Restructuring (Details) (USD $) In Millions	9 Months Ended
Sep. 30, 2011
Restructuring Reserve Roll Forward
Balance at beginning of period	$ 0
Costs charged to expense	24
Costs paid or otherwise settled	(15)
Foreign exchange and other	0
Balance at end of period	9
Employee severance costs
Restructuring Reserve Roll Forward
Balance at beginning of period	0
Costs charged to expense	19
Costs paid or otherwise settled	(14)
Foreign exchange and other	0
Balance at end of period	5
Facilities costs
Restructuring Reserve Roll Forward
Balance at beginning of period	0
Costs charged to expense	4
Costs paid or otherwise settled	0
Foreign exchange and other	0
Balance at end of period	4
Contract Termination Member
Restructuring Reserve Roll Forward
Balance at beginning of period	0
Costs charged to expense	1
Costs paid or otherwise settled	(1)
Foreign exchange and other	0
Balance at end of period	$ 0

This element represents the amount of foreign currency translation adjustment and other adjustments increasing or decreasing the accrual for a specified type of restructuring cost.

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Namespace Prefix:	atvi
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Carrying amount (including both current and noncurrent portions of the accrual) as of the balance sheet date pertaining to a specified type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan, excluding costs or losses pertaining to an entity newly acquired in a business combination and to asset retirement obligations.

+ References

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserve
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	instant

- Definition

Reserve increase representing the amount charged against earnings in the period for a specified incurred and estimated type of cost associated with exit from or disposal of business activities or restructuring pursuant to a duly authorized plan.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 146

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReservePeriodExpense
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	credit
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

A roll forward is a reconciliation of a concept from the beginning of a period to the end of a period.

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveRollForward
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:stringItemType
Balance Type:	na
Period Type:	duration

- Definition

Amount of cash paid in the period to fully or partially settle a specified, previously accrued type of restructuring cost.

+ References

Reference 1: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Emerging Issues Task Force (EITF)

-Number 95-3

Reference 2: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher SEC

-Name Staff Accounting Bulletin (SAB)

-Number Topic 5

-Section P

-Subsection 3, 4

Reference 3: http://www.xbrl.org/2003/role/presentationRef

-Publisher FASB

-Name Statement of Financial Accounting Standard (FAS)

-Number 146

+ Details

Name:	us-gaap_RestructuringReserveSettledWithCash
Namespace Prefix:	us-gaap
Data Type:	xbrli:monetaryItemType
Balance Type:	debit
Period Type:	duration