Operating segments and geographic region (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended		9 Months Ended
	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 30, 2010	Sep. 30, 2011	Sep. 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	$ 754	$ 745	$ 3,348	$ 3,019
Net effect from deferral of net revenues	127	(112)	1,268	765
Operating segments total
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	627	857	2,080	2,254
Activision
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	253	314	898	983
Blizzard
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	297	481	968	1,086
Distribution
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	77	62	214	185
Total geographic region
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	754	745	3,348	3,019
North America
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	360	406	1,687	1,675
Europe
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	323	281	1,385	1,142
Asia Pacific
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	71	58	276	202
Total platform
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	677	683	3,134	2,834
Online subscriptions
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	336	289	1,090	890
Console
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	277	298	1,711	1,642
Hand-held
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	19	23	82	101
PC and Other
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform [Line Items]
Net revenues	$ 45	$ 73	$ 251	$ 201