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☆ Diablo IV Wants Gamers to Slay Monsters in Hell Forever
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-05 | by ( Brian X. Chen | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

With hits like World of Warcraft and Diablo, Blizzard Entertainment is considered a progenitor of the “forever game,” addictive experiences that players cannot put down because they seemingly never run out of quests to complete or gear to collect. As players fought through dungeons, slain monsters dropped loot, such as weapons and jewelry, that would empower their characters. Sometimes they were randomly rewarded with rare and exceedingly potent loot, much like pulling a slot machine and hitting the jackpot. The endless dopamine-inducing hunt was a winning formula that persuaded Diablo players over the past 26 years to invest hundreds, sometimes thousands, of hours into building the perfect character. But as the studio, now part of Activision Blizzard, prepares to release Diablo IV for computers and Xbox and PlayStation consoles on Tuesday, it is modifying its casino-like tactics to build a forever game for modern times.

Persons: deviousness Organizations: Blizzard Entertainment, Diablo, Activision Blizzard, PlayStation

☆ Some Diablo 4 players reported invalid license error messages after the video game's early access launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Early access for Diablo 4 faced issues, including licensing errors for some PlayStation users. Diablo 4 marks the latest installment of Blizzard "Diablo" series, which began in 1996, and arrives more than a decade after Diablo 3 was released in May 2012. Here's what you need to know about Thursday's early access launch and the coming official release of Diablo 4. It's unclear how many early access players have been impacted by the error. According to Blizzard, Diablo 4 is set decades after the events of "Diablo 3: Reaper of Souls."

Persons: Blizzard, Rod Fergusson, Adam Fletcher, Inarius, Liam Deane, Omdia Organizations: Diablo, PlayStation, Morning, Blizzard Entertainment, Activision Blizzard, Activision, Windows, Blizzard, Xbox, Druids, Sorceresses, Microsoft, European Union, Sony, Associated Press Locations: U.S

☆ Some Diablo 4 players are reporting invalid license error messages after the video game's early access launch
▼ + stars: | 2023-06-02 | by ( Associated Press | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +6 min

Early access for Diablo 4 faced issues, including licensing errors for some PlayStation users. Diablo 4 marks the latest installment of Blizzard "Diablo" series, which began in 1996, and arrives more than a decade after "Diablo III" was released in May 2012. Here's what you need to know about Thursday's early access launch and the coming official release of "Diablo IV." It's unclear how many early access players have been impacted by the error. According to Blizzard, Diablo 4 is set decades after the events of "Diablo III: Reaper of Souls."

Persons: Blizzard, Rod Fergusson, Adam Fletcher, Inarius, Liam Deane, Omdia Organizations: Diablo, PlayStation, Morning, Blizzard Entertainment, Activision Blizzard, Activision, Windows, Blizzard, Xbox, Associated Press, Druids, Sorceresses, Microsoft, European Union, Sony Locations: U.S

Today's your last chance to score one of these excellent Memorial Day TV sales. We've also been busy covering the latest Memorial Day mattress sales and the wider world of Memorial Day sales if you're looking to treat yourself today. The best Memorial Day TV salesMemorial Day TV dealsThe Samsung S95B delivers impressive color and contrast performance. You're also getting the Amazon Fire TV smart TV features built-in along with a Fire TV remote. Memorial Day TV sale FAQsWhen is Memorial Day 2023?

☆ Microsoft keyboard users are ‘so devastated’ after discontinuation of accessories
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-27 | by ( Jordan Novet | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +10 min

He switched newspapers in 1998 and bought the newer model, the Microsoft Natural Keyboard Elite. A study had shown that 22 out of 23 people preferred the geometry of the Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000 over the older Microsoft Natural Keyboard Pro. In 2022, he bought a Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard for his house in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida, and another one for when he was working at a client's office. Zoom In Icon Arrows pointing outwards From top to bottom, Matt Steinhoff's home collection includes the Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard he uses every day, a Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Desktop 7000 keyboard someone gave him and his old Microsoft Natural Ergonomic Keyboard 4000, which he keeps around as a backup. The model costs $129.99 on Amazon, twice the price of the discontinued Microsoft Ergonomic Keyboard.

Xbox Game Pass vs. PlayStation Plus: GamesHorizon: Forbidden West is one of the latest high-profile games to hit PlayStation Plus. Horizon Forbidden West / SonyThe main selling points of Game Pass and PlayStation Plus are their Netflix-style libraries of downloadable games. Xbox Game Pass' recent day-one releases include the cooperative shooter Redfall, and the rhythm-based action game Hi-Fi Rush. Game Pass members get a 10% discount when buying games that are already on Game Pass, so you can always get a deal before a game leaves the service entirely. That 10% discount also applies to downloadable content and add-ons for Game Pass games, which aren't always included with the base version.

