Activision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
UK software sales chart for the week ending August 29, 2026 – Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2, Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition debut
The UK software sales chart for the week ending August 29, 2026, sees Metal Gear Solid: Master Collection Vol. 2 debut at number one, with 80% of sales on PlayStation 5. Elden Ring: Tarnished Edition enters at number five. The chart also features strong performances from other major titles like EA Sports FC 26 and Pokemon Pokopí.
StarCraft 3 rumors resurface as new report claims Nexon and IP owner Blizzard are nearly ready to finalize a deal
Rumors suggest that Nexon is close to finalizing a deal with Blizzard Entertainment to acquire the development rights for the StarCraft franchise, potentially leading to the creation of StarCraft 3. The report indicates that Nexon has already begun work on a hypothetical StarCraft sequel, separate from Blizzard's own internal efforts.
GTA 6 Removes The Series’ Worst Feature
Grand Theft Auto 6 will remove the series' traditional mash-or-hold face button sprinting mechanic in favor of clicking the analog stick, a change that Rockstar Games apparently agrees is overdue. This update, along with other features like a larger map and new systems, aims to make the game a massive entertainment launch.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Asmodee appoints Brian Trunk as senior vice president, Route to Market for the Americas
This article rounds up recent appointments and transitions within the games industry. Notable moves include Brian Trunk joining Asmodee as senior vice president, David Scarborough becoming senior manager of EMEA communications at Blizzard Entertainment, and Ilari Kuittinen stepping down as managing director of Housemarque after 31 years. Several other individuals have taken on new roles at companies like CD Projekt Red, Epic Games, and Activision Blizzard.
Jobs roundup: September 2026 | Amir Satvat joins 1Up Ventures as a general partner
This article rounds up recent personnel changes in the games industry, including Amir Satvat joining 1Up Ventures, Ilari Kuittinen stepping down from Housemarque, and Tamara Feiman appointed CEO of Lion Studios. It also notes new roles at Sega of America and Activision Blizzard for Call of Duty.
Asha Sharma gives a positive response about the rising cost of tech
Xbox Executive Vice President and CEO Asha Sharma discussed the rising cost of gaming hardware and the impact of Artificial Intelligence during an interview at Gamescom. Sharma acknowledged challenges like component shortages and the need for innovation in affordability, while the article criticizes the perceived dismissal of concerns over GPU and CPU price hikes driven by AI demand.
Steam Week in Review: Here are the top 10 most popular genres on Steam
A new report analyzing Steam revenue data reveals that sandbox games have the highest 'hit rate,' meaning the largest percentage of games within the genre earn over $100,000. First-person shooters, RPGs, and simulation games also show strong performance. The study used the Boxleiter method to estimate sales based on review counts.
Activision serves cease and desist to infamous Call of Duty cheat maker—and films the whole thing: 'We will…
Activision has publicly served cease-and-desist papers to a prominent Call of Duty cheat maker, Elocarry, and posted the exchange online as a warning to others. The company also revealed it has issued 80 such letters and disrupted hundreds of reseller operations. Efforts to combat cheating are being integrated into Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, with improved detection and faster action times reported during its beta tests.
Project Ascension World of Warcraft emulator is shutting down following apparent Blizzard lawsuit settlement
Blizzard Entertainment has reached a mutual agreement with the World of Warcraft emulator Project Ascension, leading to its shutdown on September 4, 2026. The lawsuit accused Project Ascension of intellectual property infringement and generating millions of dollars through its cash shop. The developers plan to shift focus to a new project unrelated to Blizzard games.
Xbox Kept At Least One Big Promise In Its Most Tumultuous Year Ever
Despite a tumultuous year marked by leadership changes, layoffs, and strategic shifts, Xbox managed to fulfill its promise of delivering over 75 day-one releases for Game Pass Ultimate subscribers between October 2025 and September 2026. This analysis tracks the monthly additions and reflects on the broader changes within Xbox, including leadership transitions and evolving strategies for its subscription service.
