FTC appeals judge’s ruling on Microsoft-Activision deal

The U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said it is challenging a judge’s approval of Microsoft’s USD 69 billion Activision Blizzard deal. Microsoft vowed to fight back and said the FTC had a weak case. The judge had dismissed the FTC’s claim that the deal would hurt consumers by giving Microsoft exclusive access to popular games like Call of Duty. The FTC could ask the appeals court to halt the deal by Friday. 

Meanwhile, Britain’s Competition and Markets Authority said a revised deal could ease its worries, pending a new probe. 

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A 'Call of Duty' board game is coming in 2024

Activision has partnered with board game publisher Arcane Wonders, Genuine Entertainment, and Evolution to make a board game version of Call of Duty. The board game is said to feature a fast-paced blend of combat, strategy, and tactical planning. The trailer doesn't give us a clue about the gameplay. But we know that you and your fellow players will take on the guise of soldiers. You'll battle opponents with combat skills and different weapons. There will be various scenarios and gameplay modes, and the action will happen in different maps from the Call of Duty games.

More details will be revealed in the coming months. And the pre-orders for Call of Duty: The Board Game will start this fall.

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Blizzard plans to bring 'Warcraft' to mobile

Source: Blizzard Entertainment

You can expect a Warcraft game to hit mobile this year. Activision announced in a quarterly earnings news release that Blizzard Entertainment is planning to launch a Warcraft title on mobile devices in 2022. There isn't much known beyond the developer working on "substantial new content for the Warcraft franchise in 2022," including "all-new mobile Warcraft content." That also means "new experiences" for World of Warcraft and its only mobile title Hearthstone.

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Vicarious Visions merges into Blizzard, reportedly working on 'Diablo 2' remake

Source: Activision

On Friday, game publisher Activision announced it was merging one of its oldest support studios into Blizzard. Vicarious Visions 200-member team all now work for Blizzard, where they will be "fully dedicated to existing Blizzard games and initiatives." The studio has worked on titles like Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2 and Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy remasters. The company will still be working out of Albany, New York. 

One project the former studio will be working on is the remaster of Diablo 2, which is being called Diablo 2: Resurrected. That team is also expected to assist with Blizzard projects like World of Warcraft and Overwatch.

Source: Engadget + IGN