Episode 106: Activision Blizzard Can’t Slip the Hook (News Show)

Activision Blizzard has tried and failed to pause the lawsuit brought by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing. Also: NPD acquired, death threats hit Abandoned dev Blue Box, Microsoft still hungry for more acquisitions, and Unity makes moves. You can support Virtual Economy’s growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! TIME STAMPS [00:02:08] - Unity launches multiplayer service suite [00:11:57] - Valve learns from Steam Machines mistakes [00:22:35] - Abandoned dev Blue Box facing death threats [00:31:58] - Investment Interlude [00:53:14] - Quick Hits [01:14:52] - NPD for September 2021 [01:22:00] - Activision Blizzard tries, fails to dodge lawsuit SOURCES See at a glance how games will play on Steam Deck The Road Ahead for Xbox with Phil Spencer | Wall Street Journal Activision Blizzard is trying to get the discrimination suit thrown out of court | The Verge Activision Blizzard fired 20 employees over harassment claims | FT  INVESTMENT INTERLUDE Scopely to Acquire GSN Games From Sony Pictures Entertainment Koch Media acquires Splatter Connect | Games Industry The Molasses Flood video games development studio joins CD PROJEKT Group THE NPD GROUP TO BE ACQUIRED BY HELLMAN & FRIEDMAN Announcement on Grasshopper Manufacture Inc.Joining NetEase Games ironSource to Acquire Bidalgo, Further Deepening Its Platform Offering for App Developers With a Full-Stack Marketing Solution Spin Master Establishes Spin Master Ventures to Accelerate Growth in Key Strategic Areas FAZE CLAN… TO BECOME A PUBLICLY LISTED COMPANY THROUGH MERGER WITH B. RILEY PRINCIPAL 150 MERGER CORP. Galaxy Interactive Raises an Additional $325 Million for its Second Interactive Content and Technology Venture Fund PIEPACKER RAISES $12M IN SERIES A FUNDING LED BY LEGO VENTURES Kazoo Games buzzes to the tune of $12 million investment for midcore, casual game development