No Halo Killer
ID@Xbox's Chris Charla on discoverability and launching into a saturated market
The three day conference opens with a short talk on indie devs from which game makers on all platform can draw insights
Company Profile
Microsoft
Website
www.microsoft.com
About
Founded in 1975, Microsoft is the worldwide leader in software, services, and solutions that help people and businesses realise their full potential.
Related People
Brad Smith
President
Asha Sharma
EVP and CEO of Microsoft Gaming
Miguel Vicente
Audience Marketing Manager, Portugal
Agostino Simonetta
Director for global partnership management ID@Xbox
Andy Lunique
Influencer Relations Manager
Satya Nadella
CEO
+3 more
Accolades
Articles featuring Microsoft
Legislation
Google, Apple and others now have six months to comply with new digital markets rules
The Digital Markets Act in the EU will see digital “gatekeepers” forced to adhere to new rules
Competition Authority
South African authorities unconditionally approve Activision Blizzard acquisition
Another win for Microsoft despite home-grown struggles
Sonic Speculations
Microsoft acquiring Sega? Rumours get extinguished by COO Shuji Utsumi
The Federal Trade Commission’s suit against Microsoft reveals notions of acquiring Sega… Which went precisely nowhere
Ranking
AppLovin takes downloads top spot for US companies worldwide
Data.ai's latest shows mobile-first beating the big names to take pole position
Documentation
Zynga, Playrix and Niantic were all potential entries on Microsoft’s shopping list
News comes as part of the revelation Microsoft considered buying Sega
Delays
New Zealand competition authorities to delay decision on Activision Blizzard acquisition to July 17th
The delay comes as the US FTC and UK CMA both levy actions against the landmark deal
Partnerships
Hutch to partner with Forza's Turn 10 for standalone racing game
The studio behind Top Drives is set to tackle working with Microsoft's top driving team
Acquiblizz
A US judge has blocked Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Despite being approved around the world, the biggest acquisition in gaming history still faces significant hurdles
Deal Disruption
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard sued by FTC
The Federal Trade Commission aims to block the acquisition sooner rather than later
Teaming Up
Activision Blizzard piles in to support Microsoft’s CMA appeal
UK regulator to face Microsoft and Activision Blizzard together in cloud gaming appeal
Week That Was
Week in Views - What caught our eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pick of this weeks big news including Apple's latest hardware, Silent Hill's next steps, and Microsoft's appeal against the CMA
Acquiblizz
Microsoft and the UK's CMA begin their appeal tribunal on July 24
Microsoft hopes to change the CMA’s mind regarding its acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Aquiblizz
South Korean regulators approve Activision Blizzard deal
The approval puts further pressure on the UK CMA
China Chimes In
China approves Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard acquisition
Yet another approval counter to the UK’s decision
Acquiblizz
“It’s really important that we own this decision." The EU responds to the UK CMA’s Microsoft merger comments
The EU commission cements its stance on the Activision Blizzard takeover following the UK CMA's mixed messages yesterday
Acquiblizz
Could Microsoft pull off a 'Mexit' and quit the UK after Aquiblizz blocks?
It's not impossible. Microsoft could pull prohibited games out of the UK to close the Activision Blizzard deal. But what would that mean and how likely is it to happen?
Acquiblizz
Electronic Arts boss Andrew Wilson claims Microsoft/Activision Blizzard deal is immaterial to them
EA remains Microsoft's "biggest partner and number one publisher on their platform"
Acquiblizz
The CMA responds to the European Commission’s approval of the Microsoft/Activision Blizzard Deal
The group took to Twitter to reaffirm its position regarding the acquisition
Acquiblizz
Approved: The EU gives Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard the go ahead
The EU’s decision puts it at odds with the UK and USA
Regulation
The UK CMA place blanket ban on investment between Microsoft and Activision Blizzard
It just gets worse. Now the two giants will not even be able to “acquire an interest” in one another
Acquiblizz
Microsoft prepares to appeal against the CMA’s Activision Blizzard ruling
The UK group blocked the biggest acquisition in gaming history last month
A Yes From Ukraine
Ukraine grants approval of Microsoft's Activision Blizzard acquisition
Ukraine is less concerned about cloud gaming than the European Commission
Acquiblizz
Is the biggest deal in gaming history dead and what happens next?
With the UK's CMA blocking Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, where does that leave the deal and the rest of the industry?
