Activision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard business and news from across the web.
Revisiting the last truly great Call of DutyCall of Duty: Modern Warfare (2019) is revisited as the last truly great entry in the series, praised for its atmosphere, sound design, and grounded realism. The article highlights its superior gunplay and attachment customization compared to later titles, lamenting the shift towards cosmetic collaborations and the integration with Warzone.
Black Ops 7's April Fools' joke is very much real: the smallest Call of Duty map in historyTreyarch has released a new, extremely small map called GRWM for Call of Duty: Black Ops 7, initially conceived as an April Fools' joke. The map, resembling a walk-in closet, supports an 8-player free-for-all and is noted for its fast-paced, violent gameplay and potential for rapid player progression.
World of Warcraft lead asks how players would feel about playing the MMO on controller with a dedicated UI, but fans…Blizzard Entertainment is exploring the possibility of adding controller support and a dedicated UI for World of Warcraft, with executive producer Holly Longdale actively researching player interest. While some players expressed concerns about potential negative impacts on the PC experience, others see it as an inevitable move, especially following Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Stop Killing Games Campaign Reaches EU Parliament in Historic PushThe 'Stop Killing Games' campaign has reached the EU Parliament, initiating policy discussions on game shutdowns and digital art preservation. The movement advocates for legislation to prevent publishers from making older games unplayable by shutting down servers, arguing it destroys cultural heritage. While facing industry pushback regarding costs and technical challenges, the campaign leverages the EU's strong stance on consumer rights and digital regulation.
Microsoft is building new '100% native' Windows programs to replace memory-hogging web appsMicrosoft is encouraging developers to build '100% native' Windows applications, moving away from memory-intensive web apps that utilize WebView content. This initiative aims to improve the performance and reduce the memory footprint of Windows, with former Microsoft operative Mikhail Parakhin's '20/20 project' also contributing to this goal.
UK software sales chart for the week ending March 28, 2026 – Mario Kart World still doing wellThe UK software sales chart for the week ending March 28, 2026, shows Mario Kart World holding strong at number two. Super Mario Bros. Wonder re-entered the top ten, boosted by its Nintendo Switch 2 Edition. The chart features a wide range of titles from various publishers, including EA SPORTS FC 26, Resident Evil Requiem, and Assassin's Creed Shadows.
The Best Xbox Game Pass Games In 2026This guide highlights the best games available on Xbox Game Pass in 2026, covering a wide range of genres from roguelites to open-world adventures. It details different subscription tiers and provides brief descriptions of each recommended title, including recent additions and critically acclaimed games from previous years.
PS5, PS5 Pro’s Price Hikes Might Lead to PS6 Costing 50 Percent More, Say AnalystsIndustry analysts predict that recent price hikes for the PlayStation 5 and PlayStation 5 Pro could lead to the PlayStation 6 costing up to 50 percent more. Factors such as US economic policies, rising component costs, and market volatility are cited as reasons for the anticipated increase, potentially normalizing $1,000 console prices.- The PS5 is increasing in price yet again. So, what’s going on with all these price hikes in gaming?Sony has announced another price increase for the PlayStation 5, PlayStation 5 Pro, and PlayStation Portal in several global markets, citing economic pressures and the need to deliver high-quality gaming experiences. This follows previous price hikes for PlayStation and Xbox consoles, with factors like inflation, increased tariffs, and the demand for AI-powered hardware contributing to rising costs across the tech industry.
Artificial Detective: Breaking Down the Gameplay Behind This Incredible Xbox Partner Preview RevealArtificial Detective is an upcoming action-adventure game from indie studio Vivix, featuring a robot detective named AD 2846 in a neo-noir, retro-futuristic city. The game emphasizes companion and survival mechanics, with players exploring a dystopian world alongside a robodog and a human girl. Developers Ilya Kuzyuk and Vadim Krayevoy highlighted the game's blend of investigation, combat, and environmental interaction, inspired by classic archetypes and films like Blade Runner.
