Tag: Activision Blizzard - Page 2
Xbox technically owns the franchise now
Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 may be missing out on a day one Xbox Game Pass launch this year, but it isn't stopping Microsoft from including the title as a highlight in its
News Xbox's Leadership Team Visits Blizzard Post-Acquisition
Microsoft strives to be a "source of trust" for the studio
Following Microsoft's recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Phil Spencer and team Xbox have been busy doing studio tours all around the world. The latest visit was Blizzard's headquarters in Irvine, California and while Xbox's leadership team hasn't formally shared what exactly went on...
News Microsoft 'Doubling Down As A Game Producer' After ActiBlizz Deal, Says CEO
"Now we'll be one of the largest game publishers"
After Microsoft closed its Activision Blizzard deal earlier this month, Xbox Game Studios has grown exponentially. As you can see here, the amount of studios now under Microsoft's wing is kind of mind-blowing, and the company's CEO is relishing the opportunity to start producing more games. Speaking...
News Phil Spencer & Co. Given 'Sweet Welcome' As They Visit Candy Crush Developer King
One of the new ActiBlizz teams welcomes Xbox
Phil Spencer and the Xbox leadership team have wasted no time in the wake of Microsoft's huge Activision Blizzard deal. Shortly after the Xbox owner acquired the mega-publisher, Phil & co. have been to visit King Games - the team behind the mobile hit Candy Crush. As posted to Twitter, King has...
Reaction Seriously, Microsoft Doesn't Care About Using Call Of Duty To Sell Xboxes
"We have no goal of trying to use Call of Duty to get you to buy an Xbox console"
We've seen Microsoft move away from the goal of sheer console sales for years now - the team has almost given up the ghost with PlayStation and has accepted that Sony is likely to sell more systems for the time being. Having said that, the acquisition of Activision...
News This Diablo 4 Custom Console Is So Epic It Doesn't Even Look Like An Xbox
It doesn't work like one either, weirdly
Just as Microsoft finally acquires Diablo 4 developer Blizzard, the team announces another custom Xbox Series X console, and not only does this thing look hellish in its design - it also functions like its been plunged into the depths of hell too. Yep, weirdly, this latest Xbox Series X custom console...
News Phil Spencer Is 'Incredibly Excited' About The Future Of Xbox
He says the latest acquisition is "just the beginning"
In the same appearance on the Official Xbox Podcast, the head of Xbox Phil Spencer mentioned how he's "incredibly excited" about the future of Xbox now that Microsoft has successfully acquired Activision Blizzard as well as the mobile giant King. Reflecting on his own history as the head of...
News Xbox Boss Would Love To 'Revisit' Older Franchises More, Uses Quake 2 As An Example
"I'd love to see more things like that"
Xbox's Phil Spencer appeared today as part of the Official Xbox Podcast, where he was asked about potential plans to go and revisit older franchises now that Microsoft owns Activision Blizzard and its extensive back catalogue. In response, Spencer explained that he's eager to see what the development teams...
News Phil Spencer Explains Why ActiBlizz Titles Aren't Expected On Xbox Game Pass Just Yet
"The regulatory process took so long..."
When the Activision Blizzard acquisition finally went through last week, we were all hoping Team Xbox might have a big drop of Xbox Game Pass titles from the back catalogue to throw our way in October. Sadly that didn't end up proving the case, and now Xbox boss Phil Spencer has explained why. In a
Talking Point Which Activision Blizzard Series Do You Want To Play Most On Xbox Game Pass?
Come tell us what you're excited to play
Okay, so, the big Activision Blizzard deal is officially happening - and we're already starting to get giddy about the future of Xbox Game Pass with them on board. Sure, we know that some of the team's newer titles like Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 and Diablo 4
News 'Karma Is A B*tch'! Original Xbox Creator Talks Activision Takeover
His comments have racked up over 1M views!
This past Friday marked an important milestone in the history of Xbox as Microsoft closed the acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and original Xbox co-creator Seamus Blackley had some words to share following the announcement. Blackley took to Twitter to point out the "karma" involved in Activision CEO...
News Activision Says Xbox Can 'Take Games In The Library And Remake Them' Post-Acquisition
Which Activision Blizzard game do you want remade?
Now that the Activision Blizzard deal has officially gone through, we can all look forward to the future - a future where Xbox has total control over ActiBlizz IP. The Call of Duty owner is sitting on a treasure trove of other gaming franchises, and we could even see some of them return in 'remake'...
Talking Point What Do You Want To See From Xbox & Activision Blizzard?
The return of classic IP? A CoD overhaul? Tell us!
