Activision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard business and news from across the web.
Xbox games are making bank on PlayStationXbox games generated $667 million in gross revenue by being ported to PlayStation 5, according to a report by Rhys Elliott of Alinea Analytics. While some titles like Forza Horizon 5 and Sea of Thieves performed exceptionally well, others like Starfield and Age of Empires II: Definitive Edition also met sales thresholds. Sony, conversely, is not planning to port more PlayStation 5 games to PC, focusing on single-player exclusives for its console while live-service games will be multiplatform.
Xbox Games On PlayStation Have Made A Staggering Amount Of Money, Report SaysA report from Alinea Analytics indicates that Xbox games released on PlayStation 5 have generated over $650 million in gross revenue. Forza Horizon 5 led sales with over 5.8 million copies, followed by Sea of Thieves and Oblivion Remastered. This data suggests a significant market for Xbox titles on Sony's platform, despite ongoing discussions about the company's multiplatform strategy.
Xbox Cutting Game Pass and Pulling Call of Duty Is Finally HonestXbox has reduced the price of Game Pass Ultimate and will no longer offer day-one access to future Call of Duty titles, a move described as the most honest statement from the company in years. This shift acknowledges that the previous pricing and strategy were unsustainable, particularly after the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The company is also scaling back its hardware ambitions and focusing on becoming a multi-platform publisher.
Games Inbox: Is buying a video game day one a good idea?Readers discuss the merits of buying games on day one, weighing instant access and being part of the conversation against the potential for lower prices and sales later. The article also touches on Sony's controversial PS5 DRM policy, the impact of studio closures on franchises like XCOM, and speculation about future game releases and company strategies.
Valve chief Gabe Newell saw today's consoles coming a long time ago: "All the consoles are using PC graphics…Valve chief Gabe Newell accurately predicted that consoles would increasingly adopt PC-like hardware and graphics, a trend evident in current-generation systems like the Xbox Series X and Nintendo Switch. While Nintendo maintains a unique approach with its custom chips and handheld focus, other platforms are converging with PC architecture, blurring the lines between traditional consoles and gaming PCs.
'Please be fake' — PlayStation fans panic as Sony seemingly introduces ridiculous new '30-day license check' on digital gamesSony is facing backlash from PlayStation fans over a rumored new '30-day license check' for digital games on PS5 and PS4. This feature, reportedly implemented after a March system update, requires consoles to connect to the internet at least once every 30 days to maintain access to purchased digital titles. While initially speculated to be a bug, user reports and PlayStation support interactions suggest the DRM measure is intentional, drawing comparisons to Microsoft's controversial Xbox One DRM policies from 2013.
Magic: The Gathering Arena staff unionize with CWA, citing forced RTO, AI use, and crunch cultureOver one hundred Wizards of the Coast employees working on Magic: The Gathering Arena have formed a union called United Wizards of the Coast, partnering with the Communications Workers of America. The union cites issues such as forced return-to-office mandates, pay discrepancies, forced AI use, and crunch culture as reasons for organizing. This effort is part of a growing trend of unionization within the gaming industry.
Xbox has changed its name and backtracked on Game Pass prices, but is it too little too late?Xbox has reverted its branding to its original name and rolled back recent Game Pass Ultimate price increases, though day-one Call of Duty releases are now excluded. New CEO Asha Sharma aims to re-center the company on its console identity after a period of perceived dilution and unpopular decisions under the previous Microsoft Gaming structure.- In lamenting World of Warcraft’s decline, ex-Blizzard boss is trying to find the guy who did thisFormer Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has been critical of World of Warcraft's current state on Twitter, suggesting the game needs a complete reset. This criticism comes despite Ybarra's own tenure being marked by declining player numbers and controversial studio decisions, including a studio meeting that demoralized staff and a handling of profit-sharing bonuses and remote work policies that led to significant talent loss.
