Toys For Bob has made a name for itself over the years thanks to its excellent work on a number of classic mascot IPs including developing Crash Bandicoot 4: It’s About Time and the Spyro Reignited Trilogy. Though Toys For Bob were absorbed into the Call of Duty machine, it …
Read More »The FTC is suing to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The last week has been a rollercoaster for the gaming industry, as Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard has continued to make headlines. A few weeks ago it was reported that the FTC would sue to block the deal, but then a subsequent report claimed that the panel scrutinising the …
Read More »Microsoft is prepared to fight FTC for approval of Activision Blizzard acquisition
Recently, it was reported that the FTC is considering filing a lawsuit to block Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. In the days that followed, Microsoft reportedly offered Sony a ten-year deal to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation and is planning to make formal concessions in order to get …
Read More »Microsoft reportedly set to offer ‘concessions’ to regulators in Activision Blizzard deal
Recently Microsoft made it known that it would be willing to offer Sony a substantial guarantee for future Call of Duty support as part of its on-going effort to push the Activision Blizzard acquisition through. Now, according to sources familiar with the situation, Microsoft is preparing to make several concessions …
Read More »Report claims FTC may sue to block Xbox/Activision-Blizzard merger
Politico previously reported that the EU would enter a phase 2 investigation into the Xbox Activision-Blizzard merger. Now, the site is reporting that the FTC is planning on filing a lawsuit against Microsoft to block the merger. The FTC has been stricter on anti-trust cases recently. The commission previously filed …
Read More »Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 campaign expansion reportedly developed by Sledgehammer
Last month, sources claimed that Infinity Ward is planning a massive expansion for Modern Warfare II sometime after launch. We heard this would include many classic Call of Duty maps for multiplayer and new campaign content. According to an updated report, the new campaign content will be developed by Sledgehammer …
Read More »Overwatch 2 hits 35 million players in first month
Blizzard made the controversial choice last month to depreciate the original Overwatch, completely replacing it with the free-to-play Overwatch 2. While opinions on the game itself remain mixed, Overwatch 2 has had an impressive first month commercially, with more than 35 million players flocking to the game. As part of …
Read More »EU Commission initiates Phase 2 investigation into Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition
Here in the UK, the Competition and Markets Authority has entered a Phase 2 investigation of Microsoft's planned Activision Blizzard acquisition. Soon, the deal will undergo more scrutiny, this time from the EU, which also plans to enter a phase 2 investigation. Similarly to the CMA, one of the EU's …
Read More »Modern Warfare II has largest opening weekend in franchise history
Over the past few days, we have seen a number of sales figures released for Call of Duty Modern Warfare II, with the game breaking concurrent user records on Steam as well as being the fastest-selling Call of Duty on the PlayStation Store. Now, Activision themselves have revealed that Call …
Read More »Modern Warfare II multiplayer launch patch brings improvements based on beta feedback
After a successful beta, Infinity Ward has been working on further improving the now available multiplayer mode for Call of Duty Modern Warfare II. The developer has considered the community's feedback, leading to changes in various game systems, including UI, matchmaking, sound, and gameplay. The patch brings many improvements over …
Read More »Call of Duty could be held off Xbox Game Pass for years
If Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal does go through in 2023, many of us were expecting to see Call of Duty heading straight to Xbox Game Pass. However, it may take a little longer for the flagship franchise to hit Microsoft's gaming subscription service. Microsoft is facing an unexpected level of …
Read More »Take-Two CEO speaks out in support of Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition
We've seen a number of companies comment on Microsoft's pending acquisition of Activision Blizzard in recent months. The loudest voice in the room has been Sony, but we've also seen quotes from companies like Ubisoft, WB, Riot and others. Recently in an interview, Take-Two CEO, Stauss Zelnick, added his take …
Read More »MWII beta was the largest in Call of Duty History
Each year, ahead of the game’s proper release, Activision hosts a beta period for that year’s Call of Duty, giving fans early insight into the maps, guns, mechanics and more coming with the upcoming FPS. The beta period for Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2 has ended, with the publisher …
Read More »Microsoft CEO on Activision Blizzard deal: ‘let us have competition’
In recent weeks, PlayStation head, Jim Ryan, has made several statements in an effort to sway regulators against Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, claiming the deal would have “major negative implications” for the entire games industry. Now, Microsoft's CEO, Satya Nadella, is getting involved with one simple message – “if …
Read More »EA’s CEO responds to Call of Duty console-exclusivity controversy
The past few weeks has seen Microsoft’s desired acquisition of Activision Blizzard come into scrutiny, with Call of Duty being placed at the centre of it. In the wake of this, EA’s CEO Andrew Wilson has commented on the matter, claiming that Battlefield will take this opportunity to try and …
Read More »Xbox will continue to acquire studios
The past few weeks has seen the heat turned up when it comes to Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard and whether the move is in fact anti-competitive. Amidst all this, head of Xbox Phil Spencer has remained resolute, stating that the console manufacturer will continue to acquire more studios. In …
