23
Other expense (income), net	3	1
Interest and other expense (income), net	$ 30	$ 8

Income Taxes (Details)

Income Taxes (Details) - USD ($) $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Income Tax Disclosure [Abstract]
Income tax expense	$ 146	$ 99
Effective tax rate (in percent)	19.00%	16.00%

Computation of Basic_Diluted _3

Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - Computation EPS (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, shares in Millions, $ in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Numerator:
Consolidated net income	$ 619	$ 505
Denominator:
Denominator for basic earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding (in shares)	775	769
Employee stock options and awards (in shares)	8	5
Denominator for diluted earnings per common share - weighted-average common shares outstanding plus dilutive common shares under treasury stock method (in shares)	783	774
Basic earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.80	$ 0.66
Diluted earnings per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.79	$ 0.65

Computation of Basic_Diluted _4

Computation of Basic/Diluted Earnings Per Common Share - Weighted-Average Shares Excluded from the Computation of Diluted Earnings Per Share (Details) - shares shares in Millions	3 Months Ended
	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Earnings Per Share [Abstract]
Restricted stock units and options with underlying performance measures that had not yet been met (in shares)	3	3
Options
Antidilutive Securities Excluded from Computation of Earnings Per Share [Line Items]
Anti-dilutive options to purchase shares of common stock (in shares)	2	6

Capital Transactions - Repurcha

Capital Transactions - Repurchase Program (Details) - USD ($) $ in Billions	Jan. 27, 2021	Mar. 31, 2021
Equity [Abstract]
Share repurchase program, dollar amount authorized	$ 4
Period in force	2 years
Shares of common stock repurchased (in shares)		0

Capital Transactions - Dividend

Capital Transactions - Dividends (Details) - USD ($) $ / shares in Units, $ in Millions	Feb. 04, 2021	May 06, 2020	Feb. 06, 2020	Mar. 31, 2021	Mar. 31, 2020
Dividends
Dividends per common share (in dollars per share)	$ 0.47		$ 0.41	$ 0.47	$ 0.41
Cash dividend payment		$ 316
Dividends payable				$ 365

Uncategorized Items - atvi-2021

Label	Element	Value
Accounting Standards Update [Extensible List]	us-gaap_AccountingStandardsUpdateExtensibleList	us-gaap:AccountingStandardsUpdate201613Member