Latest news with #ActivisionBlizzard
New York Times
a day ago
- Business
- New York Times
Videogame Union Reaches Deal on Industry-First Contract at Microsoft
A union representing 300 video game workers at Microsoft said on Friday it had reached a tentative agreement with the tech company on the terms of the first union contract in the gaming industry. The Communications Workers of America, which represents the workers, announced the contract covering quality assurance employees at ZeniMax. The gaming publisher, which Microsoft bought for $7.5 billion in a deal that closed in 2021, makes blockbuster titles including The Elder Scrolls, Fallout and Doom. The agreement includes a 13.5 percent wage increase for all workers and institutes new minimum pay for each category of jobs, the union said. Employees in the gaming industry — particularly those who work long hours in quality assurance, testing games for bugs and other glitches — have been working for several years to organize over their pay and conditions. Microsoft makes the Xbox gaming platform and has acquired a number of gaming companies, which have become one of its most important consumer businesses generating $23 billion in revenue in the past four quarters. Tech companies have typically resisted unionization. But in its 2022 acquisition of the video game maker Activision Blizzard, Microsoft agreed not to oppose union organizing as part of its campaign to gain antitrust approval for the deal. That acquisition closed for almost $70 billion in 2023, and hundreds of workers there formed a union, although they have yet to come to a contract agreement. Employees at three ZeniMax locations also formed a union in 2023, called ZeniMax Workers United-CWA, in a vote that avoided a conventional union election run by the National Labor Relations Board. The union then began negotiating with Microsoft. Beth Allen, a spokeswoman for the Communications Workers of America, said the lowest paid workers in the union at ZeniMax earn $20.75 an hour. That would jump to $25 an hour upon ratification of the new contract by union members, a vote expected by June 20. On July 1, an across-the-board wage increase will bring up that pay to $28.38 an hour. 'We appreciate the dedication and engagement of the ZeniMax QA team and the bargaining committee throughout this process,' Amy Pannoni, a vice president at Microsoft, said in a statement. 'The tentative agreement represents a meaningful step forward and reflects a shared commitment to constructive dialogue and a common goal of fostering a positive workplace.' The tentative agreement also incorporates a novel provision announced in late 2023 on the use of artificial intelligence, which is expected to upend some industries by replacing or assisting workers. ZeniMax committed to informing the union when its plans to use A.I. could affect workers, and 'to bargain those impacts upon request,' the union said.
CNET
a day ago
- Business
- CNET
Have an Xbox? You Can Play Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 for Free This Weekend
Call of Duty is one of the largest franchises in gaming, and Black Ops 6 is the first entry in the popular shooter franchise that publisher Activision Blizzard released after being bought by Microsoft in 2023. While Game Pass Ultimate and PC Game Pass subscribers can already play Black Ops 6 as part of their memberships, Microsoft is making the multiplayer and zombie game modes of the game free to play for all Xbox gamers this weekend as part of Xbox Free Play Days. So, whether you subscribe to Xbox Game Pass Core or aren't a Game Pass member, you can get in on the fun. Microsoft is also making a few other games, like Football Manager 2024, available to all Game Pass subscribers this weekend. Game Pass offers subscribers a large and constantly expanding library of games. There are four Game Pass tiers you can choose from -- starting at $10 a month -- and each gives subscribers access to certain games and other perks. During Xbox Free Play Days, Core, Standard and Ultimate subscribers can play certain games from outside their subscription at no additional charge. This weekend, Microsoft is making Tom Clancy's The Division 2 and specific game modes in Black Ops 6 playable for all gamers, whether they have a Game Pass subscription or not. Here are the games that both Game Pass and non-Game Pass subscribers can play this weekend. You can also check out other games Microsoft brought to Game Pass recently, like Doom: The Dark Ages. These games are free for everyone, even non-Game Pass members Call of Duty: Black Ops 6 (Multiplayer and Zombies modes only) From now until June 3, you can experience fast-paced multiplayer matches or take on zombie hordes in Black Ops 6. This game's multiplayer mode features a new mechanic called omnimovement, which lets you sprint, dive and slide in any direction. In previous games, you could only sprint forward. This makes matches more frantic and fast-paced, and the mechanics make me feel like John Wick when I pull off a string of kills without interruption. Once you've slid around corners and taken out the enemy team, you can join them and take out countless zombies in the Zombies game mode. This also marks the return of round-based zombies in the expansive maps Terminus and Liberty Falls. And with new ammo mods and GobbleGum upgrades, you and your