Read More »Sony claims Microsoft owning Call of Duty would have ‘major negative implications’ for gaming industry
In recent weeks, Sony has begun taking the offensive by publicly campaigning against Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We've seen Sony lay out its argument against the deal before in regulatory filings, but now, Jim Ryan has been giving juicy quotes to the press, branding Microsoft's post-merger Call of …
Read More »Sony calls Call of Duty deal “inadequate on many levels”
Microsoft’s intention to purchase Activision Blizzard for $70 Billion came as a surprise to many when it was first announced earlier this year. Since then, the situation surrounding the publisher’s biggest multi-platform franchises have been in flux – especially Call of Duty. While we do know current deals set in …
Read More »Microsoft confirms plans to bring franchises like COD and Diablo to Game Pass
We've all assumed that Activision Blizzard games will come to Xbox Game Pass some time after Microsoft completes its acquisition of the company. Today in response to questions around the deal, Xbox head, Phil Spencer, confirmed exactly that. In a lengthy blog post intended to reassure regulators, gamers and developers, …
Read More »Xbox confirms that like Minecraft, it will keep Call of Duty multiplatform
In response to news that the UK CMA is moving onto phase two of its investigation into Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has published a new blog post further detailing its plans for the company post-merger. In short, Microsoft is now more firmly committing to keeping Activision Blizzard …
Read More »UK CMA concerned over Microsoft’s planned Activision Blizzard acquisition
We learned a while ago that the UK authorities had begun their investigation into Microsoft's planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard and after gathering preliminary information, they have come to the decision that Microsoft owning the publisher could impact competition in the market. Now, the CMA will move into phase two …
Read More »Microsoft claims Sony pays for ‘blocking rights’ to keep certain titles off of Game Pass
Just over a week ago, we learned the official opinions of Sony, Ubisoft, WB, Riot and other companies regarding Microsoft's proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Sony naturally had a lot to say and was particularly concerned with Microsoft's growing hold on the subscription market with Game Pass. Now, Microsoft has had a chance to respond, calling Sony for buying 'blocking rights' to keep certain games off of Xbox.
Read More »Blizzard reportedly cancelled a Warcraft MMO for mobile
A couple of years ago following Diablo Immortal's BlizzCon reveal, we learned that Blizzard was also working on a number of other mobile games, several of which were set in the Warcraft universe. This year, one of these games was officially announced, but Blizzard seems to be scrapping two other …
Read More »Here’s what Sony, Ubisoft, WB, Riot and others think of Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal
We're over six months on from Microsoft announcing plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, kicking off the lengthy process of gaining approvals from anti-trust organisations across the world. Most of the time, these investigations are highly secretive, but we do know that they involve seeking opinions from competing companies across the industry. Now thanks to recent filings in Brazil, documents containing these opinions have been posted online, giving us insight into what the likes of Sony, Ubisoft, WB and others think of the deal.
Read More »Activision publisher page goes live on Steam
Earlier this year Activision announced that it would be making a return to Steam after years of absence forcing PC players to use the publisher’s own bespoke launcher. Ahead of Activison’s full return to the platform, the publisher now has an official Steam page. Going to https://store.steampowered.com/publisher/Activision will now take …
Read More »UK CMA opens investigation into Microsoft’s $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal
Back in January, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard in a deal worth a record-breaking $69 billion. However, the deal is far from done, as Microsoft faces regulatory challenges. This week, another hurdle was placed in the way, as the UK's Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) announced plans to …
Read More »Call of Duty suffers major leak showing COD 2024 and more
Call of Duty is continuing its typical release schedule, with this year’s COD, Modern Warfare II, coming from development studio Infinity Ward. Meanwhile Treyarch are working on their own COD title, which isn’t set to come out until 2024 (due to delays). Despite this, a significant number of assets from COD 2024 somehow found their way into Warzone Mobile, giving us a look at maps, guns and more.
Read More »Spellbreak is shutting down as studio joins Blizzard to work on World of Warcraft
We all know that Activision Blizzard is in the process of being acquired by Microsoft, but that isn't stopping the company from making acquisitions of its own. This week, Blizzard confirmed that it has acquired studio Proletariat, the company behind Spellbreak. Spellbreak launched back in 2018, offering a new take …
Read More »Vicarious Visions were working on Pro Skater 3+4 before Activision canned it
The Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater franchise has persisted for decades as one of the best in the genre. The series was revived in 2020 with full remakes of the first two games to great success. Unfortunately, while the team at Vicarious Visions were said to be working on a remake …
Read More »Call of Duty anti-cheat now completely disarms cheaters in online matches
Since introducing the Ricochet anti-cheat system, the Call of Duty anti-cheat team has been implementing new ways to mess with bad actors in online matches. Previously, cheaters have been unable deal damage to enemy players, have had their ability to see or hear the enemy removed and now, cheaters are …
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