Without getting into the nitty-gritty details, Activision Blizzard is expected to have the highest profit margins in the industry. Activision Blizzard should also continue to enjoy bagiggles of cash flowing into its coffers unless franchises like World of Warcraft and Guitar Hero suddenly self-destruct.
BEHOLD: Activision Blizzard is born
Without getting into the nitty-gritty details, Activision Blizzard is expected to have the highest profit margins in the industry. Activision Blizzard should also continue to enjoy bagiggles of cash flowing into its coffers unless franchises like World of Warcraft and Guitar Hero suddenly self-destruct.
Guitar Hero III DLC brings Kaiser Chiefs, Sex Pistols, Kasabian
Following the Motörhead set earlier this month, more Guitar Hero III downloadable content lands on the PS3 and Xbox 360 today, with the three-song Isle of Wight Track Pack now available on both consoles for purchase and download.
The pack features "Problems [live at Brixton] by The Sex Pistols, "Shoot the Runner" by Kasabian, and "I Predict a Riot" by Kaiser Chiefs. The set costs 500 Microsoft Points, or $6.25 USD on PS3. For a taste, check out the above video for Kasabian's "Shoot the Runner." It's kinda rockin'.
[Via X3F]
EA knocks Activision/Vivendi for leaving ESA
EA will not be leaving the ESA, but Brown urges the organization to make a strong case to remaining members. He insists that it's the ESA's job to "prove" that membership is for the good of the publishers, but believes with Activision/Vivendi leaving, along with LucasArts announcing its departure last week, that the organization will be proving itself more. Now, whether that proving is in the public spotlight or behind the scenes (which is normal for a lobbying group) is something the ESA is going to have to work out after these very public publisher exits.
No WoW causes Vivendi Q1 sales to drop 24%
With Vivendi expecting the next WoW expansion, Wrath of the Lich King, sometime later in 2008, we'll plan on a Naaru size jolt to Activision Blizzard's cash flow at that time. For now, Vivendi will just have to enjoy the disgusting amounts of cash it gets from WoW, instead of the nauseating amounts Activision Blizzard will make from the WotLK release.
Pachter expects strong Activision Q4 financial results
Pachter further notes that Activision may see revenues decline this fiscal year as sales from Guitar Hero III and Call of Duty 4 wane, though the big thing for investors remains the approaching merger with Vivendi Games. Activision Blizzard should be a reality in the next few weeks and Pachter maintains a "Buy" rating on the company.
Breaking: Activision and Vivendi discontinue ESA membership

The ESA's Rich Taylor, senior VP of communications and research (full quote after the break) says, "We can confirm that Activision and Vivendi Games opted to discontinue their membership. The ESA remains dedicated to advancing our industrys objectives such as protecting intellectual property, preserving First Amendment rights, and fostering a beneficial environment for the entire industry."
Continue reading Breaking: Activision and Vivendi discontinue ESA membership
Activision closes Underground Development studio
Underground -- formerly known as Z-Axis -- was acquired by Activision back in 2002, and was renamed to Underground just last month. The studio worked on the Dave Mirra BMX series, the Aggressive Inline series, and was notably the developer of the shudder-inducing BMX XXX. Most recently, the studio completed work on X-Men 3: The Last Stand, and the port of Enemy Territories: Quake Wars for the Playstation 3, due out in May.
EU greenlights Activision-Vivendi merger
The Commission essentially needed to approve that there weren't any antitrust issues in the mega-merger. In its report the group stated that there are several effective competitors in the market, such as EA and the game console manufacturers. Guess it's time to start ordering the office stationary.
Family Album: Activision
We've got you covered.
(Also: Check out our other family albums.)
Variety: Sierra devs need to justify games after Activision merger
Variety believes games expected this year like Bourne, Prototype, Brutal Legend and Ghostbusters are safe, but that games for '09 (titles that we'd probably hear about for the first time at E3) are all in limbo. For example, will there be another Bourne game when it conflicts with Activision's James Bond license? The fate of Sierra titles now lies in the whims of Activision execs.
*In case you're justifiably young enough not to know who Roberta Williams is, here's a link.
Potential Call of Duty MMO symbolizes 'natural evolution' of Activision Blizzard
Blizzard to help get Guitar Hero into Asia
Kotick also brought up the possibility of adding other instruments to the Guitar Hero franchise, and idea we'd humbly suggest he move from the "Good Thought" folder to the "You Have To Do This Or No One Will Play Your Game Anymore" folder.
Former EA exec: Kotick's WoW remark meant to scare competition
Buttler tells the site that Kotick is just defending the merger and believes WoW is just the beginning of the "connected era." Buttler goes on to use some fancy buzzwords but dismisses the idea that nobody can take on WoW no matter what the investment. He even says if developers disagree with Kotick that they should call his company. Trion is currently starting up and allegedly has products "well under way," but currently has no announcements.
Wanna take on World of Warcraft? Got a billion dollars?
Admittedly, Kotick has a horse in this race (what with his company owning the game now) and he could just be trying to scare off all comers. But when you look at the game's crazy (and preposterously still growing) fan base, it's hard to really dispute his case.
Activision investor sues over Vivendi merger
Since Vivendi comes out on top in the merger -- with 52% majority ownership of Activision -- the Wayne County Employees' Retirement System believes Activision didn't think of the stockholders when accepting the deal, which it claims otherwise could have proven more lucrative. No further details of the lawsuit are known at this time. The Activision Blizzard merger is scheduled to occur sometime in the first half of this year.
[Via Next-Gen]






