Regulators
Bobby Kotick and Brad Smith defiant after CMA ruling
The bosses of both Activision Blizzard and Microsoft have hit back harshly at regulators who've blocked their deal
Acquiblizz
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority blocks the Microsoft Activision Blizzard deal
Microsoft was unable to address the CMA’s concerns regarding how the deal would affect competitors in the cloud gaming space
Acquiblizz
Sony claims CMA narrowing scope of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard is “irrational”
The tech giant has been one of the deal’s biggest opponents
Acquiblizz
Microsoft's Activision Blizzard deal inches closer as the UK's CMA flips its decision
The authority has backtracked on its previous findings and is satisfied that the deal WON'T affect console competitors. But cloud gaming remains an issue
Acquiblizz
This week in the Microsoft x Activision Blizzard deal
All the latest in one place as the EU and CMA flip-flop opinions and a conclusion draws nearer
Microsoft Merger
EU delays decision on Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Relax. The $69 billion acquisition decision has been pushed back to May 22
Microsoft App Store
Microsoft hopes to launch its mobile app store next year
The tech giant hopes to capitalise on changes to regulations regarding alternative app stores
Regulations
Call of Duty: Mobile team attempt to clarify Warzone confusion: “We are committed.”
The team behind CoD Mobile clarifies their position and reiterates their commitment to the title
Acquivision Blizzard
Microsoft, Activision, and Sony: The story so far
As the deal inches towards a conclusion Microsoft still face opposition in both the mobile and console spaces
Regulations
Microsoft: Acquiring mobile portion of Activision Blizzard is “key strategic objective”
The comments were made in the response to key CMA remedies for the merger
Phasing Out
Call of Duty Mobile to be phased out when Warzone Mobile releases
The battle-royale game will supercede its predecessor as the sole CoD mobile title
Acquivision Blizzard
Microsoft may be winning the Activision war
A new decision by the FTC shows the tides may be turning in the tech giant’s favour
Sony Acquisition
Sony reportedly eyeing up acquisition of Take-Two Interactive
The tech giant could be preparing to unleash the latest volley in its arms race with Microsoft
Acquivision Blizzard
EU unlikely to demand asset dump in Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard battle
The deal has come under scrutiny from regulators worldwide
Phil Spencer Interview
Xbox's Phil Spencer talks Microsoft's moves on mobile, plus Activision Blizzard and AI
“What we realised, and it’s painfully obvious, is that we don’t really have any capability on mobile”
Acquivision Blizzard
Microsoft signs deals with Nvidia for Call of Duty on GeForce Now
The company announced the deal at a press briefing to discuss its acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Aquiblizz
Microsoft signs ten-year deal with Nintendo for Call of Duty
The agreement, announced by Microsoft's Brad Smith, will see the company commit to providing the game on Nintendo’s platforms
Gaming In India
Xbox aiming to bridge the mobile-console gap in India
Microsoft’s gaming arm is hoping to capitalise on both India’s thriving mobile industry and nascent console scene
A Blizzard Of Accusations
Bobby Kotick, Microsoft, and Sony clash over Activision Blizzard acquisition
Activision Blizzard CEO Kotick is accusing Sony of sabotaging the Microsoft deal, while Sony is accusing Microsoft of harassment
Views Week
Week in Views - What caught our editorial eyes in the last seven days
The Pocketgamer.biz team take their pick of this weeks big news to talk big games moving to mobile, big money being made, and big trouble for some big names
Drake Star Report
The top ten gaming industry deals of 2022
We break down the biggest acquisitions of 2022, as reported by Drake Star
Aquiblizz
UK Competitions & Markets Authority rumoured to block Activision Blizzard acquisition
According to sources, Microsoft are actively anticipating a possible block on the Activision-Blizzard acquisition by the UK CMA
Acquivision Blizzard
EU issues Microsoft with antitrust warning
The commission is the latest to take formal steps against the tech giant’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
Trends 2023
Mobile Games Industry Trends 2023: Revenue models
MobileGroove's Peggy Anne Salz looks at the hottest new ways to monetise games, from subscription models to independent game stores
Drake Star Review
Who were 2022's most strategic gaming investors?
Drake Star breaks down last year’s top gaming acquisitions. Who spent the smartest money in 2022? Find out here
2023 Predictions
Drake Star releases its predictions for 2023 in gaming
Look ahead to a year of consolidation and diversification