ACTIVISION
Microsoft to cut 650 support jobs in Xbox Games unit
Microsoft layoffs: The roles to be eliminated are in “mostly corporate and supporting functions,” according to a memo sent to staff by Xbox chief Phil Spencer on Thursday. “No games, devices or experiences are being cancelled and no studios are being closed as part of these adjustments today.”
Videogame firms hit with EU complaint over 'tricking consumers'
Videogame companies Epic Games, Electronic Arts, Roblox, and others face an EU consumer complaint for allegedly misleading gamers into spending money. The European Consumer Organisation and its members claim that these companies exploit children's vulnerability to encourage excessive spending on in-game currencies. The complaint was filed with the European Commission and the European Network of Consumer Authorities.
Hollywood's videogame performers to strike over AI, pay concerns
The SAG-AFTRA has called a strike of the Interactive Media Agreement that covers video game performers, effective July 26, the union said on Thursday. The decision follows months of negotiations with major videogame companies including Activision Productions, Electronic Arts, Epic Games, Take-Two Interactive, Disney Character Voices and Warner Bros Discovery's WB Games.
Google's $23 billion plan to buy cybersecurity startup Wiz falls apart
Google's proposed $23 billion acquisition of Wiz, aiming to strengthen Google Cloud against Microsoft, was canceled as Wiz chose an IPO. CEO Rappaport targets $1 billion in recurring revenue. CNBC and Fortune reported the memo. Wiz, protecting enterprises, made $350M annualized revenue. Regulatory hurdles include Justice Department antitrust cases and FTC scrutiny under President Biden.
How Microsoft's Satya Nadella became tech's steely-eyed AI gambler
Nadella, Microsoft's CEO, had his eyes on a Silicon Valley startup called Inflection AI. The company's CEO, Mustafa Suleyman, was one of the founders of the pioneering artificial intelligence company DeepMind.
Microsoft unveils all-digital Xbox consoles, new 'Doom' and 'Call of Duty' titles at Games Showcase
Microsoft kicked off its annual Xbox Games Showcase on Sunday, revealing the new all-digital versions of its Xbox Series X and S consoles along with trailers for over a dozen games, including the highly anticipated next installment of "Call of Duty." This showcase is crucial for Xbox and Microsoft as the gaming industry faces challenges such as a downturn and studios dealing with layoffs and shutdowns.
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Microsoft to lay off about 1,500 employees at Azure cloud unit: report
Microsoft is cutting hundreds of jobs at its Azure cloud unit, impacting teams like Azure for Operators and Mission Engineering, as reported by Business Insider.
'Call of Duty: Black Ops 6': Everything we know about teaser and more
Activision announces "Call of Duty: Black Ops 6," the latest installment in the franchise, with a teaser hinting at the game's direction. This marks the first new release in the series since 2020's "Call of Duty: Black Ops Cold War" and promises more details at the Xbox Games Showcase in June.
World Series of Warzone 2024: Everything we know about schedule, format and prize pool
The World Series of Warzone 2024, announced by Activision, features the best players competing on LAN for a $1 million prize. The event includes qualifiers, group stages, and a final, all played on Urzikstan.
Microsoft, the union-friendly tech titan
In an age when companies routinely proclaim their commitments to civil rights and the environment, what does it even mean to be a woke employer? And can Microsoft, with a history of squeezing competitors, truly claim to be more evolved than most?
'Call of Duty' gamers sue Activision for monopolizing leagues, tournaments
Video game maker Activision Blizzard is facing a U.S. lawsuit for unlawfully monopolizing the Call of Duty market. The lawsuit alleges that Activision Blizzard eliminated competition and imposed strict contract provisions on teams and players. Activision Blizzard settled a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit last year.
Microsoft lays off 1,900 Activision Blizzard, Xbox staff
Microsoft is cutting around 1,900 jobs at Activision Blizzard and Xbox this week, news website The Verge reported on Thursday, citing an internal memo from the head of the company's gaming division.
