Operating Segments and Geographic Area (Details 2) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Sep. 30, 2012	Jun. 30, 2012	Mar. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations	$ 484	$ 227	$ 227	$ 513	$ 25	$ 162	$ 467	$ 674	$ 1,451	$ 1,328	$ 469
Net effect from changes in the deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales									(91)	183	(319)
Stock-based compensation expense									(126)	(103)	(131)
Restructuring									0	(26)	(3)
Amortization of intangible assets									(30)	(72)	(123)
Impairment of goodwill/intangible assets									0	(12)	(326)
Integration and transactions costs									0	0	0
Other									0	0	0
Investment and other income (expense), net									7	3	23
Consolidated income (loss) before income tax expense									1,458	1,331	492
Restructuring expense in general and administrative expense									1	3
Operating segments total
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations									1,698	1,358	1,371
Activision
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations									970	851	511
Blizzard
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations									717	496	850
Distribution
Segment Reporting, Reconciling Item for Operating Profit (Loss) from Segment to Consolidated [Line Items]
Income (loss) from operations									$ 11	$ 11	$ 10