acquisitions Archives

AppWizard

November 21, 2025

Watch: Activision Blizzard nearly bought Minecraft before Microsoft

Developers are unveiling upcoming gaming titles, showcasing innovative gameplay mechanics, stunning graphics, and engaging narratives. Reviews provide expert critiques on gameplay, storytelling, and overall enjoyment, influencing player perceptions and purchasing decisions. The Nintendo Switch 2 is anticipated to enhance portable gaming with improved graphics, battery life, and a broader library of titles. The news section updates on industry developments, highlighting major acquisitions and technological advancements. Trailers serve as marketing tools, offering cinematic glimpses into upcoming titles and fostering community discussions among gamers.

Winsage

November 21, 2025

Microsoft at 40: Four Decades of Innovation and a Tech Legacy That Shaped the World

Microsoft was founded in 1975 by Bill Gates and Paul Allen in Albuquerque. It launched its first operating system, which led to the development of the Windows platform, becoming synonymous with personal computing in the 1990s and early 2000s. Microsoft Office established itself as the global standard for productivity. Under Satya Nadella's leadership, the company has focused on cloud computing and AI, with Azure becoming a significant cloud platform. Microsoft has made strategic acquisitions, including LinkedIn, GitHub, Mojang, and Activision Blizzard, transitioning to a diversified technology ecosystem.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Minecraft was nearly sold to Activision Blizzard for $1.5 billion before Microsoft secured Mojang, says former CEO Bobby Kotick: “I almost bought it”

Bobby Kotick, former CEO of Activision Blizzard, revealed in a podcast that Activision Blizzard had considered acquiring Mojang and its game Minecraft before Microsoft ultimately purchased it for .5 billion in 2014. Kotick made a formal offer for Mojang but found the price to be a significant hurdle. Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, successfully completed the acquisition, and Minecraft has thrived under Microsoft's management. In 2023, Microsoft merged with Activision Blizzard, creating a connection between the two companies and linking Minecraft's legacy to Activision Blizzard. Kotick is leaving Activision Blizzard after a 32-year tenure.

AppWizard

November 19, 2025

Meta Learns That Nothing Is a Monopoly If You Just Wait Long Enough

Judge James Boasberg ruled that Meta, the parent company of Facebook, Instagram, and WhatsApp, does not have an illegal monopoly in the social media market. The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) failed to prove that Meta currently holds monopoly power, despite its past dominance. The emergence of competitors like TikTok and YouTube has created significant competition for Meta. The judge noted that consumers are increasingly spending time on these alternative platforms, which contributes to Meta's need to invest heavily to stay relevant. This ruling is part of a broader trend among major tech companies successfully navigating antitrust challenges in rapidly changing markets.

AppWizard

November 15, 2025

Xbox Game Studios & Activision Are Finally Teaming Up With ‘Minecraft Blast’

Microsoft's Xbox Game Studio Mojang is collaborating with Activision's King team to develop a mobile game called Minecraft Blast. This marks the first direct partnership between the two studios under Microsoft. The game will feature free-to-play modern match puzzle gameplay and allow players to unlock and build Minecraft-style spaces. Initial testing will begin on the Apple App Store, with plans to expand to more mobile platforms in the future.

AppWizard

October 30, 2025

CWA president urges regulators scrutinise EA Saudi deal

Claude Cummings Jr., president of the Communications Workers of America (CWA) union, has requested a thorough investigation by the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) and the Committee on Foreign Investment in the United States (CFIUS) regarding the proposed acquisition of Electronic Arts (EA) by a consortium of investors primarily funded by Saudi Arabia. He expressed concerns about job security for thousands in the gaming industry and the potential impact on market dynamics, urging regulators to evaluate how the acquisition could affect EA's market power and wage-setting authority. The acquisition would transition EA to private ownership under investors including the Saudi Public Investment Fund. The CWA previously supported the acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft after negotiating a labor neutrality agreement.

Tech Optimizer

October 29, 2025

Inside the race to build agent-native databases

A disconnect has been identified between traditional databases and the requirements of AI agents, prompting a rethinking of database architecture. Four initiatives are redefining databases for AI: 1. **AgentDB** treats databases as lightweight, disposable artifacts, allowing agents to create and discard databases easily for single tasks, catering to simple AI applications and temporary data processing needs. It is not suitable for complex transactional systems. 2. **Postgres for Agents** enhances PostgreSQL with features like zero-copy forking, enabling secure testing and experimentation without affecting live systems. It targets developers building AI applications and offers a cloud service with a free tier. 3. **Databricks Lakebase** integrates transactional capabilities within a data lakehouse architecture, providing seamless access to real-time operational data and historical insights for AI agents. It aims to unify data workloads and reduce the complexity of maintaining separate databases. 4. **Bauplan Labs** focuses on safety and reliability, developing a "programmable lakehouse" with a "Git-for-data" model that ensures verifiable and auditable data operations for AI agents. It targets high-stakes scenarios where mistakes could have significant repercussions. These initiatives reflect a broader trend of reshaping databases to cater to machines, emphasizing ephemeral, isolated, and context-aware systems.

AppWizard

October 26, 2025

China’s ByteDance reportedly building a Steam competitor — ‘GameTop’ for overseas markets will distribute and publish games like any other store, while harboring a social space with AI-assisted creator tools

Steam's dominance in the PC gaming market is being challenged by new platforms, including the upcoming "GameTop," a gaming marketplace being developed by ByteDance, the parent company of TikTok. GameTop is aimed at overseas markets and is part of ByteDance's strategy to enhance its gaming division under new leadership. The initiative follows a shift from aggressive expansion to a focus on operational efficiency. There is an existing app named GameTop on the Google Play Store, which is unrelated to ByteDance. ByteDance has made progress in the Chinese gaming sector and is attempting to expand internationally, though it currently does not compete with Tencent, which has a significant stake in Epic Games.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

Five beloved Android apps we loved and then lost

This year, several essential Android applications have been abruptly retired, creating a significant void for users. Pocket, originally launched as Read It Later and acquired by Mozilla, was a popular tool for saving articles but has now shut down, leaving users without a true replacement. Omnivore, an open-source read-it-later tool favored by academics, lost its original vision after being acquired by ElevenLabs, which shifted its focus to AI-enhanced reading. Syncthing's official Android app was withdrawn due to non-compliance with app store policies, despite the technology's capabilities. Kiwi Browser, known for allowing desktop-style Chrome extensions on Android, was archived to develop an extension store for Microsoft Edge, losing its independent essence. Nova Launcher, a highly customizable home screen application, ceased updates after its acquisition by Branch, disappointing its dedicated user community. The losses of these applications highlight the challenges faced by smaller teams in maintaining their products amidst changing regulations and corporate acquisitions.

AppWizard

October 17, 2025

BD CFO Chris DelOrefice leaving for new job

Chief Financial Officer Chris DelOrefice will leave BD on December 5 to become CFO at Ulta Beauty. He announced his resignation on October 9, and the company is seeking a permanent successor. Vitor Roque will serve as interim CFO following DelOrefice's departure. BD's preliminary fourth-quarter revenue is approximately .9 billion, an 8.3% increase year over year, while fiscal year 2025 revenue is about .8 billion, marking an 8.2% rise. Analysts described the fourth-quarter results as disappointing, citing a significant impact from the macro environment. BD plans to separate its biosciences and diagnostics business and will discuss earnings on November 6.