Activision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard business and news from across the web.
New Xbox CEO says successful platforms "must have exclusive content" and is "looking at that very closely" as Halo and Fable prepare to jump to PS5Xbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that successful platforms require exclusive content, a strategy the company is actively considering for titles like Halo and Fable, which are reportedly coming to PlayStation 5. Sharma emphasized balancing broad audience reach with the need for platform-defining exclusives, acknowledging the evolving ways players consume content.- Evening Tech BitsMicrosoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard is mentioned in passing. The article also touches on Kevin O'Leary's scaled-back AI data center project in Utah and the growing interest in humanoid robots.
XBOX CEO Wants to Make It the “Number One Gaming and Entertainment Company” by 2030Xbox CEO Asha Sharma aims to make the company the leading gaming and entertainment entity by 2030, emphasizing industry leadership over profit margins. She highlighted significant investments in acquisitions like Activision Blizzard and Zenimax, and ongoing platform development as key to achieving this goal. Sharma also noted the substantial revenue generated by franchises such as Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft.
PS5 Price Hike Has Flushed UK Hardware Sales Down the ToiletSony's PlayStation 5 hardware sales in the UK fell by 50% in May following a price increase, with the console barely outselling the Xbox Series X|S. While Microsoft's console saw a 12% rise in sales, the Nintendo Switch outperformed both. The article suggests that some PS5 sales may have been brought forward due to the price hike.
Voidling Bound Surpassed 300.000 Wishlists and Will Hatch Next Week on Steam & Epic Games Store!Voidling Bound, a sci-fi monster-taming Action RPG from ex-Skylanders developers at Hatchery Games, has surpassed 300,000 wishlists ahead of its June 9th, 2026 release on Steam and Epic Games Store. The game will also launch on PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X/S, and Nintendo Switch at a later date. A demo with progress carry-over is currently available on Steam with an Overwhelmingly Positive reception.- Engagement RingAn analyst suggests Call of Duty's departure from last-generation consoles has reduced its sales to the smallest install base since 2017. The article mentions PlayStation as a platform.
- AI Yi-Yi!Senator Bernie Sanders has proposed a sovereign wealth fund for Artificial Intelligence companies, advocating for 50% public ownership of American AI firms. This initiative aims to ensure broader public benefit from the burgeoning AI industry.
PS5 first-party game sales have been dropping for the last six yearsSony's first-party game sales on PlayStation 5 have seen a consistent decline over the past six years, despite strong console sales. This trend is attributed to a reduced output of major exclusive titles and a shift towards live service games, which has impacted overall sales figures compared to previous years.
Analyst: Call of Duty's withdrawal from last-gen consoles means it's selling into the smallest install base since 2017An analyst report indicates that Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's move to current-gen consoles and the Nintendo Switch will result in the smallest install base since 2017, due to the exclusion of PlayStation 4 and Xbox One. Rising hardware prices are also expected to limit the audience for new consoles, despite the franchise's historical multi-generational support.
Summer Game Fest 2026 and State of Play - every PS5, Xbox, and Nintendo rumourThis article compiles numerous rumors and predictions for upcoming announcements at Summer Game Fest, State of Play, and other gaming showcases. It covers potential reveals for games across PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch platforms, including new titles, sequels, remakes, and DLC from major publishers like Sony, Microsoft, Nintendo, Ubisoft, and Capcom.
Infinity Ward sneakily offers first look at Modern Warfare 4 multiplayer gameplay, and apparently it's all about movement nowInfinity Ward has provided a first look at Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's multiplayer gameplay, emphasizing a new focus on fluid movement mechanics. The developer showcased advanced traversal options, including sliding, climbing, and mantling, aiming to address player feedback from previous titles. The game is set to release on October 23rd for PC, PlayStation 5, Xbox Series X, and Nintendo Switch 2.
Dragon Prince co-creator joins the Overwatch team reigniting hopes for animationJustin Richmond, co-creator of Netflix's The Dragon Prince, has joined the Overwatch team as Franchise Creative Director. This move has sparked speculation about Activision Blizzard developing an animated show based on the Overwatch intellectual property, a long-requested expansion by fans.
Call of Duty yet again promises 'no clowny skins' for Modern Warfare 4, but we've been burned beforeInfinity Ward has reiterated its commitment to thematic and grounded cosmetics for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, a promise previously made for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7 which was later broken with Fallout TV show skins. Despite fan skepticism and past disappointments, the developers are emphasizing a return to the series' roots, though past underperformances and external pressures like the BDS movement add complexity to the situation.
There's one game Don't Nod narrative designer Nina Freeman won't ever uninstall from her PC, because it's banned on Steam: 'It's tragic, because everyone should play this game'Narrative designer Nina Freeman discusses her PC gaming habits, highlighting Devotion as a game she will never uninstall due to its quality and controversial Steam ban. She also shares her most played game, Dota 2, and her appreciation for complex branching narratives in titles like Scarlet Hollow.
Xbox will "adjust" its promotional materials after fans slam decision to use rival logos in its showcasesXbox CEO Asha Sharma acknowledged that including competitor logos in promotional materials was a mistake and will be adjusted for future showcases. Chief content officer Matt Booty emphasized transparency regarding game platforms, a commitment Xbox intends to maintain despite fan backlash.
Stop Killing Games consumer protection bill passes floor vote in CaliforniaThe California State Assembly has passed the Protect Our Games Act (AB 1921), a bill aimed at protecting consumer rights and ensuring game preservation. The legislation, motivated by incidents like Ubisoft's shutdown of The Crew, would require publishers to provide offline access or refunds when server-dependent games are discontinued. The bill now moves to the California State Senate, facing opposition from industry groups like Video Games Europe and the ESA who argue it could increase development costs and stifle innovation.
A conversation with Infinity Ward about Call of DutyInfinity Ward developers Joe Cecot and Jacky Reynolds discuss Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, emphasizing the studio's focus on quality gameplay feel and differentiating its titles from other Call of Duty studios like Treyarch and Sledgehammer. They touch on design philosophies, the evolution of weapon customization with apex attachments, and the ongoing efforts to improve technical aspects like the 'update requires restart' issue.- MMO Business Roundup: Steam Deck’s price hike, Microsoft’s ActiBlizz settlement, and Rockstar UK’s unionThis MMO business roundup covers several industry developments, including Valve's Steam Deck OLED experiencing significant price hikes. Microsoft has settled a $250 million class-action lawsuit related to its Activision Blizzard acquisition. Additionally, developers at Rockstar Games have officially formed a union, the Rockstar Game Workers Union (RGWU), and plan legal action over alleged union-busting.
Despite Uncertainty Over Exclusivity, Xbox Will Still Show PS5 Logos at ShowcaseMicrosoft will continue to display PlayStation 5 logos for games releasing on both platforms during its upcoming Xbox Showcase, according to Chief Content Officer Matt Booty. This confirms that titles like Halo: Campaign Evolved and Fable will feature PS5 branding. The presence or absence of PS5 logos for games like Gears of War: E-Day will be a key indicator of Microsoft's future exclusivity strategy.- Xbox Will Show PS5 Logos at Showcase, But May Adjust Moving Forward as Execs Publicly Contradict Each OtherXbox CEO Asha Sharma contradicted earlier statements from Matt Booty regarding the display of PlayStation 5 logos during Xbox showcases. While Booty indicated a commitment to clearly showing all platforms a game is releasing on, Sharma described the current approach as a 'miss' and stated adjustments would be made for future shows, following fan feedback on social media.