While video game media titan Activision Blizzard, Inc. is planning on laying off 8% of their massive workforce, a total 400 employees at one of the company’s offices are still unsure if they are being cut. Back in 2007, Activision revealed that it would merge with Vivendi Games. As Vivendi Games is a holding company to Blizzard Entertainment, the company of Activision Blizzard, Inc. was quickly forged. Well, during the recent fiscal fourth quarter results conference call, CEO Bobby Kotick revealed that the company would be laying off numerous employees following a demand to “reduce complexity and duplication.” “We’re staffing up production on our incubation efforts faster, and increasing our investment in live services, in our tools, in our Battle.net platform, and in new areas like our fast growing esports and advertising efforts, but all with an intense focus on excellence, so we never disappoint our players.” Kotick said. “Our…
Streaming has become an increasingly popular practice through the recent years. With the coming success of the platform, more than a few strange occurrences have followed. Now it would appear that one YouTube streamer has been shot while allegedly antagonizing a local security guard. Zhoie Perez, known as Furry Potato Live to her fans, streams content on YouTube. The popular streamer centers much of her content on observing local law enforcement. This time, however, the streamer decided to do a little more than simply watch on. As reported by BuzzFeed News, the popular streamer recently recorded a live stream of herself spending some time around the Etz Jacob Congregation and Ohel Chana High School building in Los Angeles. A local security guard, later identified as 44-year-old Edduin Zelayagrunfeld, confronted Perez and asked her to leave the premises. Perez allegedly began provoking the armed security guard. Some viewers have since refuted…
Lawmakers have always been critical of video game culture. Now a Pennsylvania official is looking to implement a “sin tax” on certain video games. As reported by GameSpot, a bill has been proposed by Pennsylvania lawmakers to provide a 10% excise tax on certain games. Known as House Bill 109, the bill hopes to provide a “sin tax” on games rated M or Adults-Only by the ESRB. The taxed money would then be funneled into a “Digital Protection for School Safety Account.” The account is intended to enhance security measures at schools, following recent shootings. Republican state representative Chris Quinn proposed the bill back in 2018. However, the bill did not make it out of the committee during the 2018 legislation. Consequently, a similarly worded bill has since been proposed. Back in Sept., Quinn offered the following statement on the matter. “In the near future, I plan to introduce legislation…
The 22nd annual DICE Awards, held by the Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences, just went down in Las Vegas. To perhaps few gamers’ surprise, Sony Santa Monica’s God of War completely stole the show. God of War won the highly praised Game of the Year award, while also managing to wrangle in a whopping nine awards from the total 23 categories. Speaking at the event, Meggan Scavio, president of the Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences, offered a few words. “Tonight, at the 22nd Annual DICE Awards, the interactive entertainment industry gathered together from all over the world to celebrate their trailblazers – the very best in video games and the teams who – with their amazing talent and vision – have created boundary defying experiences that have captivated global audiences. On behalf of the Academy, I congratulate not only this year’s incredible nominees, but the esteemed winners chosen by…
Kingdom Hearts 3, released Jan. 29, has been snaring the attention of JRPG fans worldwide. For those playing the massive title, it’s time to step up your game. Released for PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, Kingdom Hearts 3 features the return of longtime protagonist Sora. In a battle of good vs. evil, Sora is once again tasked with gathering the power of the keyblade, as well as the strength of the game’s incredible supporting cast. Having sold over 5 million copies within the first week of release, the game has already accrued a mass of players. So, if you want to get in front of the pack, it’s time to up your game. One sure fire way to set yourself apart is to do what few accomplished. Find the ultima weapon. This may not be the most powerful weapon after a lot of DLC has come along, but it still…
‘Swatting’ is a growing phenomenon within the gaming world. Now Peter Simeti, founder of Alterna Comics, has become the latest alleged victim in an open ‘swatting’ case. ‘Swatting’ occurs when a person phones in a false report to 911. Claiming that there is a violent, terrorist related threat occurring within a home, the caller intentionally has armed SWAT teams sent to the recipient’s home. The act is considered a prank to some, but often ends as a fatal final moment for those on the wrong end of the supposed joke. Back in 2018, for instance, 25-year-old Tyler Barriss plead guilty to a series of prank calls to police. Among them, one of the supposed pranks ended in the death of 28-year-old Andrew Finch. As reported by CBSLA, Wichita Police Dept. Deputy Chief Troy Livingston made the following statement concerning the matter. “We believe this incident was a case of swatting,…
Video game titans Blizzard and Activision joined forces way back in 2007. That being said, it would appear that the merged gaming company is now making some changes Despite record high revenue for the year of 2018, the company will now be laying off over 700 employees. Back in 2007, Activision announced that the company would merge its assets with that of Vivendi Games. Among other things, Vivendi Games is a holding company to Blizzard Entertainment. Consequently, Activision Blizzard, Inc. was born. During the recent Activision Blizzard fourth quarter results conference call, CEO Bobby Kotick confirmed that the company would be performing lay offs following a desire to “reduce complexity and duplication.” Kotick’s full statement concerning the matter may be viewed below. “We’re staffing up production on our incubation efforts faster, and increasing our investment in live services, in our tools, in our Battle.net platform, and in new areas like…
It’s a tough roster, but someone has to be number one.
Based on the hit book series, HBO’s Game of Thrones has deeply embedded itself within American popular culture. The television phenomenon is now nearing its final season, leaving hardcore fans wanting more. Luckily, there is actually more to come. Referred to as The Long Night, a prequel spin-off series to Game of Thrones has been green lit for production. In 2017, HBO gave the go ahead for a total four episodes of the prequel. The series is rumored to take place 5,000 years before the events of Game of Thrones and is set to star Naomi Watts. Speaking to EW, HBO programming president Casey Bloys revealed that the series is expected to begin production early this summer. Bloys previously claimed that the series will not air until one year after the finale of Game of Thrones. With that in mind, fans can expect a summer 2020 release for the spin-off…
Polish gaming studio CD Projekt Red has made a name for themselves through their incredibly successful The Witcher series. While things have become tense between the development studio and the author of the original The Witcher novels, things have seemingly reached an amicable end between the two. Most recently CD Projekt Red released the The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt for PS4, Xbox One and PC. The third in the series, The Witcher 3 garnered massive sales numbers and has earned critical praise around the world. However, the game series is actually not the first thing to bear The Witcher name. The Witcher is an original series of novels and short stories authored by Andrzej Sapkowski. However, Sapkowski sold The Witcher rights for video game development to CD Projekt Red for a lump sum. Speaking to Eurogamer, Sapkowski stated “I was stupid enough to sell them rights to the whole bunch.…