Trouble For Microsoft?
UK competition regulator calls for review of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The regulator claims the deal could “harm rivals”
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
Miguel Vicente
Audience Marketing Manager, Portugal
Brad Smith
President
Agostino Simonetta
Director for global partnership management ID@Xbox
Asha Sharma
EVP and CEO of Microsoft Gaming
Satya Nadella
CEO
Andy Lunique
Influencer Relations Manager
+3 more
Accolades
Articles featuring Microsoft
Microsoft Acquisition
Phil Spencer: "I'm always thinking about things that add to our capability"
Microsoft Gaming's CEO discussed the Activision Blizzard acquisition with Bloomberg
Industry Report
71% of H1 2022's total deal value came from just 5 deals
A new report breaks down the biggest deals, acquisitions, and mergers of the first half of 2022
Big Business
Saudi Arabia approves Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The Middle Eastern country is the first to recognize the acquisition
Ten Years Of Clash Of Clans
Ilkka Paananen: We haven’t seen an opportunity for NFTs to truly, truly make the experience better
The Supercell CEO spoke to Fast Company about development, longevity, and NFT’s
The Power Of Partners
Netflix and Microsoft partner for new subscription plan
The ad-supported Netflix subscription plan aims to provide "more options" to consumers
Twitter Top Ten
Mobile leads Twitter's most discussed games conversations in 2022
Seven of the top 10 most discussed games on the platform are mobile titles, including Genshin Impact and Ensemble Stars!
No Homers Club
Metaverse giants create standards forum – with considerable absences
Meta, Microsoft, and other tech giants have formed a group to foster compatibility in the metaverse, so far without the presence of Apple, Roblox, and others
Party Like It’s 2009-2011
Minecraft is Angry Bird’s latest official collaboration
DLC created by Oreville Studios
Improved Experience
Xbox Cloud Gaming increased performance for iOS devices
Led to 35% increase in average play times
Microsoft Manoeuvres
Microsoft announces suspension of new sales in Russia
Protecting Ukraine’s cybersecurity
Calling On Developers
Ukraine appeals to games industry to close Russian studios
Apple, Google, Riot, Wargaming, and Gameloft among mobile entities approached
Adios Achievements
Microsoft to switch off Xbox Live services on Windows Phones in May
Achievements and cloud saves will discontinue from May 16 2022
King Of Acquisitions
The PocketGamer.biz View: Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard
The true jewel in the crown is King
Microsoft Monopolises
Microsoft: mobile gaming key to Activision Blizzard acquisition
Firm puts mobile at the forefront of the acquisition
Deep Breaths
Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard for almost $70 billion cash
Aims to bring its franchises to players "virtually anywhere"
No Agreement Reached
Microsoft negotiated to bring Xbox triple-A games to Apple App Store
2020 emails reveal streaming tech and IAP discussions
Google Gaming
Google Play Games is on its way to Windows
Planned for 2022 release
Mobile Master Chief
20% of Xbox Cloud Gaming subscribers use touch controls exclusively
Games include Hades, Scarlet Nexus, Dragon Quest XI and more
Representation
Microsoft joins Take-Two as a Gerald A. Lawson Fund contributor
Looks to increase support for Black and indigenous students in the games industry
Let Them Mine
Minecraft becomes adults-only in South Korea
Restrictions will see those under 19 unable to access the game
New Datacenters
Xbox Cloud Gaming is now available on iOS devices
"Today marks a key milestone in our journey…"
Open Windows
Windows 11 to support Android apps via Amazon Appstore
Tech uses Intel Bridge
No Deal
Discord considers IPO as Microsoft talks end
Company is apparently interested in going public in the future
In The Clouds
Microsoft rolls out Xbox Cloud Gaming beta for iOS
Via web browsers
Better Games
Microsoft’s free Game Stack Live event runs 20-21 April
Learn to make better games
$$$$$
Report: Discord holding "exclusive" sale discussions with Microsoft
Negotiations have reached an "advanced" stage, deal could close next month
Splash The Cash
Report: Microsoft among companies looking to buy Discord
Chat platform is apparently up for sale with a $10 billion price tag
Go Ahea
Microsoft ZeniMax acquisition gets nod in EU and US
Deal is worth $7.5 billion
Cloud Nine
Microsoft is testing 1080p resolution for xCloud
Project xCloud will come to iOS via web browsers
Cold Feet
Microsoft acquiring Bethesda gave Google cold feet about Stadia games business
Search giant talked up how well everything was going just five days before announcing it was closing its first-party studios
In The Clouds
Microsoft is testing xCloud streaming via browsers
Public trial coming in the near future
Pgc Digital
PGC Digital: "Gamers with disabilities have extra challenges on top of what you have already built"
Microsoft is set to re-launch its new Xbox Accessibility Guidelines on February 16th
Possible Acquisition
Microsoft looking at more acquisition opportunities
"I've been hearing a lot of conversations behind closed doors about acquisitions in the industry. There's a lot of moving things going on right now"
Money Money Money
$33.6 billion was spent on games industry investments last year
$12.6 billion came from M&As
It's A No From Me
Nintendo "laughed their asses off" when Microsoft inquired about acquisition
Xbox firm also tried to buy EA, Square and Midway
Farewell
Minecraft Earth set to shutdown in June 2021
The AR title launched in October 2019
In The Clouds
Project xCloud is coming to iOS devices in Spring 2021
It will also enter new markets such as Japan, Brazil, Australia and Mexico
Getting Competitive
Microsoft acquires esports events firm Smash.gg
No figure put on the deal yet
Popping Off
Microsoft is shutting down Gears Pop in April 2021
Refunds will be offered for purchased made in the last 90 days
Moving On
Minecraft players will need a Microsoft account from 2021
To increase account security
Make It Happen
Microsoft is looking at a web-based xCloud app for iOS devices
"We absolutely will end up on iOS with Game Pass"
Lawful Diversity
The US Labor department is investigating Microsoft's diversity initiative
"We are clear that the law prohibits us from discriminating on the basis of race"
Attack The Block
Microsoft and Nintendo team up to bring Minecraft to Super Smash Bros. Ultimate
Minecraft Steve, Alex, Zombie and Enderman all join the fight
Mobile Play
Microsoft is launching a new Xbox app with remote play on iOS
Already available on Android
Heading To Japan
Microsoft is launching xCloud in Japan in 2021
"In Japan, we're seeing the community embrace this freedom to play"
Future Perfect
Post-ZeniMax, Microsoft still open to game acquisitions
"We'll always look for places where there is that commonality of purpose, mission and culture"
Big Acquisition
Microsoft acquires ZeniMax Media and Bethesda for $7.5 billion
"We have enjoyed a close partnership with Microsoft for decades..."
Pgc Helsinki Digital
PGC Helsinki Digital: What is happening at ID@Xbox
"We have a lot of developers reaching out to us to discuss Game Pass"
Got Your Back
Microsoft gives its support to Epic in its ongoing feud with Apple
"Developing a game using different game engines for different platforms may be prohibitively expensive and difficult"