UK to make Big Tech give rivals access to data under new plans
The Competition and Markets Authority's willingness to take them on was made clear last year when it intervened in Microsoft's purchase of Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard, and again more recently when it said it was reviewing the US giant's deal with ChatGPT maker OpenAI.
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella can be questioned in gamers' Activision deal lawsuit
U.S. District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley in an order denied Microsoft's bid to stop the gamers' lawyers from deposing Nadella, who has served as CEO since 2014 and helped guide the company's blockbuster deal for Activision that closed in October.
Activision Blizzard to pay $54 million to settle California state workplace discrimination claims
Activision Blizzard has agreed to pay about $54 million to settle discrimination claims brought by California's civil rights agency on behalf of women employed by the video game maker.
Activision to pay $50 million to settle workplace harassment lawsuit
California’s Civil Rights Department (CRD) had sued the "Call of Duty" maker after two years of investigation over allegations that it routinely underpaid and failed to promote female employees and condoned sexual harassment.
US FTC tries again to stop Microsoft's already-closed deal for Activision
U.S. antitrust enforcers will argue on Wednesday that a federal judge got it wrong when she ruled that Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard was legal under competition law, in their latest attempt to stop the deal.
Britain proposes antitrust overhaul after Microsoft-Activision case
The Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) moved into the top tier of global regulators when Britain left the European Union in 2020, giving it a bigger say over mega-mergers such as Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of the "Call of Duty" maker.
Microsoft spent two years trying to buy Activision Blizzard, for Xbox CEO, that was the easy part
After two years co-piloting the biggest acquisition in video game history past an onslaught of challenges, Xbox CEO Phil Spencer now moves on to his next quest: making Microsoft's takeover of Activision Blizzard worth the hassle.
Microsoft welcomes Activision Blizzard and their teams to Xbox
Microsoft's Vice Chair and President, Smith, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Activision Blizzard employees and the Communication Workers of America. Microsoft's CEO, Nadella, stated that the partnership is a significant development for gamers worldwide.
Microsoft closes $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal after Britain's nod
Britain finally cleared Microsoft's acquisition of Activision earlier in the day after it forced the Xbox owner to sell the steaming rights to address its competition concerns.
UK antitrust regulator clears Microsoft's acquisition of Activision
Activision had in August agreed to sell its streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment, and Microsoft last month offered remedies to ensure the terms of the sale were enforceable by the regulator, soothing some residual concerns.
Microsoft looks to close Activision deal next week: report
Microsoft won preliminary approval from the Competition and Markets Authority last month after Activision agreed to sell its streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment.
Microsoft nears takeover of 'Call of Duty' maker Activision
Microsoft launched its blockbuster $69-billion takeover in January last year, an acquisition that would make it the world's third-largest gaming company by revenue, but it faced stiff scrutiny from US regulators and the UK's Competition and Markets Authority.
Microsoft closes in on Activision deal after Britain signals approval
Microsoft came one step closer Friday to completing its $69 billion purchase of the video game-maker Activision Blizzard, in a deal that has become an example of how a company can successfully ride out stricter regulatory scrutiny of the power of tech giants.
Microsoft bid for 'Call of Duty' maker Activision Blizzard nears UK approval
The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) said Microsoft's "restructured deal makes important changes" and "opens the door to the deal being cleared".
Microsoft-Activision timeline: Ubisoft deal opens doors to Britain's nod
Last month, "Call of Duty" maker Activision agreed to sell its non-European streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment to get the biggest deal yet in video-gaming past Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Britain says may clear restructured Microsoft-Activision deal
Microsoft announced the biggest gaming deal in history in early 2022, but the $69 billion acquisition was blocked in April by Britain's competition regulator, which was concerned the U.S. computing giant would gain too much control of the nascent cloud gaming market.
UK minister rejects Microsoft criticism of decision to block Activision deal
"Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard has since said it will sell its streaming rights in a fresh attempt to win approval from Britain's anti-trust regulator, the CMA, for its $69 billion sale to Microsoft.
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