☆ Twitter accuses Microsoft of refusing to pay for tweets and abusing its data access
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-19 | by ( Brian Fung | ) edition.cnn.com time to read: +3 min

Washington CNN —Twitter is accusing Microsoft of abusing its data access privileges to its platform, in the latest sign of the social network’s owner Elon Musk igniting a feud between the two tech companies. Microsoft refused to pay Twitter to maintain its data access through Twitter’s application programming interface (API) after Twitter erected a paywall seeking to charge for data, according to the letter. The letter called on Microsoft to provide information about its past two years of Twitter API usage, setting a deadline of June 7. “We heard from a law firm representing Twitter with some questions about our previous use of the free Twitter API. Musk’s targeting of Microsoft over its AI investments appears closely linked to his overall criticisms of existing AI models.

☆ I've used this brilliant Xbox Series X memory card for years and it's never been cheaper
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-16 | by ( Brendan Griffiths | Senior Commerce Director | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Xbox Series X memory card deals might not sound like the most exciting purchase for your gaming setup, but having had Seagate's official model since the console launched, I could simply not enjoy games the way I do without it. Microsoft avoided the option to let gamers install any compatible SSD like you can with the PS5, instead opting for a super simple, plug-and-play memory card. The only Xbox Series X|S memory card you'll ever needStill the best option out thereA few years back, I used to run the hardware department at GamesRadar and nabbed one of the memory cards at launch to test on the new Xbox Series X console. Between the onboard storage and a 1TB card, I've always got everything to hand. Head on over to our PS5 vs. Xbox Series X guide.

☆ Microsoft wins EU antitrust approval for Activision deal vetoed by UK
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Foo Yun Chee | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +4 min

[1/2] Microsoft logo is seen on a smartphone placed on displayed Activision Blizzard's games characters in this illustration taken January 18, 2022. Microsoft has in recent months signed licensing deals with Nvidia (NVDA.O), Nintendo (7974.T), Ukraine's Boosteroid and Japan's Ubitus to bring Activision games to their platforms should the deal go through. "The European Commission has required Microsoft to license popular Activision Blizzard games automatically to competing cloud gaming services. CLOUD GAMING MARKET GROWTHVestager said the Commission had a different view from UK regulators of how the game streaming market, which accounted for just 1% of the total market last year, would develop. "Microsoft and Activision’s lawyers will also use the decision to provide greater ballast to their appeal of the CMA's decision."

☆ EU approves Microsoft's $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, clearing major hurdle
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Arjun Kharpal | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

European Union regulators on Monday approved Microsoft's proposed $69 billion acquisition of gaming firm Activision Blizzard , subject to remedies offered by the U.S. tech giant. These remedies centered on allowing users to stream Activision games they purchase on any cloud streaming platform. Regulators globally have been probing whether Microsoft's acquisition of Activision could distort competition in the console and cloud gaming market. One area regulators questioned is whether Microsoft might take Activision games and keep them exclusively on the U.S. giant's own platforms. Microsoft sought to allay the Commission's concerns over making Activision games exclusive ahead of the EU decision.

☆ E.U. Approves Microsoft’s $69 Billion Deal for Activision
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-15 | by ( Adam Satariano | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +2 min

American and British regulators said Microsoft’s purchase of Activision would undercut this still-developing sector of the gaming industry before it had a chance to bloom. After negotiating the concessions with Microsoft, European Union officials said they concluded that the deal could go through, particularly because the cloud gaming market is still so small. In the European Union, PlayStation has a much larger market share than Xbox. Authorities also noted that Microsoft and Activision have a relatively small market share for mobile games, which accounts for about half of the overall video game market in European Union. The approval is a rare occasion where European regulators appear to be more accommodating to the tech industry than the United States.

The Asus ROG Ally is a brand-new handheld gaming system that's set to hit Best Buy on June 13. On top of all that, the ROG Ally boasts more powerful hardware than even the Steam Deck. Asus plans on releasing two different versions: One with an AMD Z1 Extreme CPU that costs $700, and another with a weaker AMD Z1 chip for $600. Asus ROG Ally Gaming Handheld (Z1 Extreme) The Asus ROG Ally is a handheld gaming PC, running Windows 11. The ROG Ally is a mediocre way to use Windows 11Asus has built the ROG Ally to run Windows 11.

