Vivendi Games
A former Vivendi video-game publishing and holding company that brought together properties including Sierra On-Line and Blizzard Entertainment before merging with Activision in 2008.
Last updated August 22, 2026
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Overview
Vivendi Games, Inc. was an American video-game publisher and holding company headquartered in Los Angeles. It was the product of a series of acquisitions, reorganizations, and corporate renamings that began in 1996, when CUC International moved into software publishing by acquiring Davidson & Associates and Sierra On-Line. Davidson & Associates brought Blizzard Entertainment into the enlarged group, giving the new organization a portfolio that included educational software, entertainment software, and prominent personal-computer game properties. The business was initially organized as CUC Software, with operations centered on Davidson & Associates in Torrance, California. Davidson & Associates and Sierra On-Line continued to operate as distinct businesses under the new umbrella. CUC Software expanded further through the acquisition of Knowledge Adventure in 1996 and Berkeley Systems in 1997. These additions broadened the portfolio beyond traditional game publishing into children's educational products, utility software, and other consumer software categories. Corporate changes at the parent-company level repeatedly altered the division's identity. CUC International merged with Hospitality Franchise Systems in 1997, creating Cendant, and CUC Software was consequently renamed Cendant Software. In 1998, Havas announced the purchase of Cendant Software for cash consideration with a performance-related contingent component. Following the transaction, the unit became Havas Interactive. The Havas business was subsequently absorbed into the Vivendi structure, and in 2001 Havas Interactive was renamed Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing. Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing was divided into North American and international operations before being consolidated under the Vivendi Universal Games name in November 2001. The business remained under Vivendi Universal even after the group sold other media operations to General Electric in 2003. In 2006, following Vivendi Universal's removal of “Universal” from its corporate name, the games unit became Vivendi Games. The company also established a mobile-games division during this period, reflecting the industry's expansion beyond boxed personal-computer and console releases. Vivendi Games' significance came from its role as a holding and publishing structure rather than from a single consumer-facing product line. Its portfolio inherited or controlled established labels and properties, including Blizzard Entertainment, Sierra On-Line, Davidson & Associates, Knowledge Adventure, Berkeley Systems, and assets associated with Universal Interactive Studios. The structure allowed Vivendi to manage a range of development and publishing operations across North American and international markets, while individual labels retained varying degrees of identity and autonomy. In December 2007, Activision announced a proposed combination with Vivendi Games. The transaction was designed to create Activision Blizzard, a new holding company combining Activision's publishing business with Vivendi Games and Vivendi's related game assets. Activision shareholders approved the transaction on July 8, 2008, and the merger closed on July 10, 2008. Vivendi Games was dissolved as a separate company. Bruce Hack, its chief executive, joined the resulting company as vice-chairman and chief corporate officer. Activision Blizzard later discontinued some inherited properties, stating that they did not fit its longer-term strategic direction. Vivendi Games therefore survives primarily through the corporate history, labels, intellectual property, and organizational assets incorporated into Activision Blizzard.
History
Vivendi Games originated in CUC International's 1996 entry into the software business. On February 21, 1996, CUC announced plans to acquire Davidson & Associates and Sierra On-Line through a stock transaction. The deal closed on July 24. Davidson & Associates included Blizzard Entertainment, while Sierra On-Line was an established publisher and developer of personal-computer games. CUC created CUC Software around Davidson's Torrance, California operations and initially allowed Davidson & Associates and Sierra On-Line to function as separate businesses. Bob Davidson, Davidson's co-founder, became chairman and chief executive of the new organization. The portfolio expanded later in 1996 when CUC announced the acquisition of Knowledge Adventure, a developer of educational software. The deal was completed in February 1997. Shortly afterward, Bob Davidson left his executive positions at CUC Software, and Christopher McLeod assumed responsibility for the organization. CUC also acquired Berkeley Systems in April 1997. These transactions gave the group a broader mix of game publishing, children's education, and consumer software assets. A major change came from CUC International's merger with Hospitality Franchise Systems. Completed in December 1997, the transaction created Cendant and resulted in CUC Software being renamed Cendant Software. In November 1998, Havas announced that it would acquire Cendant Software. The transaction included cash consideration and a possible additional payment linked to performance. After the acquisition, the business operated as Havas Interactive. The division changed names again as Havas was integrated into the Vivendi corporate structure. In May 2001, Havas Interactive became Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing. Its operations were divided into North American and international units, and in November of the same year those units were brought together under the Vivendi Universal Games name. The games operation was placed directly under Vivendi Universal after the group disposed of its broader publishing interests. Vivendi Universal retained the games business after selling its media operations to General Electric in 2003. In March 2006, the parent company dropped “Universal” from its name, and the games division became Vivendi Games. A mobile-games unit was also established at this stage. Throughout this period, the organization functioned primarily as a publishing and holding structure for multiple labels and properties rather than as a single unified consumer brand. The final stage of the company's history was its combination with Activision. In December 2007, Activision announced an agreement to merge with Vivendi Games and form Activision Blizzard. Activision shareholders approved the transaction on July 8, 2008, and the merger was finalized on July 10. Vivendi Games was dissolved, while Bruce Hack moved into the role of vice-chairman and chief corporate officer at the new company. Activision Blizzard subsequently dropped some inherited properties that it considered inconsistent with its long-term strategy. The former Vivendi Games organization is consequently best understood as a predecessor structure whose labels, employees, intellectual property, and publishing assets were absorbed into Activision Blizzard.