Alright, so the news is finally starting to settle that Microsoft now owns Activision Blizzard King, and we're expecting a little bit of a lull before the company comes out and reveals more of what to expect from this unprecedented takeover. It's been nearly two years since the intent to purchase...
News Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Set To Leave The Company In Early 2024
"I will do that through the end of 2023"
Although Activision Blizzard is officially a part of Xbox now (we still can't believe it either), questions remain about the future of the company under Microsoft and if there'll be any structural changes in the near future. Well, thanks to statements from both Phil Spencer and Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, we...
News Here's A Look At Every Xbox Studio Following The ActiBlizz Acquisition
It's a ridiculous list!
Activision Blizzard King is now officially part of the Xbox family, and that means the list of Microsoft-owned first-party studios has just grown in a massive way. If you thought it was impressive before, it's on a whole other level now! Xbox fan and creative genius Klobrille has put together a fantastic look at the new...
Guide These 50+ Activision Blizzard Games Could Be Heading To Xbox Game Pass
The takeover is complete, so it's almost time!
Update (Fri 13th Oct, 2023): It's been nearly two years since we first published this list, and a lot has happened in the meantime! The acquisition of Activision Blizzard is finally now complete, and therefore we should be getting a large batch of ActiBlizz games on Xbox Game Pass in the relatively near...
News Phil Spencer Comments On What It Means To Merge Activision Blizzard With Xbox First Party
"It is incredible to welcome such legendary teams to Xbox"
Well, the megaton news we've all been waiting for has finally landed. Activision Blizzard is officially a part of team Xbox as Microsoft eventually pushes its huge merger through after almost two years of work. Now that we've waded through all of the legislation and whatnot though, it's...
News Xbox Says The 'Work Has Begun' To Bring Activision Blizzard Titles To Game Pass
"We know you’re excited – and we are too."
We've all been looking forward to a large slate of Activision Blizzard titles coming to Xbox Game Pass for almost two years now, and even though the deal has officially gone through, it sounds like we might need to wait a little bit longer. Following today's announcement, the official Xbox Game Pass...
News It's Finally Over! Activision Blizzard Is Now Officially Part Of Xbox
"Welcoming the legendary teams and franchises"
It's time! Microsoft has announced today that Activision Blizzard King is now officially part of the company, bringing the likes of Call of Duty, Crash Bandicoot, Spyro, Diablo and many more "legendary franchises" under the Xbox banner. This news
News CMA Criticises 'Tactics Employed By Microsoft' Despite Agreeing To ActiBlizz Deal
Related to the initial investigation
Although the UK Competition and Markets Authority has today agreed to Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the regulator has had some harsh words to share about Microsoft's "tactics" along the way. In an official press release, CMA chief executive Sarah Cardell criticised Microsoft's handling of the...
News UK CMA Approves Microsoft's Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard
It's official!
Microsoft's long dispute with the UK Competition and Markets Authority over the acquisition of Activision Blizzard is finally over! The UK regulator officially approved the deal earlier today, paving the way for the takeover to go through. The CMA confirmed this was on condition of Microsoft selling cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft...
News Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal Will 'Avoid Another EU Probe', Suggests Report
Ready to go in Europe
We're still awaiting the announcement that Microsoft's takeover of Activision Blizzard has been completed, but until then, we've got a report from Bloomberg suggesting the EU won't be creating any roadblocks over the next few days. You may recall that
News Activision Blizzard Reveals Plans For Bringing Games To Xbox Game Pass
"We’ve been getting some questions"
It's looking very likely that this will be the week that Microsoft announces the closure of the Activision Blizzard takeover, and ahead of that point, ActiBlizz has taken to Twitter to reveal what Xbox fans can expect on Game Pass. In a nutshell, it seems we won't be getting Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3 or...
News After Almost Two Years, Next Week Could Be The Finale For Xbox's ActiBlizz Takeover
As long as everything goes smoothly
For the best part of two years, we've been hearing how the Pure Xbox community is fed up of the Activision Blizzard acquisition and just wants it to either happen or not happen - and we may be getting our wish in just a few days' time. According to a source over at The Verge, Microsoft appears to be targeting...
News FTC Continues To Challenge Xbox's Takeover Of Activision Blizzard
"How the FTC uses limited taxpayer resources is their decision"
Anyone for a bit of FTC news? Just what you wanted on a Thursday afternoon, eh? Yes, just a few months after the FTC lost its request for a preliminary injunction against Microsoft's takeover of Activision Blizzard, the regulator has now resumed its challenge - with plans to move...
