The agreement follows Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
The review focuses on Microsoft's revised cloud gaming proposal. It is part of the UK Competition and Markets Authority's regulatory actions.
The principles include mandatory probability disclosures for loot boxes. They are aimed at protecting players in the UK market.
This is an independent investigation into loot boxes. It runs concurrently with UKIE's new player-protection principles.
The new tier is priced at £10 monthly or £60 annually. It expands the GamePass suite to Core, Console, PC, and Ultimate tiers.
The schedule covers PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and mobile platforms. Genres range from action-platformers to tactical RPGs.
It covers regulatory updates, subscription service changes, and new-game schedules. The focus remains on the UK market but includes global releases.
The publication serves as a weekly industry briefing, summarizing key developments in the gaming sector for the week of 17–23 July 2023. It highlights regulatory and corporate actions, such as Microsoft’s 10‑year agreement with PlayStation to keep Call of Duty on the platform following Activision Blizzard’s acquisition, and the UK Competition and Markets Authority’s six‑week review of Microsoft’s cloud gaming proposal. The UK trade body UKIE has introduced 11 principles aimed at protecting players, including mandatory probability disclosures for loot boxes; the UK government is concurrently investigating loot‑box impacts. Microsoft’s Xbox Live Gold will be rebranded as GamePass Core on 14 September, priced at £10 monthly or £60 annually, expanding the GamePass suite to Core, Console, PC, and Ultimate tiers.
The briefing also lists new releases for the week, covering a mix of platforms—PC, PlayStation, Nintendo Switch, Xbox, and mobile—and genres ranging from action‑platformers to tactical RPGs. Titles such as “Mr. Run and Jump,” “Remnant 2,” “Ratchet & Clank: Rift Apart,” and “Arcadian Atlas” are noted, along with their developers and publishers.
Geographically, the focus remains on the UK market but includes global releases. The scope covers regulatory updates, subscription service changes, and a comprehensive new‑game schedule across major consoles and PC. No specific survey methodology is cited; the briefing compiles publicly available announcements and industry statements to inform stakeholders of current market movements.