Call of Duty was never the right fit for Game Pass | OpinionMicrosoft has reversed its strategy of including Call of Duty titles on Game Pass at launch and has rolled back recent subscription price hikes. The company realized that the franchise's core audience is not primarily interested in subscription services, and the inclusion of Call of Duty did not drive expected growth or justify lost sales revenue. This move aims to correct a strategic misstep by better aligning Game Pass value with its existing subscriber base and acknowledging the distinct market segments within gaming.- MMO Week in Review: Evercold, Aion 2, and EQ LegendsThis week in the MMORPG genre saw the reveal of Final Fantasy XIV's 'Evercold' expansion for January 2027, alongside confirmations for Aion 2's global launch this year. Several other titles like Embers of the Uncrowned, RF Online Next, Palia, EverQuest Legends, and Loftia also had significant updates or beta launches.
- Mandatory internet connection is back on consoles as new PlayStation DRM disables your license after 30 daysSony's new Digital Rights Management (DRM) policy for PlayStation consoles requires players to connect online at least once every 30 days to maintain their game licenses. This affects digital purchases on both PlayStation 4 and PlayStation 5, with failure to check in potentially disabling game access. The move has drawn comparisons to Microsoft's past controversial DRM plans for the Xbox One.
I finally like Diablo 4 now, and it's because I embraced lazinessThe author has found enjoyment in Diablo 4 by embracing a more relaxed playstyle, contrasting it with the complex buildcrafting of games like Path of Exile. While acknowledging Diablo 4's simpler approach, the article highlights how the current version and upcoming Lord of Hatred expansion offer satisfying, albeit less demanding, gameplay experiences.
"I want to make the right decision, not the fastest decision" - Xbox's new boss Asha Sharma refuses to rule out the return of exclusive gamesXbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that the company will take a data-driven and strategic approach to decisions regarding game exclusivity, emphasizing the importance of making the right choice over the fastest one. This comes as Xbox reevaluates its exclusivity policies, with Sharma also discussing the fortification of Game Pass and the potential for more affordable hardware and services.
Microsoft Kills Gaming Brand, Returns to Xbox IdentityMicrosoft is retiring the 'Microsoft Gaming' brand and re-establishing 'Xbox' as its primary identity for its gaming division. This strategic shift aims to leverage the established credibility and consumer recognition of the Xbox brand across all its gaming initiatives, including consoles, PC, and cloud services. The move coincides with a period of strong performance for Xbox and a broader industry trend towards authentic brand connection with gamers.
Are Xbox Exclusives Coming Back? Here's What Xbox CEO Asha Sharma Had To SayXbox CEO Asha Sharma stated that decisions regarding exclusive games will be carefully considered, taking a data-driven and strategic approach with long-term implications. While fans are calling for a return to exclusives, Microsoft has recently shifted towards multiplatform releases, with titles like Forza Horizon 5 reportedly earning significant revenue on PlayStation 5. Sharma also indicated potential changes to game windowing and the company's approach to AI.
Leak claims a new Xbox Game Pass tier called 'Starter Edition' that includes '50+ games' and more will be bundled with Discord NitroA leak suggests Microsoft is planning a new Xbox Game Pass tier called 'Starter Edition' that will be bundled with Discord Nitro subscriptions. This tier reportedly includes over 50 games, 10 hours of monthly cloud gaming, and Xbox rewards. This news follows recent price adjustments to Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass.
Microsoft Gaming reverts to Xbox brandingMicrosoft Gaming is reverting to the Xbox brand under new leadership, with CEO Asha Sharma and CCO Matt Booty announcing the change to employees. The company aims to focus on daily active players across hardware, content, experiences, and services, while re-evaluating exclusivity and AI approaches. This shift follows recent price reductions for Game Pass subscriptions.- Xbox ska "tänka om" angående exklusiviteterXbox is reevaluating its approach to game exclusivity, with new head Asha Sharma indicating a need to "rethink" the strategy. While not all Xbox games will become multiplatform, the company aims to strengthen its PC presence and provide better tools for developers and publishers.
Microsoft to Offer 7 Percent of its US Employees The Option to Retire Early – RumorMicrosoft is reportedly offering a buyout for early retirement to 7 percent of its US-based employees who meet specific age and tenure criteria. This news follows earlier reports of potential workforce reductions within Microsoft's gaming division and a recent rebranding of Microsoft Gaming back to Xbox.