ACTIVISION
Microsoft stock (MSFT) falls as US targets green card filings for H-1B workers and Italy probes gaming business
Microsoft stock fell nearly 2% as the US targeted Microsoft’s green card filings for H-1B workers, while Italy opened an investigation into Microsoft-owned gaming companies over virtual currencies, consumer protection and gaming practices.
Italy launches EU-backed probe into Microsoft-owned gaming companies
Italy's probe is aimed at Activision Blizzard, among other companies of the Microsoft group, the antitrust authority said in a statement, without naming the others
Microsof is reportedly rebooting the Halo series, Activision game may delve deeper into Master Chief's character and origins
The Halo franchise is reportedly being rebooted under Activision that will delve into Master Chief's backstory. This fresh narrative is designed to engage both new gamers and devoted fans alike. Early reports indicate the game will leverage the Infinity Ward Engine for stunning graphics, with current development stages focusing on gameplay mechanics for both the campaign and multiplayer aspects.
Xbox layoffs: Microsoft cuts 268 jobs in latest restructuring
Microsoft's Xbox division will reduce its workforce by 268 employees to reorganise for improved efficiency and profitability. This restructuring is aimed at enhancing the management of franchises and studios while streamlining functions.
Next Halo game to be made by Call of Duty makers as Microsoft lays off 268 employees: What we know
In a significant shake-up, Microsoft has let go of 268 employees from its gaming division, paving the way for Activision to spearhead the upcoming mainline Halo title for Xbox. Studios like Rare and World's Edge will now align under Activision, while Bethesda's Obsidian faces a transition to another studio amid shifting Fallout game plans. Additionally, plans to close Ninja Theory could hinder future titles.
Microsoft announced 3,200 Xbox job cuts in July. Now, it may cut hundreds more this week
Microsoft may fire hundreds of employees from its Xbox division this week. This was on top of the 3,200 job cuts the tech giant announced just few months ago in July. The company is reportedly consolidating its game studios to reinforce its commitment to future growth.
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'Call of Duty' gamers sue Activision for monopolizing leagues, tournaments
Video game maker Activision Blizzard is facing a U.S. lawsuit for unlawfully monopolizing the Call of Duty market. The lawsuit alleges that Activision Blizzard eliminated competition and imposed strict contract provisions on teams and players. Activision Blizzard settled a U.S. Justice Department lawsuit last year.

Activision Blizzard to pay $54 million to settle California state workplace discrimination claims
Activision Blizzard has agreed to pay about $54 million to settle discrimination claims brought by California's civil rights agency on behalf of women employed by the video game maker.

Microsoft welcomes Activision Blizzard and their teams to Xbox
Microsoft's Vice Chair and President, Smith, expressed enthusiasm for collaborating with Activision Blizzard employees and the Communication Workers of America. Microsoft's CEO, Nadella, stated that the partnership is a significant development for gamers worldwide.

Microsoft-Activision Blizzard: Ubisoft reveals strategy
Microsoft-Activision Blizzard deal is done and Ubisoft has revealed its future strategy.

Microsoft, Activision Blizzard deal won't face EU scrutiny, claim reports
Microsoft and Activision Blizzard's ongoing deal won't be a subject to close scrutiny, a few reports have claimed.

Microsoft looks to close Activision deal next week: report
Microsoft won preliminary approval from the Competition and Markets Authority last month after Activision agreed to sell its streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment.

Microsoft-Activision timeline: Ubisoft deal opens doors to Britain's nod
Last month, "Call of Duty" maker Activision agreed to sell its non-European streaming rights to Ubisoft Entertainment to get the biggest deal yet in video-gaming past Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).

Microsoft submits new Activision deal to UK regulator
Xbox-owner Microsoft launched a bid for Activision Blizzard early last year, seeking to establish the world's third biggest gaming firm by revenue after China's Tencent and Japan's PlayStation maker Sony.

UK antitrust regulator: We await new Microsoft proposal on Activision deal
Britain's antitrust regulator is waiting for Microsoft to submit a modified deal structure to buy "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard, its boss Sarah Cardell said on Thursday.

Microsoft extends $69B Activision Blizzard merger deal deadline, overcoming regulatory hurdles
With the extension of the merger deal and revised terms, Microsoft and Activision Blizzard are working towards overcoming regulatory hurdles to create a gaming powerhouse.

Activision, Microsoft extend deadline to close $69 billion deal to Oct 18
Activision Blizzard said on Wednesday it has extended the deadline for the close of its $69 billion takeover by Microsoft to Oct. 18 as the companies work to secure approval from the United Kingdom's antitrust authority.

Warren Buffett cut Activision stake before judge approved Microsoft merger
In a regulatory filing on Monday, Berkshire said it owned about 14.7 million Activision shares, or 1.9%, worth $1.24 billion on June 30, down from 49.4 million shares, or 6.3%, on March 31.

Microsoft in talks to extend deal contract with Activision
Microsoft Corp is in talks about an extension of its acquisition contract with video game maker Activision Blizzard, which is set to expire on Tuesday, so the parties can overcome the remaining regulatory hurdles to their $69 billion deal, a person familiar with the matter said on Monday.

Buffett cut Activision stake before judge approved Microsoft merger
The Activision investment was a form of arbitrage, with Buffett viewing investors as too pessimistic that regulators would approve combining Microsoft's Xbox gaming console business with the publisher of the "Call of Duty" and "Candy Crush" franchises.

Microsoft and UK regulators want more time to work on $69 billion Activision deal
Microsoft and British regulators sought more time from a court Monday as the U.S. tech company uses a rare second chance to overcome opposition to its $69 billion bid for video game maker Activision Blizzard.

US FTC to argue Microsoft's deal to buy Activision should be paused
Microsoft has said that a temporary block could scuttle the deal. Courts do not usually take into account such real-world consequences. But if the court pauses the deal, Microsoft and Activision will have to agree to extend it past a July 18 termination date built into their original agreement.

US FTC seeks to block Microsoft's acquisition of Activision
The US Federal Trade Commission will file an injunction blocking Microsoft Corp's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, CNBC reported on Monday.

EU regulators extend deadline for Microsoft, Activision deal to April 25
Last month, Microsoft Corp struck a 10-year deal to bring Activision games to Nvidia Corp's gaming platform, if the Xbox maker is allowed to complete the acquisition.

Microsoft tells judges its $69 billion Activision deal would benefit gamers
ACTIVISION-M-A-MICROSOFT-Microsoft tells judges its $69 billion Activision deal would benefit gamers

UK watchdog probes Microsoft's $68.7 billion Activision buyout deal
In the biggest gaming industry deal in history, Microsoft said it was buying Activision Blizzard in January.

Warren Buffett says Berkshire's Activision purchase was 'no bonanza'
Warren Buffett said one of his investment managers paid about $77 per share for Berkshire's 14.7 million Activision shares, acquiring about 85% of his position in October and the rest in November.

Workers at Activision Blizzard-owned studio say they have formed union
The union, supported by the Communications Workers of America, represents 34 people in the quality assurance department at Raven Software. Activision said it was considering the matter. Workers could also seek to hold an election supervised by the National Labor Relations Board (NLRB).

Microsoft faces challenge cleaning up Activision Blizzard's culture
Accomplishing that will require Microsoft to deviate from its usual hands-off approach on acquisitions to tackle what amounts to a "clean up" job of fixing Activision, which faces multiple accusations of sexual harassment and misconduct, analysts and management experts say.
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