Connect with us

Gaming

As CMA Approves Deal Changes, Microsoft Nears Activision Buyout

blank

Published

on

blank

UK’s Competition and Markets Authority is closer than ever to approving Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard King. Due to a proposal change that would give Ubisoft cloud streaming rights to Activision’s games, the CMA appears to have changed its mind.

One of Microsoft’s biggest challenges in completing its purchase was the government. The CMA blocked the initial deal due to cloud gaming monopoly concerns. Microsoft has struggled with the UK for months, even though most other countries approved the deal. The CMA’s main concern was alleviated by the proposal change.

The revised deal addresses the CMA’s main concern by giving Ubisoft the rights to cloud stream Activision’s software catalogue and the next 15 years of its games, according to a UK government press release. “The prior sale of the cloud gaming rights will establish Ubisoft as a key supplier of content to cloud gaming services, replicating Activision’s independent market role,” the statement says.

Ubisoft will distribute Activision’s cloud streaming games impartially, rather than Microsoft. “The CMA considers that the restructured deal makes important changes that substantially address the concerns it set out in relation to the original transaction earlier this year,” its statement says.

blank

Microsoft isn’t clear yet. Still, the CMA worried that “certain provisions in the sale of Activision’s cloud streaming rights to Ubisoft could be circumvented, terminated, or not enforced”. As a result, Microsoft “offered remedies to ensure that the terms of the sale of Activision’s rights to Ubisoft are enforceable by the CMA”.

Two consultations have begun by the CMA, one to test the remedies for its last few concerns and another to decide whether to approve the deal. Both have a 6 October 2023 deadline.

Still, the acquisition appears to be closer than ever to completion. We’ll see what the CMA decides in two weeks, but we’re close to never writing about this again.

As Editor here at GeekReply, I'm a big fan of all things Geeky. Most of my contributions to the site are technology related, but I'm also a big fan of video games. My genres of choice include RPGs, MMOs, Grand Strategy, and Simulation. If I'm not chasing after the latest gear on my MMO of choice, I'm here at GeekReply reporting on the latest in Geek culture.

Gaming

As Disney Speedstorm Ends, Arendelle Hits PS5, PS4

blank

Published

on

blank

Disney Speedstorm, Gameloft’s free-to-play kart racer, will enter its latest season with a wintery backdrop of Arendelle. Let It Go will add Anna, Elsa, Olaf, Kristoff, and Hans as racers. As always, they’ll have unique moves and abilities.

Oaken and other musical movie crew members will be unlocked, along with a new Golden Pass. After fan feedback, the developer is rebalancing this aspect of the release so you can progress faster and unlock more rewards.

The developer also announced on Twitter that it’s lowering in-game shop prices starting today, and if you’ve paid for microtransactions, you’ll get a big payout. The French studio appears to be betting on this season’s success.

Adding non-Frozen characters Oswald, Ortensia, and WALL-E could also help. A comprehensive game update should bring back lapsed players and attract new ones. Will you challenge the kart racer?

Continue Reading

Gaming

New Destiny 2 Microtransaction Is Bad Bungie Removed It from PS5, PS4

blank

Published

on

blank

Bungie has pulled a contentious $15 starter pack from Season of the Wish, which launched yesterday. The pack had a poor selection and was marketed to new players, which the community strongly opposed.

The starter pack proudly stated that players could “experience the power of build-defining Exotic weapons by instantly unlocking three of Destiny 2’s finest: Traveler’s Chosen, Ruinous Effigy, and Sleeper Simulant.” An exotic ship, a sparrow, a ghost shell, 125,000 glimmer, 50 enhancement cores, five enhancement prisms, and one ascendant shard are also included.

This offering may seem harmless to a new player, but Forbes’ Paul Tassi says, “You sort of have to be a Destiny 2 player to understand what an outrageously bad deal this is.” The Forsaken Pack, another Bungie release, includes two dozen Exotics, a dungeon, and a raid. It cost $20 and is now $5. It looks bad, from what we can tell.

Guardians retaliated with negative Steam reviews. They orchestrated the DLC page to include “Capitalism,” “Crime,” and “Psychological Horror” user tags, which is funny.

blank

After Bungie pulled the pack, Redditor Grizz3d summarized the community response: “I don’t get how that starter pack was approved. What part of stealing from new players wasn’t going to result in community outrage? Bungie’s disconnect with players is shocking. I’m glad you got rid of the pack, but it’s disappointing that Bungie thought it was a good idea.”

This follows the Witcher 3 crossover armour sets, which look great but are expensive. Sony’s independent live service outpost is in danger due to a delayed expansion and studio layoffs.

Continue Reading

Gaming

PlayStation planted over 500,000 trees last year

blank

Published

on

blank

Sony announced last year that it would plant trees for Horizon Forbidden West PlayStation fans who unlocked a simple trophy in the open-world game. This, in partnership with several charities, sought to protect the global environment and biodiversity.

Over a year later, it released a trailer showing its progress. The company has planted 600,000 trees worldwide, restoring 1,800 acres. More importantly, the gaming industry has planted 2.5 million trees worldwide.

Gaming is fun, but we must protect our world. Sony has taken steps to be more environmentally friendly, such as adding energy-saving features to the PS5 and shipping all its products in fully recyclable packaging.

 

Continue Reading

Trending