Activision Archives

AppWizard

May 22, 2025

Xbox Launches Retro Classics Collection With 50+ Activision Titles; PC App Adds Game Assist, GeForce Now Support

Xbox and Antstream Arcade have launched Retro Classics, a collection of over 50 Activision titles from the ’80s and ’90s, available to Xbox Game Pass members worldwide. Notable games in the collection include Commando, Grand Prix, Kaboom!, Mech Warrior 2: 31st Century Combat, and Pitfall!, accessible on consoles, PCs, and cloud gaming devices. The collection features modern enhancements like cloud saves, achievement support, and gameplay pause/resume options, with plans to expand to over 100 titles from Activision and Blizzard in the future. Additionally, Xbox has introduced updates for PC gaming, including a revamped Game Bar with Quick Settings, an upcoming Microsoft Edge Game Assist for in-game browsing, and GeForce Now streaming integration for the Xbox app. The Xbox Rewards program has also been updated, allowing players to redeem points for customizable gift cards for various purchases.

AppWizard

May 9, 2025

US court throws out FTC appeal against Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard

The Ninth Circuit US Court of Appeals ruled that the Federal Trade Commission (FTC) did not sufficiently prove that Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard would restrict the availability of the Call of Duty franchise on competing platforms. The court upheld a previous ruling that blocked the FTC's attempt to halt the merger, stating that the FTC's case lacked adequate evidentiary support and did not raise substantial questions about reduced competition. The merger, initially announced in 2022, received approval in 2023, allowing Microsoft to integrate Activision Blizzard into its portfolio.

AppWizard

May 6, 2025

Xbox Games The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5 Top Sony’s PS5 Sales Charts

Microsoft's multiplatform gaming strategy is showing strong results, with its titles dominating sales charts on the PlayStation Store in April 2025. In the U.S. and Canada, Microsoft games such as The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered, Minecraft, and Forza Horizon 5 occupied the top three positions in the non-free-to-play download chart for PS5. Europe also saw success with Forza Horizon 5 leading, followed by The Elder Scrolls IV: Oblivion Remastered and Minecraft. Clair Obscur: Expedition 33, launched on Game Pass, also appeared on both charts, alongside other Microsoft-owned titles like Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 and Indiana Jones and the Great Circle. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, emphasized that this strategy is a calculated business move to enhance revenue, especially following the acquisition of Activision Blizzard. Discussions about transitioning Halo to other platforms have been ongoing, reflecting on the financial implications of exclusivity. While there may be pushback from Xbox fans regarding the dilution of brand identity, the focus remains on aligning with long-term business goals and evolving with the gaming audience.

AppWizard

April 30, 2025

ZeniMax union expresses frustration at parent company Microsoft

Staff at ZeniMax Media are frustrated with delays in negotiations with Microsoft, as they have not secured a union contract nearly two years after forming the ZeniMax Workers United bargaining unit. This situation follows a labor neutrality agreement between Microsoft and the Communications Workers of America (CWA) made almost three years ago. Employees, including senior QA tester Autumn Mitchell, express dissatisfaction with Microsoft's public image versus their experiences during negotiations. CWA chief of staff Sylvia J. Ramos emphasizes the need for Microsoft to prioritize contract negotiations. A Microsoft representative stated the company's commitment to reaching a fair resolution.

AppWizard

April 24, 2025

Discord replaces CEO Citron with Activision vet Sakhnini

Jason Citron, the CEO and co-founder of Discord, is stepping down from his leadership role, with Humam Sakhnini, the former chief strategy officer at Activision Blizzard’s Call of Duty, taking over. Citron will remain involved as a board member and advisor. This leadership change is part of Discord's strategic plans to eventually go public. Sakhnini expressed enthusiasm about joining Discord and emphasized the platform's importance in the gaming community.

AppWizard

April 8, 2025

CHARTS: Schedule 1 drops to No.2 in second week

The latest weekly sales figures from Steam show that Counter-Strike 2 is the highest grossing game, followed by Schedule 1 in second place, REPO in third, and Steam Deck in fourth. InZoi has dropped to fifth place despite surpassing one million sales. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered debuted at sixth, Monster Hunter Wilds rose to seventh, Call of Duty returned to the Top Ten, Dead by Daylight is in ninth, and Split Fiction is in tenth. The Steam Top Ten for the week ending April 8th includes: 1. Counter-Strike 2, Valve 2. Schedule 1, TVGS 3. REPO, Semiwork 4. Steam Deck, Valve 5. InZoi, Krafton 6. The Last of Us Part 2 Remastered, PlayStation 7. Monster Hunter Wilds, Capcom 8. Call of Duty, Activision 9. Dead by Daylight, Behaviour 10. Split Fiction, EA

AppWizard

April 2, 2025

Call of Duty will finally let console players turn off crossplay to dodge PC cheaters, which is potentially terrible news for all the legit PC players

Activision will allow players to disable crossplay in regular unranked matches with the launch of Black Ops 6 Season 3 on April 2. Previously, crossplay limitations were only available in ranked modes. The new options will include enabling matchmaking with all platforms, with consoles only, or restricting to the current platform. This decision addresses concerns about cheating, which predominantly affects PC players, but 60% of reported cheaters are on console. Reactions to the change are mixed, with some players worried about potential impacts on queue times for PC gamers, while others suggest it may not significantly affect matchmaking. Some players also expressed a desire for more tailored matchmaking options.

AppWizard

March 28, 2025

Activision user research workers form union

Activision's user research division staff voted to form a union, named the Activision User Research Union-CWA, with a supermajority in favor of unionization. Microsoft has recognized the union as part of its labor neutrality agreement with the Communication Workers of America (CWA). The motivation for unionization was influenced by anticipated layoffs in 2023 and 2024. CWA Local 9400 president Maurice Washington emphasized the need for a protected voice for workers and expressed pride in welcoming the new members into the CWA. This development follows the establishment of the United Videogame Workers-CWA, reflecting a trend of unionization in the gaming industry.

AppWizard

March 27, 2025

Best free-to-play action games on PS5, PC and Xbox Series X/S | Esports News – The Times of India

Fortnite, Call of Duty: Warzone 2, Warframe, Apex Legends, and Destiny 2 are five free-to-play games available on PS5, Xbox Series X/S, and PC. 1. Fortnite: - Publisher: Epic Games - Features: Fast-paced gunfights, building mechanics, collaborations with pop culture icons, no-build mode, accessible battle royale and creative modes. 2. Call of Duty: Warzone 2: - Publisher: Activision - Features: Immersive battle royale experience, expansive open-world environments, tactical squad play, vehicle combat, extensive maps, diverse weapons, Gulag 2.0, crossplay capabilities. 3. Warframe: - Publisher: Digital Extremes - Features: Sci-fi gameplay, parkour mechanics, melee combat, over 50 unique Warframes, engaging PvE gameplay, abundant loot. 4. Apex Legends: - Publisher: Electronic Arts (EA) - Features: Battle royale and hero shooter elements, unique Legends with special abilities, fast-paced matches, fluid movement mechanics. 5. Destiny 2: - Publisher: Bungie - Features: Shooter and MMORPG elements, role of a Guardian, stunning visuals, solo quests, team raids, competitive PvP battles, deep storyline, variety of gameplay modes.

BetaBeacon

March 27, 2025

Android Gaming: The Best Mobile Games and Accessories in 2025

Android gaming has evolved significantly in 2025, offering console-level titles, powerful chipsets, and higher refresh rate screens.