FTC Blames Microsoft’s Actions With Bethesda Deal Evidence To Block Current Activision Acquisition
Of course, while many still peer at Microsoft to be the lacking of the three platform holders for more than a full console cycle, the ecosystem is continuing to inject conversation on the industry from its actions. Namely, the growing number of acquisitions made on behalf of the Xbox parent company. One of its largest deals was Bethesda back in 2020. And now, Activision Blizzard is its new target for Xbox. Recently, the FTC issued a lawsuit against the Xbox firm with blame harboring intentions to withhold content from rivaling platforms. The regulator by June 2023 successfully established its concern and restrained the acquisition from progressing between both parties. In a following document that released this week, the FTC now has ammunition for its reasoning to block the deal. In a new documented reply to Microsoft’s opposition of the preliminary injunction, the FTC utilizes the handling of the Zenimax acquisition to be a plentiful argument against the current Activision Blizzard battle. Namely, how releases since the acquisition being fulfilled for Bethesda led to only Xbox exclusive titles. “Defendants put great stock in Microsoft’s concerns about ‘infuriating gamers’ if it were to foreclose rivals’ access to Activision content… But those same concerns did not stop the ZeniMax decision.” Adding: “Microsoft has the ability and incentive to foreclose or partially foreclose Activision content post-acquisition. Microsoft’s prior actions with its ZeniMax acquisition is one of many pieces of evidence demonstrating this fact.” And the argument is proof of the route Xbox has taken. Despite executives at Microsoft stating that Bethesda releases moving forward would be dealt on a case-by-case basis, it has only proven to be in its own favor with Redfall & Starfield. And whilst Microsoft argues that the first arrangement of the deal then offered exclusive content for its competitor on PlayStation with Deathloop & GhostWire: Tokyo, it is not effective as both later hit its own platform. One of Microsoft’s arguments previously stated that the deal for Activision Blizzard would be the act on the acquisition as it did with Mojang Studios. The Minecraft developer since its buyout in 2015 has remained a multiplatform developer. And with concerns if Call of Duty will go solely on Xbox, the response is that it will be handled similarly to Minecraft. You can read the full report by heading here. What is your thoughts on the development for the Activision Blizzard deal? Source: Federal Trade Commission
Vampire Survivors To Welcome Co-op Update This August
In 2022, developer poncle struck the world in awe came the release of Vampire Survivors. For a simplistic looking game on the surface revealed itself to be an engaging and very strategic experience to instantly get players hooked. This helped in part with the approach for the game with its addition to PC Game Pass back in May at the time. It wasn’t until November the following fall that Vampire Survivors hit the full front of Xbox Game Pass for console users. By then, the title swiftly grew its popularity within the short time as more players got their hand on the game. At The Game Awards the following month, Vampire Survivors was nominated for Best Indie Debut alongside Stray, Tunic, Neon White, and Noroc. During the Nintendo Direct this week, poncle announced a new update is coming to Vampire Survivors – co-op. Even more, Nintendo Switch owners can expect the feature as well when both launch the same day in August. You can watch the new trailer in the video below: “The couch co-op mode will be released on August 17 with a free update that will let you play the whole game, including all updates and DLCs, with friends (or foes). In couch co-op mode, you can either continue your current game or start a new adventure. It will also be possible to seamlessly switch between single and co-op play between stages, unlock achievements, etc. In short: you will be able to play the whole game in local co-op! “And yes, this will also work on Steam Deck if you sit together close enough (or connect it to a TV). We hope you will enjoy the co-op mode as much as we did when playtesting and making it. It already tested multiple friendships in the poncle team – your friendships could be next,” the developer pens in the latest blog post. What are you most excited about for coop coming to Vampire Survivors? Vampire Survivors ships for Nintendo Switch on August 17, 2023; out now for PC, Xbox One, and Xbox Series X|S. Source: poncle
Where to pre-order Persona 5 Tactica
Persona 5 Tactica is an all-new strategy RPG adventure featuring the Phantom Thieves of Hearts that we all know from Persona 5. Persona 5 Tactica will be coming to Xbox Series XlS, Nintendo Switch and PlayStation 5 this November 17 and pre-orders are live. The cost of Persona 5 Tactica is $59.99 USD. There are multiple places where you can pre-order this game and we’ll share them below. If you pre-order Persona 5 Tactica at GameStop you will receive two exclusive coasters. You can pre-order for Xbox Series XlS, PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4 and Nintendo Switch. Amazon has pre-orders up for PlayStation 4, PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch and Xbox Series XlS, but they do not offer any bonuses for pre-ordering. Best Buy is another retailer you can pre-order Persona 5 Tactica at, but just like Amazon they will not be offering a bonus. Pre-orders are available for PlayStation 5, Nintendo Switch, and Xbox Series XlS. Stay tuned for more updates on Persona 5 Tactica.
Splatoon 3’s next Splatfest comes in July featuring ice cream
Splatoon 3 is getting another Splatfest this Summer and the theme of it this time around is Which Flavor ice cream is best? The team choices will be Vanilla, Strawberry or Mint Chip. If you had an argument about this you can now fight for your choice in-game. The ice cream Splatfest will take place from July 14 at 5 PM PT to July 16 at 5 PM PT. Guide your favorite flavor to victory. Plus, get splatting in themed battles with Challenges. This Splatfest would make it the fourth one in Splatoon 3 within its first year of release. The Splatfest’s featured Zelda, Pokemon and Favorite Taste Sensation. Splatoon 3 is only available for Nintendo Switch.
New Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom amiibo are coming this Holiday
The Nintendo Direct revealed brand new amiibo coming this Holiday featuring Zelda and Ganondorf from The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom. Check out the full images below: The Legend of Zelda: Tears of The Kingdom will now have three total amiibo with the release of these two coming later this year. The first one to release was of Link in his new look for Tears of The Kingdom. Pre-orders for the Zelda and Ganondorf amiibo have not gone up yet, but if we had to guess a price for these it’d be $15.99 USD.
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is getting three new characters in Wave 5
Mario Kart 8 Deluxe is receive Wave 5 of its DLC and it’ll include three new characters along with new tracks. The new characters added are ones that fans are familiar with from the world of Mario. Petey Piranha from Mario Kart Double Dash, Wiggler from Mario Kart 7 and Kamek from Mario Kart Tour will be the ones joining the roster. The only track announced so far was Squeaky Clean Sprint which is brand new to the Mario Kart series. The Booster Course Pass Wave 5 should be releasing sometime this Summer with full details coming from Nintendo as we get closer to its release. The latest Nintendo Direct featured announcements for a lot of new Mario games including Super Mario Bros. Wonder.
Star Ocean The Second Story R is coming to Nintendo Switch, PC and PlayStation 5
During the Nintendo Direct, Star Ocean The Second Story R was announced with a release date for November 2, 2023. This is a full remake of the second installment in the Star Ocean series. After a mission goes wrong, federation officer Claude is stranded on an undeveloped planet. There, he meets Rena, who possesses mystical powers. Play as either Claude or Rena and make decisions that will impact your destiny. Star Ocean The Second Story R is a full remake of the 1998 science-fantasy RPG, rebuilt with striking graphics that combine 3D environments and 2D pixel characters. Plus, new combat features let you execute battles with strategic precision. Star Ocean The Second Story R will be coming to Nintendo Switch, PC and PlayStation 5.