☆ How Ato Essandoh of ‘The Diplomat’ Spends His Sundays
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-07 | by ( Tammy La Gorce | ) www.nytimes.com time to read: +1 min

HEADS UP I used to have a policy where on Sunday I don’t touch media or look at my phone. Because the things you miss when you’re staring at those two inches of screen can be ridiculous. I’ve seen eagles in the park because I’m looking up, not looking at my phone. I’m one of those people who, when I’m walking, I’ll look in brownstone windows and be like, Ooh! ‘I’VE GOT THIS’ Later I’ll probably listen to more records or maybe play a video game or two.

UFC 288 will stream live from Newark, New Jersey, on May 6, with bantamweight champion Aljamain Sterling set to defend his title against Henry Cejudo. The main card of UFC 288 will be a pay-per-view event, and you can order it to watch on ESPN+ for $80. How to watch UFC 288 in the USYou can watch the main event of UFC 288 on ESPN+ at 10 p.m. Ways to save on the UFC 288 pay-per-view priceIf you plan on signing up for ESPN+ to watch UFC 288, you can snag a discounted package. How to watch UFC 288 in CanadaIn Canada, UFC 288 will be available to watch from multiple pay-per-view TV providers, including Bell, Rogers, Shaw, and Telus.

Canelo vs. Ryder live stream quick links US: Watch on DAZN ($55 plus $20/month membership)Watch on ($55 plus $20/month membership) UK: Watch on DAZN (£19.99/month)Watch on (£19.99/month) Start time: 7 p.m. How to watch Canelo vs. RyderYou can watch Canelo vs. Ryder as a pay-per-event on the DAZN streaming service. You can also order Canelo vs. Ryder directly through most TV providers for $80, but the DAZN package is a bit cheaper. Canelo vs. Ryder PPV Fight with with DAZN Subscription The super middleweight title fight between Canelo Alvarez and John Ryder is a $55 pay-per-view event, but you'll also need a $20/month DAZN subscription to watch if you don't already have one. How to watch Canelo vs. Ryder outside the USThe Canelo vs. Ryder price varies in regions outside the US, but DAZN is still the primary broadcaster in the UK, Canada, and Latin America.

☆ Microsoft’s Activision Deal Is No Longer Just About Activision
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Dan Gallagher | ) www.wsj.com time to read: +1 min

A Microsoft takeover of Activision Blizzard would give the Xbox maker control of the ‘Call of Duty’ videogame franchise. Photo: CARLO ALLEGRI/REUTERSCloud gaming is barely an actual business yet, but U.K. regulators want to make sure Microsoft never owns it. Their reasoning carries far greater implications than a deal that would give the Xbox maker control of “Call of Duty.”Microsoft says it plans to appeal the ruling last week from the U.K.’s Competition and Markets Authority, or CMA, to block the company’s $75 billion takeover of Activision Blizzard . The decision was a major surprise given earlier signs that suggested the agency was leaning in favor of letting the deal go through. The agency said it wanted to prevent the deal “to protect innovation and choice in cloud gaming,” a market that it predicts will be worth about one billion pounds—or roughly $1.25 billion—annually by 2026.

☆ AMD beats on the top and bottom lines but is still a second-half story. Here's why
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Zev Fima | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +6 min

The good news: Advanced Micro Devices (AMD) first-quarter beat on Tuesday revealed a likely bottom in its struggling PC business. The not-as-good: The chipmaker won't resume the kind of growth we're used to until the second half of the year. Here's why: Management sees some "modest" data center growth in the second quarter, but demand remains suppressed as a result of ongoing cloud optimization efforts. Outlook AMD provided an outlook for the second quarter of 2023 that was slightly below expectations. Ultimately management expects sequential growth in client and data center to be offset by "modest declines" in gaming and embedded.

☆ Ukrainian soldiers are using a handheld video game console to operate machine gun mounts, per reports. The US Navy has also utilized Xbox controllers in the past.
▼ + stars: | 2023-05-02 | by ( Kelsey Vlamis | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +3 min

Photos show Ukrainian soldiers using a Steam Deck to operate the Sabre weapon system. The US Navy has used Xbox controllers in some submarines since 2018. Valve, the maker of Steam Deck, did not immediately respond to Insider's request for comment. It's not the first time a military has utilized video game hardware. In 2017, the US Navy announced it would begin using Xbox 360 controllers to operate the photonics masts, which replaced periscopes, on submarines.

☆ Explainer: What next for Microsoft's $69 billion Activision deal after UK ban?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

LONDON, April 28 (Reuters) - Britain's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) on Wednesday blocked Microsoft's (MSFT.O) $69 billion acquisition of 'Call of Duty' maker Activision Blizzard (ATVI.O) over concerns it would hinder cloud gaming. The regulator's decision reflected a flawed understanding of the market, it said. Microsoft can appeal to Britain's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), an independent judicial body, which will only examine the CMA's decision-making process, not the merits of the merger. "The CAT aims to deal with 'straightforward' cases in under nine months – and Microsoft/Activision is anything but straightforward," Lane, said. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint to block the deal, which Microsoft has indicated it will fight.

