Royally Screwed – Episode 408

In this episode, I read to you the CMA’s decision regarding the Microsoft / Activision King acquisition, along with various other articles that provide additional details. Activision Blizzard posted a “commitment to equity” and its first quarter financial results for 2023. NetEase is NOT suing Activision. Microsoft is still making deals. Another FTC Commissioner has resigned.

Blizzard posted information regarding the Server Slam, including the system requirements PCs need in order to play Diablo IV. PSU posted an article about how long it will take players to hit level 100.

Things mentioned in this episode:

• Activision Blizzard King posted “Our commitment to pay equity”
• Wowhead posted an article titled: “Activision Blizzard First Quarter 2023 Financial Results – Strong Performance from Blizzard and Mobile Games”
• Engadget posted an article titled: “China court documents incorrectly showed Activision was being sued by former partner NetEase”
• Bloomberg posted an article titled: “UK Blocks Microsoft’s $69 Billion Activision Deal”
• UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) posted a press release titled: “Microsoft / Activision deal prevented to protect innovation and choice in cloud gaming”
• CNBC posted an article titled: “First on CNBC: CNBC Transcript: Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick Speaks with CNBC’s “Squawk Box” Today”
• BBC posted an article titled: “UK games sector wanted Microsoft deal, says Sir Ian Livingstone”
• IGN posted an article titled: “Microsoft, Activision-Blizzard, and the CMA: So, What’s Next?”
• MacRumors posted an article titled: “UK Regulator Blocks Microsoft’s $70 Billion Activision Blizzard Acquisition”
• GamesIndustry.biz posted an article titled: “Microsoft vows to appeal as the UK regulator blocks its acquisition of Activision Blizzard”
• Ars Technica posted an article titled: “UK government blocks Microsoft’s proposed Activision purchase”
• Engadget posted an article titled: “Microsoft Inks another cloud gaming deal after the UK blocked its Activision takeover”
• Ars Technica posted an article titled: “UK government says the Nintendo Switch can’t handle Call of Duty”
• VGC posted an article titled: “Microsoft has reported its ‘second best Q3 for Xbox revenue'”
• Ars Technica posted an article titled: “Despite UK ruling, Microsoft / Activision merger might not be dead just yet”
• Kotaku posted an article titled: “UK Blocks Microsoft Activision Deal Over Game Pass”
• The Hill posted an article titled: “Republican FTC Commissioner will resign, slams Democratic Chair”
• Blizzard posted: “Help Us Gear Up For Launch During The Diablo IV Server Slam” (posted April 20)
• Blizzard posted: “Diablo IV System Requirements” (for PC)
• GameSpot posted an article titled: “Diablo 4 Server Slam Beta: Start Date, Rewards, Class Changes, And Everything We Know”
• PSU posted an article titled: “Diablo IV Players Will Take On Average About 150+ Hours To Hit Level 100”
• TechRadar posted an article titled: “Diablo 4 is going hardcore with one feature that’ll make you cry”

Where to find Jen’s Content Creation:

• Shattered Soulstone T-shirts now available on Jen’s Redbubble!
• Shattered Soulstone Pride shirts now available on Jen’s Redbubble!
• Book Of Jen website: Diablo gameplay videos
• BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo III Season 28 (work in progress)
• BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo Immortal Closed Alpha playlist
• BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo Immortal playlist (work in progress)
• Jen’s Lore Corner episodes are now on Shattered Soulstone!
• Twitch @BarbarianKobold (NOTE: I rarely stream.)
• Restless Barbarian Gaming on Twitch
• Restless Barbarian Gaming on YouTube

You can listen to Shattered Soulstone on Bonus Roll Productions – and submit a review there.

Got something to say? Send a tweet to @ShatteredStone or message us on Facebook at www.facebook.com/shatteredsoulstone and we will read it off in the next episode.