Activision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard business and news from across the web.
Latest coverage
“Necessary Decisions” Are Being Made to Reset Xbox for Long-Term Growth, Says Microsoft CEO
Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated that "necessary decisions" are being made to reset Xbox for long-term growth, citing a 10 percent revenue decline in the last quarter. The company plans to diversify its business across subscriptions, ads, and digital stores, and expand to new ecosystems. This strategy follows recent layoffs and the divestment of four studios: Compulsion Games, Double Fine Productions, Ninja Theory, and Undead Labs.
EA Handed Its CEO $38.6 Million In The Same Year It Cut Battlefield 6 Staff
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received $38.6 million in compensation during the same fiscal year the company conducted layoffs across its Battlefield development teams. Despite the cuts, EA reported a record net revenue of $7.531 billion, driven by the successful launch of the Battlefield franchise, which reportedly outsold a Call of Duty title released in the same year.
Microsoft (MSFT) Q4 FY26 earnings results beat revenue and EPS expectations
Microsoft exceeded revenue and earnings per share expectations for its fourth fiscal quarter of 2026, reporting $90.0 billion USD in revenue and $4.81 per share. The company highlighted significant growth in its cloud division, with Azure revenue surpassing $100 billion and Microsoft 365 Copilot reaching over 30 million paid seats, driven by AI investments. Despite these successes, the personal computing division, including Windows and Xbox content and services, saw a decline.
After laying off Battlefield 6 developers, EA pays its CEO $38 million because Battlefield 6 did so well
Electronic Arts CEO Andrew Wilson received over $38 million in compensation for the 2026 fiscal year, largely due to the success of Battlefield 6. This comes despite the company laying off developers who worked on the game and other titles. Wilson's compensation ratio to the median employee also increased significantly.
Blizzard's former Battle.net lead is moving his expertise over to the Epic Games Store to 'elevate player,…
Epic Games has appointed Martin Keely as the new VP and General Manager of the Epic Games Store, replacing Steve Allison. Keely previously led Activision Blizzard's Battle.net launcher and is expected to improve the player, creator, and developer experience on the Epic Games Store. This move signals Epic's intent to compete more directly with Steam.
Xbox still not making a profit on console sales despite price rise says report
A report indicates that Microsoft's Xbox Series X/S consoles continue to be sold at a significant loss, even after a recent price increase. Component shortages, particularly for RAM, have driven up costs, with Microsoft reportedly losing around $150 per unit sold. This contrasts with Sony's PlayStation 5, which has been profitable since 2021, and Nintendo's Switch, which traditionally sells hardware at a profit, though it also faces increased costs.
Wizards of the Coast President John Hight steps down
Wizards of the Coast President John Hight has resigned from his position, effective September 1, 2026. His departure follows an announcement of a $56 million impairment charge due to canceled video game projects. Hight will remain with the company as an advisor to Hasbro CEO Chris Cocks.
Taiwanese authorities detain Nvidia employee for alleged attempt to smuggle AI chips into China
An Nvidia employee in Taiwan, identified as 'Chang,' has been detained on suspicion of falsifying documents to export approximately 50 Super Micro servers containing Nvidia AI chips to China. This incident is part of a broader investigation into potential AI chip smuggling routes. Nvidia has stated that smuggling is unacceptable and that all sales comply with US export control rules.
Epic Games just hired former Battle.net head, as studio gears up for "the era of Unreal Engine 6"
Epic Games has hired Martin Keely, former Senior Vice President of Technology and Services for Battle.net at Blizzard Entertainment, as the new Vice President/General Manager for the Epic Games Store and Epic Online services. CEO Tim Sweeney stated this move is part of Epic's preparation for the era of Unreal Engine 6 and the development of an open, interoperable gaming ecosystem across platforms and stores.
Task Bar Hero has normalized real money item auction houses, and Blizzard must be raging
Task Bar Hero, a popular side-scrolling RPG on Steam, features a real money auction house where players can buy and sell in-game items for very low prices. This mechanic draws parallels to Diablo 3's controversial real money auction house, sparking debate within the community. The article questions the normalization of such systems in modern gaming, especially given the game's design that encourages long playtimes and potential pay-to-progress elements.
