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Activision Blizzard

european-commission-postpones-decision-on-approving-activision-blizzard-acquisition-until-may-22 VG247

European Commission postpones decision on approving Activision Blizzard acquisition until May 22

March 18, 2023VG247

The decision was original scheduled for April 25. The European Commission will decide on whether to approve or deny Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard on May 22. Originally scheduled for April, the decision was delayed so that the commission is able to review more feedback from Microsoft’s rivals and customers before deciding one way or the other, per Reuters. Season 02 Reloaded – Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 & Warzone 2.0 This will also give Microsoft time to offer its games and Activision Blizzard titles to other services. It most recently made a deal with streaming companies Boosteroid and…

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diablo-4-beta-servers-are-going-through-hell-as-countless-players-rush-in VG247

Diablo 4 beta servers are going through hell as countless players rush in

March 17, 2023VG247

Massive queues and DCs are common, and tragic. Diablo 4 servers are on fire, under siege, and getting pushed to their limits as countless players swarm to the game during the pre-order weekend beta. Those who attempt to play are thrown into lengthy queues, while those who manage to get into the game are being disconnected and potentially thrown back into the line if they run into a bug with the play button. Diablo 4 servers…welcome to hell. You can watch the early access trailer for tDiablo 4 here! A full list of expeted issues have been posted online on…

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blizzard-says-it-has-“no-plans”-to-release-diablo-4-on-game-pass VG247

Blizzard says it has “no plans” to release Diablo 4 on Game Pass

March 14, 2023VG247

Well, that could change if the Microsoft acquisition goes through. It looks as though we shouldn’t expect Diablo 4 to land on Game Pass. At least anytime soon. Check out the Diablo 4 In-Game Intro Cinematic That’s according to Blizzard’s Rod Fergusson, who oversees development on the Diablo series. Fergusson said on Twitter the studio has been receiving questions regarding Diablo 4 on Game Pass, and he wants folks to know the studio has “no plans for that.” That may be the plan at present, but that could all change if the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard goes through. The…

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microsoft-is-“confident”-that-call-of-duty-can-be-optimised-for-the-switch VG247

Microsoft is “confident” that Call of Duty can be optimised for the Switch

March 12, 2023VG247

The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority previously wrote there was no guarantee it would be possible even with Nintendo and Microsoft’s recent deal. In part of its bid to acquire Activision Blizzard, Microsoft has told the UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) that it’s “confident” Call of Duty can run on Switch. Microsoft is obviously putting the work in to make sure its deal to acquire Activision Blizzard will go through. Part of convincing all the relevant parties that it doesn’t want to harm competition has been by signing deals like it has with Nintendo, where the two companies agreed…

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new-report-says-the-microsoft-activision-merger-is-a-go-in-europe VG247

New report says the Microsoft Activision merger is a go in Europe

March 2, 2023VG247

The EU Commission is apparently sated, and will allow the acquisition. A new report states that the European Commission will allow Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard without the former being made to sell assets to win approval. This is according to sources familiar with the matter speaking to Reuters. If the sources are correct, this would mean Microsoft would not have to sell Call of Duty or other IPs off to appease the Commission. Xbox Games With Gold – March 2023 When reached for comment, a Microsoft spokesperson told the outlet the company was “committed to offering effective and easily…

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call-of-duty-will-be-coming-to-nintendo-switch,-10-year-contract-confirmed VG247

Call of Duty will be coming to Nintendo Switch, 10-year contract confirmed

February 21, 2023VG247

“With full features and content parity.” Microsoft and Nintendo have signed a 10-year contract that will ensure Call of Duty is available for Nintendo players, as countries continue to push back against the Microsfot x Activision Blizzard merger. Microsoft first announced its plans for a 10-year deal with Nintendo back in September of last year. These plans detailed that Microsoft was committed to bringing the Call of Duty series to the Nintendo Switch, provided that the merger with Activision Blizzard was approved. Xbox Series S isn’t holding next-gen back, reality is. In more recent developments, president and vice chair of…

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Microsoft x Activision Blizzard King deal on knife’s edge as UK warns it “could harm UK gamers”

February 8, 2023VG247

The merger appears to be on a knife’s edge. The Competition & Markets Authority (CMA) has warned that the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard could be “harmful to UK gamers”. If true, this would put it in the same company as Fifa Ultimate team, Carabao energy drinks, and Rustlers burgers. As a result, the merger between the two games industry giants is in serious jeopardy. A final verdict from the CMA is due in April, but if the lofty remedies they suggest aren’t met, the whole deal could fall to pieces. This news was announced via an official press release…

