Why is the $180bn games industry shedding thousands of staff?
Despite healthy sales, publishers such as Epic Games and Activision Blizzard are making hundreds of employees redundant – which may radically reshape the industry
January 2024
Microsoft lays off 1,900 Activision Blizzard and Xbox staff
TechScape newsletter
TechScape: Cybercrime, AI supremacy and the metaverse – the tech stories that will dominate 2024
November 2023
Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s campaign is a queasy anachronism
Simon Parkin
Uninventive and a little uncomfortable, Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 3’s single-player is little more than a fairground ride – but will its players really care?
October 2023
Pushing Buttons newsletter
Pushing Buttons: What the biggest deal in games history means for Call of Duty, Overwatch and more
After months of legal and regulatory wrangling, the $69bn merger is done – and could change the future of the industry
Microsoft completes $69bn deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard
Completion of sale follows regulator’s decision to allow it after competition concerns were addressed
Business live
JP Morgan CEO warns world may be facing most dangerous time in decades – business live
Jamie Dimon says war in Ukraine compounded by last week’s attacks on Israel may have far-reaching impacts on energy and food markets, global trade, and geopolitical relationships
September 2023
UK set to clear Microsoft’s deal to buy Call of Duty maker Activision Blizzard
The $69bn acquisition is expected to go ahead as revised proposal addresses regulator’s concerns
August 2023
Microsoft submits new Activision Blizzard deal to win over UK regulator
Call of Duty Modern Warfare III ready for action
July 2023
UK’s CMA to hear more views on Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal
Nils Pratley on finance
CMA is in danger of securing pyrrhic victory in Call of Duty battle
Nils Pratley
Microsoft agrees to keep Call of Duty on PlayStation ahead of Activision buy
US agency loses bid to halt Microsoft’s $69bn purchase of Activision Blizzard
Will Microsoft be able to close $69bn deal for Activision Blizzard?
Microsoft may proceed with $69bn Activision Blizzard deal, judge rules
Pushing Buttons newsletter
Pushing Buttons: How much does Call of Duty really make? Inside the court case telling gaming’s secrets
June 2023
Activision Blizzard: US judge blocks takeover by Microsoft until further hearings
US regulators move to block Microsoft’s $69bn Activision Blizzard deal
May 2023
Microsoft appeals against UK watchdog’s veto of Activision Blizzard takeover
CMA says it is defending cloud gaming market, but Microsoft says moves ‘discourages tech innovation and investment’ in UK
