Activision Blizzard will soon separate from its parent company, French media conglomerate Vivendi, with CEO Bobby Kotick leading an investor buyout.

The World of Warcraft and Call of Duty publisher will buy back 439 million shares from Vivendi for US$5.83 billion, reports GamesIndustry.

On top of that, an investment group led by Kotick and co-chairman Brian Kelly will purchase 172 million shares worth US$2.34 billion.

That will make Activision Blizzard an independent company led by Kotick and Kelly, with an investment group that includes Chinese operator Tencent, Davis Advisors, and Leonard Green & Partners.

Vivendi previously owned 61% of Activision Blizzard shares.

"These transactions together represent a tremendous opportunity for Activision Blizzard and all its shareholders, including Vivendi," said Kotick.

"We should emerge even stronger – an independent company with a best-in-class franchise portfolio and the focus and flexibility to drive long-term shareholder value and expand our leadership position as one of the world's most important entertainment companies.

“The transactions announced today will allow us to take advantage of attractive financing markets while still retaining more than US$3 billion cash on hand to preserve financial stability."

"Our successful combination with Blizzard Entertainment five years ago brought together some of the best creative and business talent in the industry and some of the most beloved entertainment franchises in the world, including Call of Duty and World of Warcraft.

“Since that time, we have generated over US$5.4 billion in operating cash flow and returned more than US$4 billion of that to shareholders via buybacks and dividends. We are grateful for Vivendi's partnership through this period, and we look forward to their continued support."