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The Latest Breaking News from ABK

Microsoft, Xbox secure victory in FTC appeal, cementing $69b Activision Blizzard deal

A year and a half after Microsoft's colossal $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard for Xbox closed, a U.S. court has struck down an appeal from the FTC to challenge the deal.

Windows Central

Xbox fans are pining for Microsoft to re-open backward compatibility, considering it previously said it would add "as many games as possible" from Activision's catalog

Microsoft acquired Activision-Blizzard in full in 2023, and as we enter the second year of that acquisition, some fans have grown frustrated.

Windows Central

Phase 2 of World of Warcraft's 'Season of Discovery' launches on February 8th and I can't wait

Season of Discovery is WoW classic on mushrooms with new runes, class roles, and new raids and gear.

Windows Central

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Embracer Group is showcasing the dangers of irresponsible consolidation

Embracer Group has repeatedly closed studios and laid off employees since it fell on hard times in May of 2023.

Windows Central

As Bobby Kotick leaves Microsoft and Activision for good, ex-employees recall how Kotick once threatened to 'have an employee killed'

Today marks Bobby Kotick's last day at the helm of Activision Blizzard King, a day this former employee chose to recall a disturbing tale of Kotick's behavior while CEO of the company.

Windows Central

New Microsoft Activision Blizzard leadership changes see CEO Kotick and others leave soon, Xbox fully take over

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is stepping down as Microsoft makes several significant leadership changes.

Windows Central

To appease the CMA, Microsoft restructures the Activision Blizzard King deal

Microsoft Vice President Brad Smith has penned a blog regarding the Activision Blizzard King deal that details Microsoft's plans to sell cloud gaming rights for ABK titles to Ubisoft in perpetuity.

Windows Central

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The title and logo for Call of Duty 2023 has leaked

A twitter account has leaked some images of crossover branding between Call of Duty and Monster energy drinks, revealing that the title of this year's game is in fact Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3.

Windows Central

FTC loses again, Microsoft is now clear to close the Activision-Xbox deal in the US

The FTC has lost an appeal to reverse a decision by Judge Corley to deny a preliminary injunction blocking the Microsoft-ABK merger.

Windows Central

Explosive Exchange: FTC Chair faces off against hostile US Congress over Microsoft-Activision merger

The tax-payer funded U.S. FTC hasn't had much luck recently. FTC Chair Lina Khan was accused of "intentionally" taking cases it knew it would lose in a fraught hearing at the U.S. House of Representatives. Watch the clips here.

Windows Central

Xbox deal could be closing soon, Activision Blizzard to leave Stock Exchange

The Call of Duty and Candy Crush publisher is expected to leave the NASDAQ-100 stock index on July 17.

Windows Central

Despite reports, the UK regulator is NOT backing down over Xbox's Activision deal

A CNBC report claimed that Microsoft and the UK CMA had already agreed to a small "divestiture" to get the deal approved. Turns out that was likely false. Here's what's happening next.

Windows Central

U.S. federal Judge Corley finally rules on Microsoft's Xbox-ABK deal: Microsoft WINS

The past couple of weeks have seen the FTC and Xbox come to blows in federal court, over the FTC's desire to delay Microsoft's merger with Activision Blizzard. The decision is finally here.

Windows Central

Another regulator unconditionally approves Microsoft's Activision merger with Xbox

The FTC in the US and the CMA in the UK may still have their gripes about the Activision acquisition by Xbox, but South Africa's Competition Tribunal has approved the deal unconditionally.

Windows Central

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Windows Central

It seems Microsoft sacrificed Xbox Series X sales to build Xbox Cloud Gaming servers

Microsoft is heavily behind PlayStation 5 in market share, and Xbox Cloud Gaming is to blame, according to these FTC documents.

Windows Central

The FTC argues that Xbox-exclusive content would be bad, ignoring that PlayStation has had it for years

The FTC says it's worried Microsoft will make Xbox-exclusive skins if it acquires ABK. How ironic.

Windows Central

Call of Duty removes Operator bundles following streamers' comments

Activision has removed the Nickmercs Operator Bundle and scrubbed all mention from its content after the streamer tweeted some controversial remarks. Fellow streamer Timthetatman has requested his Operator bundle also be removed as a show of solidarity.

Windows Central

A CMA director, who blocked Microsoft's Xbox-Activision merger, previously worked for a Sony law firm (Update)

The UK CMA recently blocked the Microsoft merger for Activision Blizzard, which would have made Xbox more competitive in a PlayStation-dominated market. The same CMA has a senior director who previously worked for a law firm representing Sony, one of only two complainants of the deal thus far.

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Windows Central

The CMA's handling of the Xbox-ABK deal is creating a political headache for the UK government

The strange logic of the UK's regulatory body known as the CMA is creating a political headache for the UK government, whose pledges on deregulation now look comical.

PC Gamer

Blizzard developers say mandatory return-to-office policy has 'cost us some amazing people'

Loss of talent is forcing producers to create "crisis maps" in development planning.

Input

Data shows the gaming industry still has a pressing diversity problem

From top to bottom, the gaming industry is a boys' club.

People

Jacqueline Scott Corley

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Florian Mueller

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