Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal gets preliminary approval from UK regulator Illustration by William Joel / The VergeThe UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has given preliminary approval for Microsoft to proceed with its $69 billion Activision Blizzard deal. The CMA had originally blocked the acquisition over cloud gaming concerns, but Microsoft recently restructured the deal to transfer cloud gaming rights for…

Microsoft’s president on fresh bid for Activision Blizzard: ‘Up to the regulators’ to decide Microsoft’s vice-chairman and president Brad Smith told CNBC the firm “really tried to take concerns to heart” before submitting a new takeover bid for Activision Blizzard.

The EU might need to reassess Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard deal after restructuring Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeMicrosoft announced a restructuring of its proposed Activision Blizzard acquisition earlier today that involves transferring cloud gaming rights for current and new Activision Blizzard games to Ubisoft. It’s a big change in Microsoft’s $68.7 billion deal that’s designed to appease UK regulators that blocked…

Microsoft submits new Activision Blizzard takeover deal to British regulator after initial block Microsoft on Tuesday submitted a new deal to U.K. regulators for the takeover of Activision Blizzard after the rejection of its initial proposal.

Blizzard is previewing a Diablo III single-player mode — 11 years after the game launched Image: BlizzardBlizzard started testing the first dedicated single-player mode for Diablo III — that’s right, a game released 11 years ago. The new mode, Solo Self Found, gets its own leaderboards, along with a hardcore version the developer team recommends for players who want to be challenged. It’s available as part of Patch 2.7.6 PTR, the new…

Microsoft argues its Activision Blizzard case with UK regulators Illustration by William Joel / The VergeMicrosoft has submitted a new change of circumstances document to the Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) in the UK, arguing its case for its proposed Activision Blizzard deal to be reconsidered for approval. The CMA first blocked Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard in April, with …

Blizzard devs know their Diablo IV patch was bad A Campfire Chat about Diablo IV’s 1.1.0 update. | Screenshot: Wes Davis / The VergeThree directors working on Diablo IV held a campfire chat livestream yesterday saying they will change how they roll out patches, after an incremental verison 1.1.0 patch for the game abruptly nerfed players’ builds (via IGN). And they promise updates like that wo…

FTC withdraws its in-house challenge to Microsoft’s Activision-Blizzard deal Illustration by Alex Castro / The VergeThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is suspending its administrative challenge (PDF) seeking to block Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard. The FTC had taken a two-pronged approach against the $68.7 billion deal, filing this case last December that was scheduled to go before its own administrative judge…

Blizzard nerfs Diablo IV character builds ahead of new season launch Mom took away your favorite toy because she said you weren’t playing fair. | Image: BlizzardNothing brings together a community of gamers quite like a balancing patch to their favorite numbers-go-up game, does it? That’s what Blizzard’s new version 1.1.0 patch is doing for Diablo IV players, and the chorus being sung in unison by hardcore player…

Blizzard games are coming to Steam Image: BlizzardSome of your favorite Blizzard games are coming to Steam. Today, Blizzard announced that it plans to offer a selection of its games on the PC storefront. “Though we remain committed to continually investing in and supporting Battle.net, we want to break down the barriers to make it easier for players everywhere to find and enjoy o…

Activision Blizzard lays off esports staff as it faces potential dramatic changes for the Overwatch League Image: Joe BradyAmid layoffs in the Activision Blizzard esports department, Overwatch League franchise owners will vote on whether to continue the league in its current format. Continue reading…

Court denies FTC’s last-ditch attempt to stop Microsoft buying Activision Blizzard Image: Getty ImagesThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) has lost what may be its final attempt to block Microsoft from buying Activision Blizzard. It’s the second loss for the FTC after a US federal judge denied its request for a preliminary injunction earlier this week to block Microsoft from acquiring Activision Blizzard until the conclusion of …

FTC is appealing ruling that cleared Microsoft to buy Activision Blizzard Illustration by William Joel / The VergeThe Federal Trade Commission (FTC) says it is appealing a recent US federal court order that cleared the way for Microsoft to purchase Activision Blizzard. The FTC has filed a notice that it’s appealing Judge Jacqueline Scott Corley’s decision, but we won’t know the regulator’s arguments until the full app…

Activision Blizzard stock surges 10% after judge rules on Microsoft deal Shares of Activision Blizzard popped after a judge denied the Federal Trade Commission’s injunction request to stop Microsoft from acquiring it.