News Ubisoft CEO Explains Decision To Buy ActiBlizz Cloud Rights From Xbox
"That’s what pushed us to go forward..."
Back in August, it was revealed that Microsoft had struck a deal for Ubisoft to buy the cloud gaming rights to Activision Blizzard titles, and now Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has revealed what "pushed us to go forward with the deal". Speaking to the Financial Times this week, Guillemot enthused about the...
News CMA Approval A 'Significant Milestone' Towards Xbox Merging With Activision Blizzard
"This approval is critical to completing our merger"
Today has brought welcome news in regards to Xbox's ActiBlizz deal, with the UK CMA now approving the acquisition - pending input from various third party companies that took part in the investigation. While the purchase hasn't been completed just yet, both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard feel...
News UK CMA Grants 'Preliminary Approval' Of Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Purchase
"Microsoft has now substantially restructured the deal"
We're almost there, folks! The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has today announced that it has granted preliminary approval for Microsoft to purchase Activision Blizzard. The CMA's decision still needs to be consulted with any third parties involved in the process, but for all intents...
News Crash Team Rumble Season 2 Crash-Lands On Xbox With All New Co-Op Mode
Party mode is here!
Crash Team Rumble Season 2 is now live following the game's launch earlier this summer, and a new four-player party mode is the headlining feature for the game's second season. 'Party Mode' lets players "take a breather from competitive matches" with its five distinct mini-game rounds that have more of a co-operative flair...
Reaction Spyro's New Sales Milestone Gives Us Hope For An Xbox Revival
Come on Phil, make it so!
Activision's Spyro Reignited Trilogy has officially hit 10 million copies sold - a big old achievement for the little old dragon that made its remastered return back in 2018. We're not satisfied with just the remastered trilogy though - we want more Spyro and we hope Xbox has plans for the series' future. Okay, we sound...
News Xbox Boss Warns Of Potential Delays With ActiBlizz Titles On Game Pass
"I want to make sure people know..."
Xbox boss Phil Spencer has been talking about Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard this week, admitting that even if the deal goes through in the near future, it may take time to bring ActiBlizz games to Xbox Game Pass. Spencer was questioned by IGN about Call of Duty
News Microsoft Announces Plan To Sell Activision Cloud Gaming Rights To Ubisoft
A major shakeup
Microsoft has announced today that in a bid to convince the UK Competition and Markets Authority to approve the attempted takeover of Activision Blizzard, a major new cloud streaming deal has been struck with Ubisoft. Basically, Microsoft is transferring the cloud streaming rights for all current and future Activision Blizzard...
News Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Deal Approved In Another Country
New Zealand gives it the thumbs up
While we wait for Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard to get approved in the UK, today it's been announced the deal has been given the green light in New Zealand. This was officially passed by the Commerce Commission of New Zealand - meaning Team Xbox has now been granted clearance to acquire "100% of...
News Microsoft Submits Changes To UK CMA Over Its 'Anticipated Acquisition' Of Activision Blizzard
The final level
Microsoft has submitted what is expected to be its final report to the CMA concerning its Xbox Activision Blizzard deal. Microsoft's submission was made on July 25th and goes over the CMA's concerns in detail, as stated by the authority in a notice posted today. The UK authority also mentions that such a move is "not a usual part of...
News Microsoft CEO: Xbox Remains 'Confident' About Activision Blizzard Acquisition
The deal is almost across the line
Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is nearing the finish line according to previous statements made by company heads. If you are in need of some reassurance though, CEO Satya Nadella has now provided an incredibly brief update during the latest earnings report. According to the Microsoft boss, the tech...
News Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal Is 'Good News' For Multiple Reasons, Explains Ubisoft CEO
"It really shows the power of IPs"
Ubisoft CEO Yves Guillemot has revealed his latest thoughts on Xbox's takeover of Activision Blizzard, commenting in an investor briefing earlier this week that he feels the merger is "good news" for a couple of reasons in particular. Specifically, Guillemot believes that the deal shows how valuable and...
News Blizzard Games Announced For Steam Ahead Of Xbox Acquisition
Overwatch 2 will be the first title added to Valve's service
Xbox head Phil Spencer has already mentioned how Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard would make select games available to more players around the globe, and now in an industry update, Blizzard has announced it will be bringing its own games to Valve's Steam service for the first...
News Xbox Boss: We Could Close ActiBlizz Deal In US, But We're Waiting On UK
"We move even closer to the finish line"
Following today's announcement that Microsoft's takeover of Activision Blizzard has been given a new deadline of October 18th, an email sent by Xbox's Phil Spencer to employees has been revealed by The Verge. In the email, Spencer acknowled
News Xbox Extends Activision Blizzard Takeover Deadline To October
"We're optimistic about getting this done"
It's been announced today by Xbox boss Phil Spencer that Microsoft's attempted takeover of Activision Blizzard now has a deadline of October 18th, as the company continues to try and win over the approval of the UK CMA. Spencer revealed the new deadline on Twitter, reiterating Microsoft's desire to get the...