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overwatch-2-is-getting-a-dating-sim-and-a-one-punch-man-crossover-in-season-3 Rock,Paper,Shotgun

Overwatch 2 is getting a dating sim and a One Punch Man crossover in Season 3

February 7, 2023RockPaperShotgun

Overwatch 2’s third season is beginning later today and it looks to be the most substantial season yet. Blizzard have released a brand new trailer alongside a Season 3 roadmap, detailing everything we can expect for the next few months including a One Punch Man crossover, a long overdue dating sim, and a Battle Pass themed around Asian mythology. Read more

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overwatch-2’s-lunar-new-year-event-adds-new-skins,-arcade-brawls,-and-twitch-drops VG247

Overwatch 2’s Lunar New Year event adds new skins, Arcade Brawls, and Twitch Drops

January 18, 2023VG247

The event will run until February 6. Blizzard’s latest event for Overwatch 2 has arrived, just in time to celebrate the Lunar New Year. The event has been detailed in a blog post from Blizzard, and has introduced new skins, made festive changes to maps, and brought back Arcade Brawls. In addition, there are going to be some rewards dished out to those playing the game, and via Twitch Drops. You’ll be able to jump into the fun from now, up until February 6. You’ve still another day of the Battle for Olympus event too! Players who head on over…

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ftc-hearings-could-delay-microsoft’s-buyout-of-activision-blizzard Rock,Paper,Shotgun

FTC hearings could delay Microsoft’s buyout of Activision Blizzard

January 12, 2023RockPaperShotgun

Microsoft were hoping to complete their takeover of Activision Blizzard by the end of their financial year in June. That’s looking less likely now that the US Federal Trade Commission have published a schedule that sets dates for final hearings to decide on the merger, and they’re going to begin on August 2nd. As this is just the kick off for hearings about the case, it’s likely that any FTC decision on whether the $68.7 billion (£56 billion) deal can go ahead will take some time to emerge. Read more

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overwatch-2’s-battle-for-olympus-event-turns-seven-heroes-into-greek-gods-today Rock,Paper,Shotgun

Overwatch 2’s Battle for Olympus event turns seven heroes into Greek gods today

January 5, 2023RockPaperShotgun

Overwatch 2‘s second season has been all about Greek mythology, with several characters receiving skins based on iconic Greek gods. But now that the festive winter event has wrapped up, Overwatch 2 is debuting its next limited-time event Battle for Olympus later today, and it’s reimagining seven characters’ abilities. The free-for-all deathmatch mode begins today and will be around until January 19th. Read more

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uk-regulator-details-public-responses-to-microsoft’s-activision-deal,-with-most-gamers-being-in-support VG247

UK regulator details public responses to Microsoft’s Activision deal, with most gamers being in support

December 22, 2022VG247

There were also plenty of excluded responses, due to “abusive content.” No surprise there. First spotted by Game Developer, the UK’s competition regulator — THE Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) — has published a summary of public responses it has received in reaction to Microsoft’s planned acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Modern Warfare 2’s campaign takes inspiration from Naughty Dog. Since the approximately $69 billion acquisition was first announced during the very beginning of 2022, there has been a repeated back and forth, as regulators globally investigate the merger, and what impact it may have on competition in the markets. Just…

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modern-warfare-2-suplexes-christmas-with-festive-multiplayer-makeover Rock,Paper,Shotgun

Modern Warfare 2 suplexes Christmas with festive multiplayer makeover

December 20, 2022RockPaperShotgun

Shipmas arrives in Call Of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 tomorrow, with the game’s Christmas update for multiplayer. The reimagined version of the classic Shipment map – introduced with last week’s Season 01 Reloaded midseason update – will be festooned with decorations, along with the bodies of your enemies. COD now has its own Santa, too, and I wouldn’t want to tangle with him. You can see what I mean, and catch a glimpse of the holiday version of Shipment, by watching the trailer below. Read more

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blizzard-have-got-their-overwatch-2-hotfixing-tool-up-and-running Rock,Paper,Shotgun

Blizzard have got their Overwatch 2 hotfixing tool up and running

December 13, 2022RockPaperShotgun

Overwatch 2 struggled to quickly apply fixes for issues with its heroes during Season 1, but Blizzard say they’ve managed to sort all that out for the recently minted hero shooter. A hotfixing tool that was used for the first time today means there shouldn’t be any need for more weeks-long absences such as Bastion and Mei’s in Season 1. According to a Twitter thread by Overwatch 2’s commercial lead Jon Spector, the hotfix tool also lets Blizzard apply hero rebalances much more quickly. It doesn’t all sound like plain sailing, though. Read more

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