team will be mowing down zombies all day. Everyone can play this game for free until June 3. Tom Clancy's The Division 2 This RPG shooter begins a few months after the events of the original game when chaos has engulfed Washington, DC. Enemy factions have overrun the city's streets, and settlements of citizens are threatened by new enemies. It's up to you to help liberate the city. Everyone can play this game for free until June 3. These games are available to all Game Pass Subscribers Ark: Survival Ascended In this action-adventure survival game, your character wakes up on an island filled with dinosaurs. This isn't Jurassic Park. Instead, there are tribes of humans who tame, breed and use the creatures like farm animals. If you ever wanted to ride a T. rex into battle, now's your chance. All Game Pass subscribers can play this game at no additional cost until June 1. Killer Klowns From Outer Space: The Game Game Pass subscribers can play a game based on the decades-old cult classic film Killer Klowns From Outer Space this weekend. This asymmetrical multiplayer horror game has you play as one of three Killer Klowns or try and stop the invaders as one of seven citizens of the town of Crescent Cove. The 3v7 gameplay makes for some interesting matches; while the humans have more people to defend the town, the klowns have better zany weapons and otherworldly abilities. It's sure to be a killer good time. All Game Pass subscribers can play this game at no additional cost until June 1. Football Manager 2024 Console If you have ever wanted to manage your own football club -- read, soccer team -- then now's your chance. This game lets you set up training regimens, sign new players and make on-the-fly tactical matchday decisions. And with the game's transfer market powered by the biggest football player database, you can build your dream team in no time. All Game Pass subscribers can play this game at no additional cost until June 1. For more on Xbox, check out other games available on Game Pass now, read our hands-on review of the gaming service and learn which Game Pass plan is right for you.
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
FTC drops final challenge to Microsoft's $69B Activision Blizzard deal
Three years after suing to block Microsoft from buying one of the biggest names in video games, the U.S. government is finally giving up. Trump's budget bill touts 'no tax on overtime.' But he just made it harder for millions to earn overtime in the first place In rural Texas, where Elon Musk lives, his DOGE cuts are devastating local residents Tesla's Cybertruck is officially a flop The Federal Trade Commission announced plans Thursday to drop a Biden-era case against Microsoft over its $69 billion acquisition of game-maker Activision Blizzard, a decision the regulator said now best serves the public interest. In 2022, the FTC first announced that it would try to kill Microsoft's planned acquisition of the gaming giant, which makes hit games like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. The following year, after the FTC failed to secure a preliminary injunction to stop it, Microsoft actually finalized the massive deal, but the regulator vowed to continue appealing that decision. Earlier this month, the 9th Circuit Court of Appeals upheld the lower court's order denying the injunction, ruling that the FTC's claims that the deal would limit competition in the gaming industry were weak. The acquisition was destined for intense scrutiny from day one, both for its size and its potential to totally reshape the landscape for one of tech's hottest sectors. When Microsoft announced its plan to buy Activision Blizzard in January 2022, the smaller company had been rocked by emerging allegations of systemic sexual harassment and discrimination in the workplace. Those ongoing scandals eventually forced longtime Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick out of the company as Microsoft cleaned house leading into the merger. Microsoft also had to clear major regulatory hurdles in the U.K., resolving antitrust concerns there over its cloud gaming services before getting the green light to close the deal. That bit of regulatory maneuvering resulted in an unusual arrangement to offload cloud streaming rights for its games to competitor Ubisoft in order to appease the Competition and Markets Authority, the U.K.'s powerful trust buster. (This portion of the deal isn't great news for anyone who's wrestled with Ubisoft's awkward online gaming service over the years.) By bringing Activision Blizzard under its wing, Microsoft can also bring the company's many hit titles into the popular Xbox Game Pass service, which gives players unlimited access to games for a monthly subscription fee. Gaming companies have increasingly turned to monthly subscriptions and live service games over the last decade, and many of Activision Blizzard's hit franchises revolve around online multiplayer gaming, including Call of Duty, Overwatch, Diablo, and World of Warcraft. Activision Blizzard also owns Candy Crush, a colorful tile-matching game that's still synonymous with mobile gaming almost a decade after Activision Blizzard bought its developer King for a then-whopping $5.9 billion. Microsoft president Brad Smith described his company as 'grateful' to the FTC for its decision to allow the acquisition to settle. 'Today's decision is a victory for players across the country and for common sense in Washington, D.C.,' Smith said. This post originally appeared at to get the Fast Company newsletter:
