Vivendi are apparently looking for potential buyers for Activision Blizzard, with China's Tencent and U.S. companies Time Warner and Microsoft reportedly in the frame, according to a report in Reuters.
It was reported that "although a formal process has not started, bankers close to Vivendi are sounding out cash-rich trade players."
Microsoft certainly has the financial muscle to buy the publishing giant, and buying exclusive rights to Call of Duty would certainly be an enticing proposition, but with the Xbox 720 on the way, it might be a bridge too far for the platform holder.
Of the Microsoft connection, a source close to Reuters speculated: "They probably don't want to distract themselves too much, but they are the ones who, if they want to stay in games, would think about owning some of these big franchises, not just providing the consoles."