Activision Blizzard

Paltalk Sues Multiplayer Game Publishers Over Chat Technology

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on September 18, 2009 - 10:35am.
New York - Paltalk, a provider of online chat and instant messaging technology, has filed patent infringement claims against a number of massively multiplayer online game publishers, alleging they are using its real-time messaging technology without licenses, Mass High Tech reported.

Activision, Future Team on "World of Warcraft" Magazine

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on August 20, 2009 - 11:26am.
Los Angeles - Video game publisher Activision Blizzard (NASD: ATVI), a unit of Vivendi, has teamed with video game media publisher Future to launch "World of Warcraft: The Magazine," a quarterly publication about the popular massively multiplayer online roleplaying game. The ad-free, 150 page magazine will be available for a $40 annual subscription in the U.S., and will also be translated into French, German and Spanish. World of Warcraft counts over 11.5 million players worldwide.

Blizzard Taps Sam Raimi to Direct "World of Warcraft" Movie

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 22, 2009 - 11:55am.
Los Angeles - Video game publisher Activision Blizzard's (NASD: ATVI) Blizzard Entertainment said on Wednesday that it has signed a deal with horror maven Sam Raimi to direct the movie based on its popular "World of Warcraft" massively multiplayer online roleplaying game. Raimi also directed the "Spider-Man" triology, and more recently "Drag Me to Hell."

Report: U.S. Game Sales Plunge 31% to $1.17B in June

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 17, 2009 - 7:18am.
Port Washington, N.Y. - U.S. video game sales plunged 31% in June, to $1.17 billion, the most precipitous drop since the industry saw a 41% year-over-year decline in September 2000, according to figures from market research firm NPD Group. "This is one of the first months where I think the impact of the economy is clearly reflected in the sales numbers," said NPD analyst Anita Frazier.

Activision Blizzard Chairman Quits Vivendi; Replaced by Levy

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on May 5, 2009 - 12:46pm.
Paris - French media conglomerate Vivendi announced on Tuesday that Rene Penisson has stepped down as chairman of game publisher Activision Blizzard (NASD: ATVI). He will be replaced in that position by Vivendi's company chairman, Jean-Bernard Levy.

Activision CEO Bobby Kotick confirms DJ Hero Game With Physical Turntables

Authored by Jay Baage on January 30, 2009 - 11:07am.

Davos, Switzerland - Activision Blizzard (NASD: ATVI) CEO Bobby Kotick confirmed on Friday that a new music-centered video game called "DJ Hero" is in development and due out in 2009:
"We have this product called DJ Hero coming out later this year, which is a turntable that you actually can play competitively and spin discs and mix songs," he said during a CNBC interview.

Report: U.S. Game Sales Rise 10% in November to $2.91B

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 12, 2008 - 8:47am.

Port Washington, N.Y. - Once again bucking the overall economic downturn, U.S. video game sales were up 10% in November, to $2.91 billion, while year-to-date sales are up 22%, to $16.04 billion compared with $13.14 billion at the same point a year ago. "One reason for the continued strength of the industry compared to other forms of entertainment comes from a number of sources," said NPD analyst Anita Frazier. "Certainly, the expanded audience for gaming due to the availability of a wider variety of compelling content is a strong contributor. Economic factors are also at play given that a video game is a relatively inexpensive form of entertainment for the hours of value it provides. Our Consumer Spending Indicator shows that video games is the category consumers are least likely to cut back on this holiday."

Microsoft's Massive to Serve Game Ads for Activision Blizzard

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on December 3, 2008 - 1:32pm.

New York - Microsoft's (NASD: MSFT) Massive Inc. in-game advertising unit on Wednesday announced a multi-year deal to serve ads within 18 of Activision Blizzard's (NASD: ATVI) titles, as well as on the company's various websites and Battle.net online game service. The deal includes the territories of the U.S., Canada, Europe, South Korea and Australia. Massive also said it partnered with Integri to manage Web-based ads for Activision Blizzard, whose titles include "Guitar Hero" and "World of Warcraft."

Activision Blizzard Plans Digital Store to Compete with iTunes

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 14, 2008 - 10:16am.

San Francisco - Activision Blizzard (NASD: ATVI), the company recently formed through the merger of Activision and Vivendi's games division, is considering launching an alternative digital music platform to compete with Apple's (NASD: AAPL) iTunes, company CEO Bobby Kotick said in an interview with the Financial Times. "I don't think there have been a lot of credible alternatives to iTunes but Guitar Hero certainly has that potential," Kotick told FT.

Activision Blizzard Plans 2-for-1 Stock Split

Authored by Mark Hefflinger on July 11, 2008 - 8:08am.

Santa Monica, Calif. - Activision Blizzard (NASD: ATVI), the company recently created through the merger of video game publisher Activision with Vivendi's games division, announced on Friday that it will effect a two-for-one stock split.