Goodwill (Details) (USD $) In Millions, unless otherwise specified	12 Months Ended
	Dec. 31, 2012	Dec. 31, 2011
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period	$ 7,111	$ 7,132
Issuance of contingent consideration		3
Goodwill impairment		(12)
Tax benefit credited to goodwill	(5)	(12)
Foreign exchange	0
Goodwill, balance at end of period	7,106	7,111
Goodwill, before impairment adjustment	7,106	7,123
Accumulated impairment losses	0	(12)
Activision
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period	6,933	6,942
Issuance of contingent consideration		3
Goodwill impairment		0
Tax benefit credited to goodwill	(5)	(12)
Foreign exchange	0
Goodwill, balance at end of period	6,928	6,933
Goodwill, before impairment adjustment	6,928	6,933
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Blizzard
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period	178	178
Issuance of contingent consideration		0
Goodwill impairment		0
Tax benefit credited to goodwill	0	0
Foreign exchange	0
Goodwill, balance at end of period	178	178
Goodwill, before impairment adjustment	178	178
Accumulated impairment losses	0	0
Distribution
Changes in carrying amount of goodwill
Goodwill, balance at beginning of period	0	12
Issuance of contingent consideration		0
Goodwill impairment		(12)
Tax benefit credited to goodwill	0	0
Foreign exchange	0
Goodwill, balance at end of period	0	0
Goodwill, before impairment adjustment	0	12
Accumulated impairment losses	$ 0	$ (12)