Activision

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Judge Rejects FTC Move to Halt $69B Microsoft-Activision Deal

With clock ticking to get the deal closed, court hands Microsoft a major victory

(Newser) - A federal judge has handed Microsoft a major victory by declining to block its looming $69 billion takeover of video game company Activision Blizzard. US District Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley said in a ruling that the Federal Trade Commission "has not shown a likelihood it will prevail on its...

FTC Sues to Block Microsoft's $69B Activision Takeover
FTC Sues to Block
Massive Tech Deal
Jun 12, 2023 5:11 PM CDT

FTC Sues to Block Massive Tech Deal

Agency seeks injunction to stop Microsoft's $69B Activision takeover

(Newser) - The Federal Trade Commission has sued to block Microsoft from completing its deal to buy video game company Activision Blizzard, the latest antitrust challenge to the proposed merger but one that could hasten its conclusion. The FTC's Monday filing in a federal court in San Francisco seeks a restraining...

UK Just Nixed the Biggest Tech Deal in History

Microsoft's $69B attempt to buy video game maker Activision scuttled over fears of stifling competition

(Newser) - British regulators have blocked Microsoft's $69 billion deal to buy video game maker Activision Blizzard over worries that it would stifle competition in the cloud gaming market. The UK's Competition and Markets Authority said in its final report Wednesday that "the only effective remedy" to the significant...

Activision Blizzard Employees Walk Out After Damning Report

CEO Bobby Kotick allegedly knew about sexual misconduct allegations for years

(Newser) - Activision Blizzard employees staged a walk-out Tuesday after a damning report about the videogame company's CEO came out. Robert "Bobby" Kotick knew about allegations of sexual misconduct at the company for years and tried to keep things hush-hush, sources tell the Wall Street Journal . Since the lawsuit filed...

Game Developer Was Attacked Mercilessly, Turns Merciful

Brianna Wu, a prime target of GamerGate, speaks out about forgiveness

(Newser) - As a female game developer who spoke out publicly against sexism in the industry a few years back, Brianna Wu received torrents—and we mean torrents—of threats and abuse online. Now the Washington Post reports that Wu is forcing a different kind of conversation, one about forgiving the trolls...

Video Game Developer Faces Mutiny Over Lawsuit Response

2K sign letter demanding Activision Blizzard seriously evaluate harassment claims

(Newser) - More than 2,000 current and former Activision Blizzard employees have signed a letter to management saying its response to a lawsuit alleging widespread sexual harassment and discrimination is "abhorrent and insulting." A week-old complaint filed by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing following a two-year...

State Sues Video Game Giant Over 'Frat Boy' Culture

Women faced relentless sexual harassment at Activision Blizzard, suit states

(Newser) - According to a lawsuit from labor regulators in California, video game giant Activision Blizzard is a great place to work—for sexist men. The lawsuit accuses the Call of Duty and World of Warcraft maker of fostering "a pervasive 'frat boy' workplace culture that continues to thrive,"...

Candy Crush Maker Bought for $5.9B

Activision says deal will give boost to mobile games

(Newser) - The US video game maker that brought you "Call of Duty/" and "World of Warcraft" says it will buy the maker of "Candy Crush" for $5.9 billion in what the Guardian calls "the biggest takeover of a UK tech company in four years." Activision...

Activision Axes Guitar Hero
 Activision Axes Guitar Hero  
Feb 10, 2011 2:59 AM CST

Activision Axes Guitar Hero

Gig is over for former hit game

(Newser) - Activision's former smash hit has gone from hero to zero. The company says Guitar Hero—which earned it more than $1 billion just 2 years ago—is being discontinued. Members of the Guitar Hero team will be among some 500 Activision employees to be laid off, the Los Angeles Times...

Guitar Hero 5 Uses Cobain's Image Illegally: Love

Nirvana frontman's widow threatens to sue Activision

(Newser) - Kurt Cobain's widow, Courtney Love, says she plans to sue Activision for allegedly including the Nirvana frontman’s image in its Guitar Hero 5 without permission, MTV reports. “For the record this Guitar Hero shit is breach of contract on a Bullys part and there will be a proper...

Guitar Hero Spin-Off Lands Jay-Z, Eminem

(Newser) - Two of the biggest names in rap are on board with Guitar Hero’s latest spin-off, USA Today reports. When DJ Hero launches this fall, its celebrity lineup will include Jay-Z and Eminem. Both are working with manufacturer Activision and developer FreeStyleGames to finalize their playlists. “I have a...

Pumpkins' Single to Debut on Guitar Hero

Bands seeking new ways to market music in tougher market

(Newser) - The Smashing Pumpkins will release their next single, G.L.O.W., as a download for the video game Guitar Hero: World Tour, reports the  ChicagoTribune. Band front man Billy Corgan will also appear within the new version of the popular game, which is due out in a few weeks....

Gibson Sues Over Guitar Hero
 Gibson Sues Over Guitar Hero 
Mar 21, 2008 1:00 PM CDT

Gibson Sues Over Guitar Hero

It wants retailers to stop selling game, claims patent infringement

(Newser) - Gibson Guitar has sued Guitar Hero retailers, saying the Activision video games infringe on a patent it holds for a virtual-reality concert. The federal suit seeks to stop Wal-Mart, Target, Kmart, Amazon, GameStop, and Toys "R" Us from selling the games, reports AP. But Activision is fighting back—earlier...

Activision Earnings Rocket 90%
Activision Earnings Rocket  90%
Feb 8, 2008 11:18 AM CST

Activision Earnings Rocket 90%

Video games 'Guitar Hero' and 'Call of Duty 4' drive company's growth

(Newser) - Gamers who love Activision for Call of Duty and Guitar Hero have some company on Wall Street today after the company reported a 90% earnings surge and an 80% bump in sales for the quarter ending Dec. 31, reports MarketWatch. The company reported net income of $272.2 million, up...

Vivendi to Buy Activision
Vivendi to Buy Activision
Dec 2, 2007 2:49 PM CST

Vivendi to Buy Activision

Get ready for World of Tony Hawk's Pro Guitar Warcraft

(Newser) - Vivendi, producer of mega-hit World of Warcraft, today announced plans to merge operations with Activision, forming an independent video game behemoth to rival EA. Vivendi will buy 52% of Activision for $1.7 billion and $27.50 per share, the Times reports, a premium on Friday’s $22.15 closing...

New 'Call of Duty' Offers Players Modern Combat

Video game set to conquer the competition

(Newser) - "Call of Duty 4: Modern Combat," released this week, takes players on the missions of elite modern fighters like the US Marines or British SAS, a departure for a video game series that previously focused exclusively on WWII. The game is set to be this holiday season's biggest...

Activision Profits Powered by Guitar Hero

2Q results foreshadow billions in future revenue from game

(Newser) - Activision turned a $24.3 million loss into a slender quarterly profit of $698,000 in just one year—thanks to its blockbuster musical simulation Guitar Hero. The video game is expected to produce revenue in the billions, the Wall Street Journal reports. Guitar Hero III was launched October 28—...

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