The Sunday Papers
This article discusses various topics including the game Troubleshooter, analyses of science fiction and fantasy in big tech, and a piece on Scottish novelist Lewis Grassic Gibbon. It also touches on gender dysphoria through the games Stellar Blade and Brush Burial: Gutter World, and reflects on the creation of the game Sir, You Are Being Hunted. Additionally, it explores art history through the lens of Rembrandt van Rijn and the use of oil paint, and mentions the Pervert Jam 2026 game jam.
Videogame villains who sing at you are the best
This article discusses the trend of villains singing in video games, highlighting examples from various titles like Middle-earth: Shadow of War, Hades II, and Baldur's Gate 3. It argues that unexpected musical numbers from antagonists can be more engaging than traditional monologues, making them memorable and impactful.
Saudi Arabia's takeover of EA gets approval from European Commission
The European Commission has approved Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund's proposed $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, stating it will not raise competition concerns within the EU. While this hurdle is cleared, the deal still faces scrutiny from US lawmakers and developers concerned about the takeover's implications.
PlayStation is risking a $7.2 billion used games market by ending disc production, analysts say: "Brick and mortar…
Analysts predict that PlayStation's move away from physical discs by 2028 could significantly shrink the $7.2 billion used games market. Experts suggest this shift to digital-only will reduce overall game purchasing opportunities, impacting both new and resale markets, and potentially forcing consumers into digital alternatives without choice.
Regulators clear the path: Saudi Arabia’s $55B takeover of EA loses its final barrier
Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund has received approval from the European Commission for its $55 billion acquisition of Electronic Arts, removing a major regulatory hurdle. The deal, which is the second-largest in video game history, has been cleared without competition concerns. This move is part of Saudi Arabia's broader strategy to diversify its economy and increase its presence in the global gaming market.
The Elder Scrolls 6 development roadmap is unaffected by Xbox's mass layoffs, Bethesda says, despite devs'…
Bethesda Game Studios has stated that the development roadmap for The Elder Scrolls 6 remains unaffected by recent mass layoffs across Xbox Game Studios and its subsidiaries. Despite concerns from some developers and reports of potential delays and increased reliance on contractors, Bethesda assures that production is proceeding as planned. The company also mentioned that Starfield has been released and they are now focusing on the next installment in The Elder Scrolls series.
Games Inbox: Is buying second-hand video games going to end?
Readers discuss the potential end of second-hand physical game sales due to the increasing prevalence of digital distribution. Concerns are raised about the loss of ownership and the impact on retailers like CeX. The convenience of digital is acknowledged as a major factor driving this shift, with some lamenting the decline of physical media.
Blizzard is investigating a World of Warcraft cheating scandal after game master 'death-touched' bosses for friends without realizing it was being recorded
Blizzard Entertainment is investigating a cheating scandal in World of Warcraft after a game master allegedly used special abilities to instantly kill bosses for friends. The incident was reportedly recorded and shared online, leading to community outcry. Blizzard has acknowledged the situation and stated that appropriate action will be taken.
Microsoft launches Xbox backward compatibility for PC
Microsoft has begun rolling out Xbox backward compatibility for PC, starting with four classic titles: BliNX: The Time Sweeper, Conker: Live and Reloaded, Crimson Skies: High Road to Revenge, and Fusion Frenzy. These games support up to 4x resolution upscaling and enhanced graphics settings, with plans to add features like achievements in the future. This initiative is part of a broader effort to preserve Xbox games and bring them to PC, occurring amidst industry-wide discussions on game preservation and recent layoffs within Microsoft's gaming division.
The History of Game Pass: How the Service Became Xbox’s Greatest Weapon
Introduced in 2017, Xbox Game Pass has evolved from a niche subscription service into a cornerstone of Microsoft's gaming strategy. By offering a vast library of games for a monthly fee, including all first-party titles at launch, it significantly lowered the barrier to entry and encouraged game discovery. Acquisitions of major studios like Bethesda and Activision Blizzard further bolstered its content, while cloud gaming expanded accessibility across devices. Despite challenges like licensing and profitability, Game Pass remains a key competitive advantage for Xbox, shaping the future of game distribution and player engagement.