News Microsoft Activision Blizzard Acquisition Given Greenlight In US After FTC Loses (Again)
"This brings us another step closer to the finish line"
Following FTC's appeal of the previous court ruling permitting Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the US regulator has now lost again. The Federal Trade Commission was also seeking injunctive relief to prevent Microsoft from closing the deal but has been denied by the US Ninth...
News UK CMA Delays Decision On Xbox ActiBlizz Deal Until August
The previous deadline was July 18th
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority has announced today that it needs more time to decide on Xbox's latest proposal for the takeover of Activision Blizzard, pushing its deadline back from July 18th to August 29th, 2023. In an official filing on the UK Government website, it's mentioned that there's...
News FTC Appeals Court's Ruling Permitting Microsoft's Acquisition Of Activision Blizzard
The regulator refuses to back down
Update [Thu 13th Jul, 2023 03:00 BST]: Microsoft's vice chair and president Brad Smith has now issued a statement, mentioning how the tech giant is "disappointed" by the FTC's appeal. Here's what he had to say: Brad Smith: “The District Court’s ruling makes crystal clear that this acquisition is good for...
News Xbox's ActiBlizz Deal Seems Closer, But Some Game Pass Arrivals Could Be Delayed
A recent CMA report mentions COD on Game Pass
Following yesterday's blockbuster news that the FTC's attempted injunction against Microsoft has been denied, the Activision Blizzard deal going through feels closer than ever. Even so, the acquisition is still not confirmed by any means, and a remaining authority that still needs winning over has also...
News Microsoft And UK CMA Agree To Pause Legal Battle Over Activision Blizzard Deal
Update: CMA warns of a potential "new merger investigation"
Update: The CMA has warned that its latest discussions with Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are at an "early stage", and a restructured deal could ultimately lead to a "new merger investigation". Here's a statement courtesy of The Verge: "Whilst merging parties don’t have the...
News Xbox's Phil Spencer 'Grateful' For Speedy Court Decision On FTC Activision Blizzard Case
"I’m proud of our efforts to expand player access and choice"
The FTC has just lost its case to block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard purchase, and company executives are already out there on the internet, reacting to the news and providing statements on the matter. One of those execs is Xbox boss Phil Spencer, who has released a multi-post...
News Xbox Wins FTC Court Case As Judge Denies Preliminary Injunction
"The Court DENIES the motion for preliminary injunction"
It's official! Microsoft, Xbox and Activision Blizzard have won their court case against the U.S. Federal Trade Commission, as the judge has denied the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction over Microsoft's attempted takeover of Activision Blizzard. Here's a sample from the 53-page...
News Blizzard Reiterates That Diablo 4 Isn't Coming To Xbox Game Pass For Now
Things may change if the ActiBlizz purchase goes through
Back in March, Blizzard confirmed ahead of launch that Diablo 4 wasn't coming to Xbox Game Pass, but the ongoing ActiBlizz deal has continued to stir speculation about its eventual arrival. That speculation came to another infliction point this week when a Brazilian digital retailer listed...
News Xbox Could Expect FTC Injunction Verdict As Soon As Next Week
Hopefully it won't drag out
It's been a crazy week, with all kinds of stories coming out of the highly publicised FTC hearing, but it's finally over! If you weren't aware, the FTC and Microsoft have been in court regarding the FTC's request for a preliminary injunction, requesting more time to make a decision on whether to approve Microsoft's...
News Microsoft's CEO Isn't A Fan Of Console Exclusives, Blames Sony
Sony has "defined market competition using exclusives"
Exclusives are arguably one of the main selling points of console gaming, but if Microsoft's boss had any say, he would apparently abolish them. During his testimony in the Microsoft v FTC hearing today, Microsoft's CEO Satya Nadella said he would do away with exclusives on Xbox consoles if it...
News Here's The Email That Set Sony's 'Alarm Bells Ringing' Over Xbox ActiBlizz Deal
"I continue to stand behind the agreement I sent you..."
Update: Well, we don't need to speculate any longer! The Verge's Tom Warren has shared a couple of the emails in question, revealing parts of the exchange between Phil Spencer and Jim Ryan from back in mid-2022. The email from Ryan (dated May 26th, 2022) is extensive, suggesting in his...