March Xbox Update: New Console Updates Available to Insiders, Xbox at GDC, and MoreXbox is rolling out new console features for Insiders, including customizable Home groups, custom colors, and Quick Resume settings. Updates from GDC include Project Helix, a next-generation console concept, and the expansion of Xbox mode to all Windows 11 devices. New dynamic backgrounds for Sea of Thieves and Towerborne are also available.
Open-World Action Games Similar to GTA in 2026: 15 Exciting AlternativesThis guide explores 15 open-world action games that offer similar experiences to the Grand Theft Auto series, catering to various preferences in 2026. It highlights titles ranging from realistic crime dramas like Red Dead Redemption 2 and Mafia: Definitive Edition to over-the-top chaotic sandboxes like Saints Row and Just Cause 4. The list also includes immersive RPGs like Cyberpunk 2077 and The Witcher 3, as well as mobile options like Gangstar Vegas.
Microsoft Gaming’s New CEO Might Revamp Game Pass Subscription Prices – RumorA report suggests that Asha Sharma, the new CEO of Microsoft Gaming, plans to make Game Pass more affordable with lower-priced tiers. While Microsoft has not officially commented, the report also mentions potential partnership talks with Netflix for subscription bundles. Former Microsoft Game Studios co-founder Laura Fryer and former FTC commissioner Lina Khan have criticized recent price hikes and business decisions.
The Rise of Tech Startups in the Caribbean: Innovation Beyond TourismThe Caribbean is experiencing a significant economic transformation driven by the rise of technology startups, moving beyond its traditional reliance on tourism. Sectors like fintech, AI, blockchain, and e-commerce are rapidly growing, fueled by improved digital infrastructure, a young tech-savvy workforce, and a focus on solving local challenges with scalable solutions. While challenges in funding and regulation persist, the region is increasingly attracting international investment and positioning itself as a global hub for innovation.
Savvy Games acquires Mobile Legends developer Moonton for $6 billionSavvy Games has acquired Mobile Legends developer Moonton from ByteDance for $6 billion, aiming to expand its mobile gaming division and esports presence. Separately, Roblox announced plans to charge creators for brand integrations starting in 2027, framing it as an evolution of user, creator, and brand responsibility rather than a revenue-driven move.
Top 12 Most Expensive Video Game Buyouts Of All TimeThis article lists the top 12 most expensive video game buyouts, with Microsoft's $75.4 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard topping the list. Other major deals include EA's $55 billion sale to an investor consortium and Take-Two's $12.7 billion purchase of Zynga. The analysis highlights trends of industry consolidation and significant investment from entities like Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund.- DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, bacteria that eat plastic waste, and more science newsRecent scientific findings include the discovery of DNA building blocks on asteroid Ryugu, suggesting these molecules were widespread in the early solar system and potentially transported to Earth. Additionally, a consortium of bacteria has been identified that can collectively digest plastic additives, offering a potential solution for plastic pollution. The Hubble Space Telescope also captured a rare, early view of a comet breaking apart.
- Betawatch: Hollowed Oath is happening, The Cube Save Us will not save usThis article provides a weekly update on MMORPGs currently in various stages of testing and early access. It highlights new entries like Hollowed Oath and The Cube, Save Us, while also detailing the status of numerous other titles, including those with blockchain elements and those facing delays or potential abandonment.
Why Esports Professional Teams Are Investing in Content Creation and StreamingEsports professional teams are increasingly investing in content creation and streaming as core business pillars, moving beyond a sole focus on tournament wins. This strategy helps maintain fan engagement between events, builds personality-driven loyalty, and creates new revenue streams through ads, merchandise, and sponsorships. By developing media brands rather than just rosters, teams aim for greater stability and reach, attracting a broader audience beyond hardcore competitive viewers.- Put a Billionaire on Trial in Courtroom Deck-Builder All Will Rise as Kickstarter Enters Final DaysAll Will Rise, a narrative courtroom deck-builder developed by Speculative Agency, is nearing the end of its Kickstarter campaign on March 23. The game focuses on a lawyer's fight against a corrupt billionaire for environmental destruction. The studio recently returned funding from Microsoft due to the 'No Games for Genocide' boycott, aligning with the game's themes of accountability. A demo is available on Steam.