Blunt End To Merger – Episode 420

In this episode, I started with the Microsoft Activision-Blizzard merger, and the FTCs unsuccessful attempt to fight it. CMA now seems to want to work with Microsoft on the merger. A group of unnamed gamers tried to get a Supreme Court Judge to block the merger. Hopefully, I won’t have to start episodes talking about the merger anymore! Also briefly talked about Diablo Immortal, and gave you some information that might help you through Season 1. I haven’t finished the storyline in the game yet, so I can’t get in. Things mentioned in this episode: The Hill posted an article titled: “Appeals court denies FTC bid to temporarily halt Microsoft-Activision deal” The Wall Street Journal posted an article titled: “FTC Loses Latest Bid to Halt Microsoft-Activision Merger” CNBC posted an article titled: “Microsoft and Activision agree to extend $69 billion deal deadline in wait for UK approval” Engadget posted an article titled: “FTC puts internal trial over Microsoft-Activision deal on hold” Congressman Kelly Armstrong (Republican) posted a press release titled: “Armstrong, Colleagues Call on FTC to Drop Opposition to Microsoft Merger and Return to Commonsense Antitrust Policies” The Hill posted an article titled: “Kagan rejects emergency request to block Microsoft, Activision Blizzard merger” (NOTE: Elena Kagan is a U.S. Supreme Court Justice) BusinessWire posted a press release titled: “Activision Blizzard Announces Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results” The Verge posted an article titled: “Sony agrees to 10-year Call of Duty deal with Microsoft” IGN posted an article titled: “Xbox Has Signed a ‘Binding Agreement’ to Keep Call of Duty on PlayStation After Its Acquisition of Activision Blizzard” The Verge posted an article titled: “Thousands of Call of Duty fans are playing classic Xbox 360 titles thanks to a server fix” Microsoft posted an article titled: “Introducing Xbox Game Pass Core, Coming This September” @Rhykker posted a thread on Twitter about his take on the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard @ActuallyArcane was features on the Blizzard Launcher for the start of Season One Mike Ybarra (President of Blizzard) @Qwik tweeted about BlizzCon Rod Fergusson (SVP, GM of all things Diablo