GYGO: Microsoft Seeking FTC’s Permission to Buy Activision Blizzard

Might as well start this Get Your Game on by diving right into the BIG news of last week: Microsoft’s possible acquisition of Activision. The deal, which is pending approval from the Federal Trade Commission, involves a whopping $68.7 billion acquisition offer and would not close until the spring. This, of course, leaves lots of time for the buzz of questions and speculation:

• CNET explores Microsoft’s promise of a culture change
• PC Gamer asks if the deal will make it through regulatory approval protocols
• The Washington Post reports that esports owners and executives are surprised by the move, but optimistic [about the oodles of money they will make]
• Netflix execs suggest that this merger is evidence that a subscription-based model is where it’s at
• Game Rant says that fans are concerned for Microsoft’s reputation
• Vice discusses the “dizzying” consequences should the deal go through
• Sony has issued a statement of expectation regarding contractual obligations when it comes to multi-platform games
• MSBNC expresses concerns about consumer privacy
• Barrons speculates on how this will affect shareholders

Most importantly, word on the street (aka Twitter) is that Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will be out of the picture once the deal goes through. No promises, but history loves to repeat itself…

In other news…

• GamesIndustry.biz: GDC organizer and Informa VP of media and entertainment markets Katie Stern on the 2022 Game Developers Conference and their recent State of the Industry survey.
• Polygon: Quality assurance workers at Raven Software are unionizing with the Communication Workers of America (CWA) as Games Workers of America (GWA). Raven Software and Activision Blizzard have declined to voluntarily recognize the union, and GWA has filed for a NLRB election.

• TechRaptor: Global shipping woes have delayed Magic: Unfinity.
• GamesIndustry.biz: Hazelnut Studios’ It Takes Two claimed six awards at the Arab Games Awards.
• An Interpret survey says that 56% of gamers are interested in NFTs. All responders were part of Interpret’s Good Gaming Group, and only members who had already heard of NFTs at the time of questioning were surveyed. VentureBeat explores the survey results.
• MCV: Super Rare Games announces a new publishing label, Super Rare Originals.

Wendy Browne

Mother, geek, executive assistant sith, gamer, writer, lazy succubus, blogger, bibliophile. Not necessarily in that order. Publisher at WomenWriteAboutComics.com