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FTC Ends Legal Challenge to Microsoft Corporation (MSFT)'s Activision Acquisition
On May 22, 2025, the U.S. Federal Trade Commission (FTC) withdrew its administrative case opposing Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)'s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. The decision arrived nearly two years after the transaction was finalized, turning the acquisition into the largest in the video game industry's history. A development team working together to create the next version of Windows. Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT), the global technology giant, acquired gaming powerhouse Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in an all-cash deal. The transaction was completed on October 13, 2023, and with the acquisition, the company aimed to elevate its presence in the gaming industry. However, the FTC has been trying to block the acquisition by filing a case against Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT) in December 2022, claiming that the takeover would harm competition in gaming by giving the company unfair control over popular content like Call of Duty. Following a failed appeal on May 7, 2025, that aimed at reversing a federal court's refusal to halt the merger, the FTC had opted not to pursue further litigation on May 22, 2025, citing public interest concerns. Microsoft President Brad Smith lauded the withdrawal, saying, 'A victory for players across the country and for common sense in Washington, D.C.' According to Reuters, this move by the agency may perhaps be in line with the FTC Chairman Andrew Ferguson's shift in enforcement strategy since other high-profile cases, including the one against PepsiCo, were similarly shelved this week. Earlier on the same day, pointing to insights gathered from the annual Microsoft 360™ event, which featured panels with Microsoft executives and partners, Evercore ISI elevated the price target from $500 to $515 while maintaining an Outperform rating. With these new developments favouring the company, there arises curiosity regarding Microsoft Corporation (NASDAQ:MSFT)'s growth prospects. While we acknowledge the potential of MSFT as an investment, our conviction lies in the belief that some AI stocks hold greater promise for delivering higher returns and have limited downside risk. If you are looking for an AI stock that is more promising than MSFT and that has 100x upside potential, check out our report about the READ NEXT: 10 Unstoppable Dividend Stocks to Buy Now and 11 Oversold Global Stocks to Buy According to Hedge Funds Disclosure: None.
Yahoo
24-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
FTC ends opposition to Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The US Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has formally ended its legal challenge against Microsoft's $69bn acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard. In a press statement, FTC said: 'The Commission has determined that the public interest is best served by dismissing the administrative litigation in this case. Accordingly, it is hereby ordered that the complaint in this matter be, and it hereby is, dismissed.' Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in 2023 to enhance its presence in the video gaming market, featuring titles such as 'Call of Duty'. It marked the largest-ever transaction in the video gaming market. The deal, however, faced scrutiny for potential antitrust issues. The FTC had previously argued that the Activision Blizzard acquisition would give Microsoft an unfair edge in the gaming industry, particularly in the markets for the Xbox console, gaming subscriptions, and cloud-based services. The agency stated that continuing the case was no longer in the public interest, given that the transaction had already been completed. Earlier in May 2025, the FTC lost an appeal which aimed to overturn a judge's ruling against blocking the Microsoft-Activision merger. FTC chairman Andrew Ferguson was cited by Reuters as saying that the agency is aiming to align its efforts with US President Donald Trump's agenda. One such case involves examining whether advertisers coordinated efforts to reduce spending on the social media platform X. In response to the FTC's latest move, Microsoft president Brad Smith said on LinkedIn platform: 'Today's decision is a victory for players across the country and for common sense in Washington, D.C. We are grateful to the FTC for today's announcement.' "FTC ends opposition to Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard" was originally created and published by Verdict, a GlobalData owned brand. The information on this site has been included in good faith for general informational purposes only. It is not intended to amount to advice on which you should rely, and we give no representation, warranty or guarantee, whether express or implied as to its accuracy or completeness. You must obtain professional or specialist advice before taking, or refraining from, any action on the basis of the content on our site. Error in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
