I mean, Microsoft seems to be one of the lesser evil, but that's only at the moment. I'm afraid they want to be some sort of a monopoly with so many developers and brands that they have. They have very deep pockets and I think they have bought even more developers than I'd feel comfortable with. In this Activision Blizzard can't get any worse than what they are now, but we will see how this situation develops.
If it's really just about money factor,
the sky is the limit for Microsoft.
Microsoft has acquire Activision Blizzard in a $68.7 billion deal
a frigging $68.7 billion !
meanwhile if the other companies are willing to be acquired,
they could settle less :
-Electronic Arts: $38.88
-Take Two Interactive: $18.23
-Nexon: $15.52
-Bandai Namco: $15.44
-Netmarble $7.46
-Ubisoft: $6.58
-Konami: $6.09
-Square Enix: $5.59
-Capcom: $4.60
-SEGA: $3.73
But that's only if they're willing,
which thankfully most of them are not ... for now.
Especially Japanese companies...
SEGA, Capcom, and Nintendo are Kabushiki Kaisha's which means they cannot be straight up bought out buy a foreign corporation.
They could sell IP's to Microsoft or they could strike exclusivity deals, but no buyouts.
That's why Nintendo were laughing when Microsoft tried to buy them.
https://www.engadget.com/microsoft-wanted-to-buy-nintendo-145746874.html