Latest

Trade

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…

Read More
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…

Read More
activision-blizzard-stockholders-approve-proposed-microsoft-buyout VG247

Activision Blizzard stockholders approve proposed Microsoft buyout

April 28, 2022VG247

More than 98% of the shares voted at the Special Meeting were voted in favor of the proposed transaction. Activision Blizzard has announced that its stockholders approved Microsoft’s proposal to acquire the company. The vote was put to shareholders during a special meeting of Stockholders held earlier today, and over 98% voted in favor of the proposed transaction. On January 18, 2022, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard for $95 per share in an all-cash transaction. Subject to customary closing conditions and the completion of regulatory review, the proposed transaction is expected to close in Microsoft’s fiscal year ending…

Read More
cd-projekt-has-acquired-the-studio-behind-the-flame-in-the-flood VG247

CD Projekt has acquired the studio behind The Flame in the Flood

October 22, 2021VG247

The studio will be working on its own game based on one of CD Projekt’s IPs. CD Projekt has announced the acquisition of US-based developer The Molasses Flood – the studio responsible for The Flame in the Flood and Drake Hollow. Founded in Boston in 2014 by Bioshock, Halo, Guitar Hero, and Rock Band series veterans, The Molasses Flood will be working closely with CD Projekt Red, but will retain its identity and will not be merged with existing teams. “We’re always on the lookout for teams who make games with heart,” said Adam Kicinski, president and joint CEO of…

Read More
torchlight-3-studio-echtra-games-acquired-by-zynga VG247

Torchlight 3 studio Echtra Games acquired by Zynga

March 3, 2021VG247

By Stephany Nunneley, Wednesday, 3 March 2021 18:27 GMT The studio will work with Zynga’s NaturalMotion on a currently unannounced RPG for cross-platform play.Echtra Games is the developer of Torchlight 3 and is made up of former Runic Games developers which created the first two Torchlight games. The studio is led by founder Max Schaefer, who previously worked on Diablo, Diablo 2, and all Torchlight titles.According to Zynga, the studio’s pedigree is what drew the company to make the acquisition, via GI.biz.“Max and his team at Echtra Games are responsible for some of the most legendary game properties ever created,…

Read More
gamestop-stock-hit-record-high-after-reddit-backed-short-squeeze VG247

GameStop stock hit record high after Reddit-backed short squeeze

January 24, 2021VG247

GameStop stock surged to its highest recorded share price over the weekend, hitting $76.76 per share on Friday, up nearly 80% in a single day.GameStop’s stock had been steadily rising for the past week, coming up from nearly $20 per share on January 12 and hitting the peak value on Friday thanks to an ongoing campaign from users on the subreddit WallStreetBets and some campaigns by YouTube and TikTok investment accounts (thanks, GamesIndustry.biz).As per Bloomberg (paywall), Friday’s flurry of Reddit-fuelled day-trading made GameStop (or GME) the most actively-traded US stock on the day and even causing trading to be halted multiple times…

Read More
tencent-acquires-majority-stake-in-don’t-starve-studio-klei-entertainment VG247

Tencent acquires majority stake in Don’t Starve studio Klei Entertainment

January 22, 2021VG247

China-based company Tencent has acquired a majority stake in Don’t Starve developer Klei Entertainment.According to a Klei Entertainment forum post, the Candian studio’s founder Jamie Cheng said the partnership will help the studio “navigate a changing industry,” and allow it to “focus on what we want to do best” (thanks, Gematsu).As part of this agreement, Klei will retain full autonomy of creative and operations across all aspects of the studio, including projects, talent, and more. There are no plans for Cheng to step down, nor will there be changes to staff, projects, or other operations.“Klei has been around for 15…

Read More
npd:-switch-was-the-best-selling-console-in-december-and-2020 VG247

NPD: Switch was the best-selling console in December and 2020

January 15, 2021VG247

Nintendo Switch was the best-selling console in the US for December and 2020, and the newly released PS5 console followed in sales. The NPD December 2020 report has been released, and it finds total industry spending up 25% year-over-year, and up 27% for the entire year. In December, the market pulled in $7.7 billion, and $56.9 billion for the year. Hardware dollar sales reached $1.35 billion during December, up 38% year-over-year (yoy), making it the highest total December month since 2013 when $1.37 billion was pulled in.Annual hardware dollar sales totaled $5.3 billion, 35% higher yoy, and the most since…

Read More
codemasters-in-talks-to-sell-to-rockstar-parent-company-take-two VG247

Codemasters in talks to sell to Rockstar parent company Take-Two

November 6, 2020VG247

By Stephany Nunneley, Friday, 6 November 2020 17:22 GMT The Board of Codemasters has confirmed it is in talks with Take-Two regarding a possible offer.A non-binding proposal from Take-Two has been sent to Codemasters in order to acquire the entire company, according to Street Insider and confirmed by Take-Two in a press release.The deal would be worth £740 million, but it’s not clear how much the company will pay for Codemasters, or even if a deal will go through at this time because again, it’s just talks.Codemasters is known for its racing titles and holds the rights to games such as…

Read More