Call of Duty
GameBy Infinity Ward · Released Oct 29, 2003
Documents about Call of Duty
Activision's Death by 418 Cuts: Did the Anti-trust Watchdog Go Beyond Its Call of Duty?
This analysis examines the UK Competition and Markets Authority’s (CMA) decision to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, arguing that the regulator overstepped its mandate based on flawed projections of the nascent cloud gaming market.
- The CMA’s decision to block the Microsoft-Activision merger relies on projections for the cloud gaming market that lack support from historical data or Activision’s current business model, which generates zero cloud-based revenue.
- Historical industry data contradicts the regulator's cannibalization concerns, showing that new distribution channels like mobile gaming have historically expanded the total console market from $24 billion to $68 billion.
- The CMA’s 418-page report displays a disproportionate focus on incumbents, referencing Sony 267 times and Microsoft’s Game Pass 168 times, while mentioning Apple only 12 times despite the mobile sector's significance.
Microsoft's xCloud: Market Forecast and Analysis
The cloud gaming sector remains a niche but evolving segment of the broader video game industry, with Microsoft’s xCloud service positioned for significant future growth despite modest initial financial performance.
- Microsoft’s xCloud is projected to become the market leader in cloud gaming by 2026, with annual revenues expected to grow from under $50 million in 2021 to $450 million.
- The global cloud gaming market is forecast to expand by 300% over a five-year period, growing from $400 million in 2021 to $1.05 billion by 2026.
- xCloud’s global share of monthly active users for paid cloud gaming surged from 30–40% in 2021 to 60–70% in 2022, surpassing PlayStation Now.
OverActive Media Signs New Deals With AMD and LG UltraGear, Renews With SCUF and Nielsen Sports
OverActive Media, the parent company of Toronto Ultra, Toronto Defiant, and MAD Lions, has expanded its commercial portfolio through new sponsorship agreements with AMD and LG UltraGear.
- OverActive Media has secured new sponsorship agreements with AMD and LG UltraGear while renewing existing partnerships with SCUF Gaming and Nielsen Sports.
- AMD will collaborate with the Toronto Ultra and Toronto Defiant franchises on content and activations, including serving as the presenting sponsor for the Toronto Ultra Challengers Tournament in May 2023.
- LG UltraGear has been named the presenting partner for the Call of Duty League Major IV tournament and will engage in broader marketing activations with the company.
Unity to Layoff 600 Employees
Unity Software announced a significant workforce reduction in May 2023, confirming the layoff of 600 employees. This figure represents approximately 8% of the company’s total staff.
- Unity Software is laying off 600 employees, representing 8% of its total workforce.
- The company expects to incur $26 million in costs related to the restructuring, covering severance, benefits, and employee transition expenses.
- These charges are expected to have a material financial impact on the company's second quarter of 2023.
Poison Pill: CMA Ruling Includes 10-Year Prohibition on Microsoft’s Activision Blizzard Takeover
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally blocked Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, citing significant concerns regarding the impact on the domestic game streaming market.
- The UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has formally blocked Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard, citing concerns over the impact on the game streaming market.
- The CMA’s final report includes a 10-year prohibition preventing Microsoft from attempting to merge with Activision Blizzard, barring a significant change in circumstances.
- Both Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have publicly announced their intention to appeal the CMA's decision.
Activision Blizzard, Blocked
The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked Microsoft’s proposed $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in April 2023, citing significant concerns regarding the future of the cloud gaming market.
- In April 2023, the UK's Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) blocked Microsoft’s proposed $70 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- The CMA cited concerns that the merger would stifle competition in the cloud gaming market by allowing Microsoft to restrict access to major titles like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft.
- Regulators rejected Microsoft’s proposed ten-year licensing agreements with Nintendo and Steam, deeming the concessions insufficient to prevent market dominance.
UK Competition and Markets Authority Prevents Microsoft’s Proposed Purchase of Activision Blizzard
The UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) formally blocked Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard in April 2023, citing significant concerns regarding the preservation of competition and innovation within the cloud gaming sector.
- In April 2023, the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) formally blocked Microsoft’s proposed acquisition of Activision Blizzard to prevent a monopoly in the cloud gaming sector.
- The CMA identified that Microsoft already holds a dominant 60% to 70% share of the global cloud gaming market, supported by its Azure and Windows infrastructure.
- Regulators concluded that acquiring major franchises like Call of Duty, Overwatch, and World of Warcraft would give Microsoft a commercial incentive to restrict these titles to its own cloud platforms.
UK’s Competition and Markets Authority Blocks Microsoft’s Acquisition of Activision Blizzard
The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) formally blocked Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in April 2023.
- The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has officially blocked Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
- The regulatory rejection is primarily driven by concerns regarding the impact on the cloud gaming market, rather than potential exclusivity of the Call of Duty franchise.
- The CMA concluded that Microsoft’s proposed remedies for the cloud gaming sector were insufficient, citing a failure to support diverse business models and non-Windows PC operating systems.
OverActive Media Reports $27.1M Net Loss for 2022
OverActive Media reported a net loss of $27.1 million for the 2022 fiscal year, a significant increase from the $14.23 million loss recorded in 2021.
- OverActive Media reported a $27.1 million net loss for 2022, largely driven by $25.11 million in impairment charges related to its Overwatch League and Call of Duty League assets.
- The company reduced the book value of its Overwatch League assets to $4.44 million and its Call of Duty League assets to $1.8 million, citing macroeconomic conditions and Activision Blizzard’s failure to generate sufficient league revenue.
- Total revenue remained stagnant at $10.42 million in 2022 compared to $10.39 million in 2021, despite a 23% year-over-year revenue increase in the business operations segment to $5.98 million.
Industry Veteran Sam Braithwaite Joins ESL FACEIT Group
ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has appointed industry veteran Sam Braithwaite as its new vice president of game ecosystems for mobile.
- ESL FACEIT Group (EFG) has appointed industry veteran Sam Braithwaite as the new vice president of game ecosystems for mobile.
- Braithwaite will lead the strategic direction of the Snapdragon Pro Series, a mobile esports circuit operated in partnership with Qualcomm Technologies and Samsung.
- Prior to joining EFG, Braithwaite served as the global director of esports at Activision Blizzard for nearly four years, managing titles including Hearthstone and World of Warcraft.
Revenant Esports Launches New Competition Series, Highlights PUMA Game Crossover
The Indian esports organization Revenant Esports has launched a new YouTube competition series titled Revenant Collide, designed to integrate brand promotion into competitive gaming content.
- Indian esports organization Revenant Esports has launched a new YouTube competition series titled "Revenant Collide" to promote its partnership with PUMA.
- The series debut features esports athletes competing in EA’s "Need For Speed Unbound" while wearing the PUMA x NFS apparel collection, which originally launched in February 2023.
- PUMA serves as the official kit partner for Revenant Esports, a sponsorship deal that was established in October 2022.
UK’s Competition and Markets Authority Changes Preliminary Findings on Microsoft – Activision Blizzard Deal
The United Kingdom’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) shifted its stance on Microsoft’s proposed $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in April 2023, narrowing its scope of concerns regarding the deal.
- The UK’s Competition and Markets Authority (CMA) has updated its preliminary findings to conclude that Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard will not result in a substantial lessening of competition in the UK console gaming market.
- The CMA’s revised position is based on new evidence suggesting that the cost to Microsoft of withholding the 'Call of Duty' franchise from PlayStation would outweigh any potential financial gains from such a strategy.
- The CMA is scheduled to issue its final, binding ruling on the acquisition on Wednesday, April 26, 2023.
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