Episode 106: Activision Blizzard Can’t Slip the Hook (News Show)

Oct 26, 2021

Activision Blizzard has tried and failed to pause the lawsuit brought by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Also: NPD acquired, death threats hit Abandoned dev Blue Box, Microsoft still hungry for more acquisitions, and Unity makes moves.

You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise!

TIME STAMPS

• [00:02:08] - Unity launches multiplayer service suite
• [00:11:57] - Valve learns from Steam Machines mistakes
• [00:22:35] - Abandoned dev Blue Box facing death threats
• [00:31:58] - Investment Interlude
• [00:53:14] - Quick Hits
• [01:14:52] - NPD for September 2021
• [01:22:00] - Activision Blizzard tries, fails to dodge lawsuit

SOURCES

• See at a glance how games will play on Steam Deck
• The Road Ahead for Xbox with Phil Spencer | Wall Street Journal
• Activision Blizzard is trying to get the discrimination suit thrown out of court | The Verge
• Activision Blizzard fired 20 employees over harassment claims | FT 

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Scopely to Acquire GSN Games From Sony Pictures Entertainment
• Koch Media acquires Splatter Connect | Games Industry
• The Molasses Flood video games development studio joins CD PROJEKT Group
• THE NPD GROUP TO BE ACQUIRED BY HELLMAN & FRIEDMAN
• Announcement on Grasshopper Manufacture Inc.Joining NetEase Games
• ironSource to Acquire Bidalgo, Further Deepening Its Platform Offering for App Developers With a Full-Stack Marketing Solution
• Spin Master Establishes Spin Master Ventures to Accelerate Growth in Key Strategic Areas
• FAZE CLAN… TO BECOME A PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANY THROUGH MERGER WITH B. RILEY PRINCIPAL 150 MERGER CORP.
• Galaxy Interactive Raises an Additional $325 Million for its Second Interactive Content and Technology Venture Fund
• PIEPACKER RAISES $12M IN SERIES A FUNDING LED BY LEGO VENTURES
• Kazoo Games buzzes to the tune of $12 million investment for midcore, casual game development