Operating Segments and Geographic Area (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	3 Months Ended								12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2011	Sep. 30, 2011	Jun. 30, 2011	Mar. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Sep. 30, 2010	Jun. 30, 2010	Mar. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2011	Dec. 31, 2010	Dec. 31, 2009
Operating Segments
Number of operating segments	3								3
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues	$ 1,407	$ 754	$ 1,146	$ 1,449	$ 1,427	$ 745	$ 967	$ 1,308	$ 4,755	$ 4,447	$ 4,279
Net effect from deferral of net revenues and related cost of sales									266	(356)	(497)
Other											1
Total platform
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									4,337	4,069	3,855
Online subscriptions
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									1,357	1,230	1,248
Console
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									2,439	2,330	2,199
Handheld
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									167	184	244
PC and other
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									374	325	164
Total geographic region
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									4,755	4,447	4,278
Total geographic area long-lived assets									163	169	138
North America
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									2,405	2,409	2,217
Total geographic area long-lived assets									105	113	100
Europe
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									1,990	1,743	1,798
Total geographic area long-lived assets									46	46	32
Asia Pacific
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									360	295	263
Total geographic area long-lived assets									12	10	6
Operating segments total
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									4,489	4,803	4,775
Activision
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									2,828	2,769	3,156
Blizzard
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									1,243	1,656	1,196
Distribution
Revenue by Segment by Geographical Region by Platform
Consolidated net revenues									$ 418	$ 378	$ 423