Operating segments and geographic region (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		6 Months Ended
	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2010
Operating Segments And Geographic Area Disclosure [Abstract]
Number of operating segments	3		3
No single customer accounted for more than, percentage of consolidated net revenue (in hundredths)	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%	10.00%
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 1,146	$ 967	$ 2,595	$ 2,275
Net effect from deferral of net revenues	447	284	1,141	878
Operating segments total
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	699	683	1,454	1,397
Activision
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	323	333	646	670
Blizzard
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	313	299	671	605
Distribution
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	63	51	137	122
Total geographic region
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	1,146	967	2,595	2,275
North America
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	580	567	1,328	1,270
Europe
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	467	337	1,061	861
Asia Pacific
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	99	63	206	144
Total platform
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	1,083	916	2,458	2,153
Online subscriptions
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	359	291	754	602
Console
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	611	507	1,436	1,346
Hand-held
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	33	39	63	78
PC and Other
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 80	$ 79	$ 205	$ 127