- 2008
Merger with Activision creates Activision Blizzard
[1]The merger closed in July, dissolving Vivendi Games as an independent company.
- 2006
Vivendi Games name and mobile division
[1]Following the parent company's name change, the division became Vivendi Games and opened a mobile-games unit.
- 2001
The business becomes Vivendi Universal Games
[1]After an intermediate period as Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing, the regional operations were consolidated as Vivendi Universal Games.
- 1998
Havas acquires Cendant Software
[1]The division moved into Havas and adopted the Havas Interactive name.
- 1997
Knowledge Adventure and Berkeley Systems join the portfolio
[1]CUC Software expanded through the addition of Knowledge Adventure and Berkeley Systems.
- 1997
CUC Software becomes Cendant Software
[1]CUC International's merger with Hospitality Franchise Systems created Cendant, leading to the software division's renaming.
- 1996
CUC International announces the Davidson and Sierra acquisitions
[1]CUC International announced its planned acquisition of Davidson & Associates and Sierra On-Line, creating the foundation of its software division.
- 1996
CUC Software is established
[1]Following the acquisitions, CUC organized the new video-game and software assets under CUC Software.
Products and positioning
A diversified, multinational video-game publishing and holding operation built around acquired software labels, established game properties, and educational-entertainment businesses.
Video games
Blizzard Entertainment portfolio
The Davidson & Associates acquisition brought Blizzard Entertainment into the CUC Software group. Blizzard represented the division's most prominent entertainment-game asset and remained part of the wider Vivendi games structure through successive corporate reorganizations, ultimately becoming part of Activision Blizzard.
Video games
Sierra On-Line portfolio
Sierra On-Line entered the group alongside Davidson & Associates in 1996. Its publishing and development catalog formed a major part of the personal-computer entertainment business managed by the successive CUC, Cendant, Havas, and Vivendi organizations.
Educational software
Educational software portfolio
Davidson & Associates and Knowledge Adventure contributed educational and children's software to the portfolio. These products complemented Vivendi Games' entertainment publishing activities and helped make the division broader than a conventional game publisher.
Mobile games · 2006
Mobile games
Vivendi opened a mobile-games division in 2006 as part of its effort to participate in mobile entertainment. Available reference material identifies the division but does not specify a complete product catalog.
Brand decisions
2007
Combine with ActivisionM&ABackground
Vivendi and Activision pursued a combination intended to create a larger global video-game publisher.
Action taken
Activision announced the proposed merger in December 2007, with the resulting holding company named Activision Blizzard.
Aftermath
Shareholders approved the transaction in July 2008, and the merger dissolved Vivendi Games as a separate entity.
2006
Enter mobile gamesStrategyBackground
The games industry was expanding into mobile distribution and mobile entertainment.
Action taken
Vivendi opened a mobile-games division while renaming the broader business Vivendi Games.
Aftermath
The company added mobile publishing to its established personal-computer and console-oriented activities.
2001
Consolidate regional publishing operationsStrategyBackground
Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing had been divided into North American and international units.
Action taken
The two operations were streamlined under the Vivendi Universal Games name.
Aftermath
The consolidation created a more unified games organization directly under Vivendi Universal.
1998
Sell Cendant Software to HavasM&ABackground
After the creation of Cendant, the software division was sold to French media company Havas.
Action taken
Havas announced an acquisition for US$800 million in cash, with a possible additional performance-based payment.
Aftermath
The division became Havas Interactive and later moved into the Vivendi Universal structure.
Cash acquisition consideration. US$800 million, plus up to US$200 million contingent consideration (1998)
1996
Acquire Davidson & Associates and Sierra On-LineM&ABackground
CUC International sought to expand from membership shopping clubs into software and interactive entertainment.
Action taken
It announced a stock-based acquisition valued at approximately US$1.8 billion and completed the transaction in July 1996.
Aftermath
The acquisitions created the foundation for CUC Software and brought Blizzard Entertainment and Sierra On-Line into the same corporate portfolio.
Announced stock-swap value. US$1.8 billion announced transaction value (1996)
Recent events
- 2008
Activision Blizzard merger is completed[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Activision shareholders approved the transaction on July 8, and the merger closed on July 10. Vivendi Games ceased to exist as a separate company.
- 2007
Activision and Vivendi Games announce proposed combination[1]
M&A
Activision announced a proposed transaction with Vivendi Games intended to establish Activision Blizzard.
- 2006
Vivendi Universal launches a mobile-games division[1]
Product launch
A mobile-games division was opened as the group broadened its publishing activities into mobile entertainment.
- 2001
Havas Interactive becomes Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing[1]
Leadership change · Other
The division adopted the Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing name and was subsequently reorganized into North American and international operations.
- 2001
Vivendi Universal Interactive Publishing is consolidated as Vivendi Universal Games[1]
Other
The two regional publishing organizations were streamlined under the Vivendi Universal Games identity.
- 1998
Cendant Software is sold to Havas[1]
M&A · Leadership change
Havas announced the acquisition of Cendant Software, after which the business was renamed Havas Interactive.
- 1996
CUC International announces acquisitions of Davidson & Associates and Sierra On-Line[1]
M&A
CUC International announced a stock-based transaction to acquire Davidson & Associates and Sierra On-Line, establishing the foundation for its later software and game-publishing division.
- 1996
CUC International expands its software group with Knowledge Adventure[1]
M&A
CUC International announced an additional acquisition of Knowledge Adventure, extending the portfolio into educational software.
Sources1 sources
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