Gamescom 2026 developers report theft of equipment from floor booths
Multiple developers and companies, including iam8bit and Ryan Laley, reported theft of laptops and equipment from their booths at Gamescom 2026. Police reports have been filed, and Tessera Studios also had items stolen. The incidents have led to criticism of Gamescom's security measures, with some developers offering support to the affected parties.
Xbox’s Disc-To-Digital Program Means Microsoft Is Probably Done With Discs Too
Microsoft has introduced a "Disc-to-Digital" program for Xbox, allowing users to convert physical game licenses into perpetual digital ones usable across Xbox, PC, and cloud gaming. This move, alongside Sony's earlier announcement to cease physical disc production for PlayStation games after 2028, strongly suggests that both companies are phasing out physical media for future console generations. The program aims to help players maintain access to their game libraries in a digital-first future.
I barely remember the last time Nvidia mentioned gaming at all in an earnings call
Nvidia's latest earnings call reveals a significant shift in company priorities, with the data center and artificial intelligence segments now dominating revenue and strategic focus. Gaming, once a core business, is no longer reported as a separate segment and has minimal impact on the company's bottom line, despite the continued release of high-end GPUs like the RTX 50-series.
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026: Every Major Announcement, Reveal and Trailer | Invision Game Community
Gamescom Opening Night Live 2026 showcased numerous game announcements and trailers, with The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt Remastered and its new expansion, Songs of the Past, being major surprises. Other highlights included new looks at Final Fantasy VII Revelation, Path of Exile 2, and Gears of War: E-Day, alongside reveals for new titles like Nodus Fall and Afterworld. The event also confirmed release dates for several games targeting 2026 and 2027, indicating a strong lineup for the coming years.
Playdate maker Panic is refunding tariff fees to customers
Playdate manufacturer Panic is refunding customers who paid tariff fees during a specific period this year. The company received tariff refunds from the United States government and decided to pass the money back to its customers, citing that it was not their money to keep. This decision contrasts with other companies like Nintendo, which are reportedly keeping their tariff refunds.
'We didn't have layoffs before, and now all of a sudden we have yearly layoffs': Bethesda artist says 'something has changed' under Microsoft
Bethesda artist Alex Nguyen stated that yearly layoffs have become a norm under Microsoft's ownership, contrasting with the studio's past. He highlighted the erosion of institutional knowledge and the impact on long-term commitment among staff. This comes amidst industry-wide concerns about corporate greed and job security, with Microsoft also implementing significant job cuts in its gaming divisions.
Why Local Payment Methods Matter for Global Gaming Companies
Global gaming companies must prioritize local payment methods beyond credit cards to succeed in international markets. Methods like Brazil's Pix and India's UPI are crucial for reaching a significant portion of the population, especially those without credit cards, and ignoring them leads to higher acquisition costs and lost market share. Supporting local currencies and payment preferences is essential for improving conversion rates and achieving true market access.
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4's first beta patch adds a new map and mode, as Infinity Ward responds to complaints…
Infinity Ward has released a beta patch for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 4, introducing a new map called Cachette and a mode named Inflation. The update also addresses player feedback by reducing footstep volume and adjusting gun lethality, with map voting now implemented. Further patches are expected before the beta concludes on August 25.
Weekend PC Download Deals for Aug. 21: The Humble Store Summer Sale continues
This article rounds up various PC game deals available from multiple digital storefronts, including Humble Store, Battle.net, GamesPlanet, Ubisoft Store, Green Man Gaming, Epic Games Store, Amazon Luna, Fanatical, Gamebillet, GOG.com, and Steam. Notable sales include Humble Store's Summer Sale, Battle.net's August Game Deals, and Ubisoft's Gamescom sale, featuring discounts on a wide range of titles.
That limited edition green see-through Xbox Series X reportedly costs as much as a PS5 Pro, and releases on Black Friday
A limited edition green translucent Xbox Series X, celebrating Xbox's 25th anniversary, is reportedly set to release on Black Friday for an estimated $899.99, matching the rumored price of the PlayStation 5 Pro. This special edition console features a see-through case and a matching controller. The article also touches upon recent widespread restructuring within the Xbox division, impacting 1600 employees, and ongoing component shortages affecting hardware pricing.