The Japanese company said it expects operating profit in the year to March 31 to fall 3.2% to 1.17 trillion yen ($8.65 billion), lower than an analysts' average estimate of a 1.275 trillion yen profit, according to Refinitiv data. For this business year, the company forecast profit at its gaming and network unit to rise by 8% to 270 billion yen. Software sales ought to have grown in tandem with hardware," Yasuda said. Sony also predicted that image sensor operating profit will dip by 5.8% to 200 billion yen. The firm said overall operating profit for the three months that ended March 31 fell 7.3% to 128.5 billion yen, with full year profit nudging up to a record 1.21 trillion yen.

☆ Microsoft signs 10-year deal with Spain's Nware after UK blocks Activision bid
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( ) www.reuters.com time to read: +2 min

The agreement marks the latest effort by Microsoft to ease fears its purchase of Activision would hinder competition in cloud gaming, which was the reason cited by the Competition and Markets Authority to veto the biggest deal in gaming. In its decision on Wednesday, the CMA said Microsoft had an estimated 60%-70% of global cloud gaming services as well as competitive advantages including owning Xbox, PC operating system Windows and cloud provider Azure. The Activision deal is the biggest involving technology companies the regulator has blocked. Microsoft shares were slightly lower in U.S. premarket trading, while those of Activision ticked up 0.2%. Reporting by Tiyashi Datta in Bengaluru; Editing by Krishna Chandra ELuriOur Standards: The Thomson Reuters Trust Principles.

☆ Explainer: What next for Microsoft's $69 bln Activision deal after UK ban?
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-28 | by ( Paul Sandle | ) www.reuters.com time to read: +3 min

The regulator's decision reflected a flawed understanding of the market, it said. Microsoft can appeal to Britain's Competition Appeal Tribunal (CAT), an independent judicial body, which will only examine the CMA's decision-making process, not the merits of the merger. "The CAT aims to deal with 'straightforward' cases in under nine months – and Microsoft/Activision is anything but straightforward," Lane, said. The U.S. Federal Trade Commission filed a complaint to block the deal, which Microsoft has indicated it will fight. The regulator then "identified certain potential errors" in its investigation chaired by Martin Coleman, who also oversaw the Microsoft-Activision case.

☆ What’s Next for Microsoft, Activision After U.K. Rejects Deal
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Sarah E. Needleman | ) www.wsj.com time to read: 1 min

Photo: Jae C. Hong/Associated PressMicrosoft Corp. faces a sudden challenge to its videogaming ambitions after the U.K. rejected the Xbox maker’s proposed $75 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard Inc., a regulatory blow that antitrust lawyers say will be hard to overcome. Microsoft has been pushing to get approvals for the deal—which would be its biggest ever—for more than a year, in part to help it gain an edge in the nascent market for cloud gaming, the Netflix-like streaming of games, and in its mobile gaming business.

☆ This video game stock could struggle after the blocking of Microsoft's Activision Blizzard takeover, BMO says
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Brian Evans | ) www.cnbc.com time to read: +2 min

BMO Capital Markets thinks Electronic Arts could be negatively impacted from the blocking of the Microsoft - Activision Blizzard deal. The firm downgraded EA stock to market perform from outperform Thursday. But BMO says because the UK Competition and Markets Authority's stopped Microsoft's takeover attempt of Activision Blizzard , the failure will be a cautionary tale for company's seeking large deals in the space. EA YTD mountain Shares of Electronic Arts could face more pressure after the fallout of the takeover deal from Microsoft of Activision Blizzard. However, the regulatory body did stipulate that Microsoft could make Activision games exclusive to cloud gaming platform Xbox Game Pass.

☆ Feds found a smashed Xbox and more in a dumpster at Pentagon leak suspect Jack Teixeira's house. Prosecutors allege he was covering his tracks.
▼ + stars: | 2023-04-27 | by ( Jake Epstein | ) www.businessinsider.com time to read: +4 min

Jack Teixeira, who is suspected of leaking secret Pentagon documents, is due back in court. In court documents, they also allege that he tried to cover up his tracks by destroying evidence. Prosecutors allege they were destroyed to try and cover his tracks. "These efforts appeared calculated to delay or prevent the government from gaining a full understanding of the seriousness and scale of his conduct," prosecutors allege in the court documents. The documents contain sensitive information about US allies — like Israel, South Korea, and Egypt — and also its adversaries, like China, Russia, and North Korea.

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