Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard King for $69 Billion on 2023-10-13

[ChuckeRearmed]

You'll be pleased to know you have me wishing for a modernised WoW2

I am not sure if WoW2 is happening. Will be very difficult to reach the same amount of players I believe.
Unless they go PSO2 route where it runs on top of the previous game and you can even return back. Seems like the only way to go for long running games with stable population.

 

[cheapchips]

I am not sure if WoW2 is happening. Will be very difficult to reach the same amount of players I believe.
Unless they go PSO2 route where it runs on top of the previous game and you can even return back. Seems like the only way to go for long running games with stable population.

It's only a fantasy, so to speak. If you did another 'themepark' action bar RPG, why not just revamp WoW some more? Glad they're taking the risk on something new that doesn't have the baggage.

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

It's only a fantasy, so to speak. If you did another 'themepark' action bar RPG, why not just revamp WoW some more? Glad they're taking the risk on something new that doesn't have the baggage.

You mean recently announced game? It was a bummer that it is gonna be a first person game...

 

[cheapchips]

You mean recently announced game? It was a bummer that it is gonna be a first person game...

Not sure if they've confirmed it's first person, just that it's a survival game. That genre's ripe for the streamlined/high polish treatment Blizzard are capable of at their best.

 

[Silent_Buddha]

If the acquisition goes though, here's what I'd most like to see come out of the acquisition.

Starcraft: Ghost finally getting made. Gdamnit, that game was the only reason I bought an original Xbox (it was going to be an Xbox exclusive) and it got cancelled! ARGH!

MS have plenty of studios capable of making that dream of mine come true. IMO, Arkane Studios would be able to make an incredible Starcraft: Ghost game.

Please let this happen!

Regards,
SB

 

[Malo]

I just want a Diablo 4 that isn't neutered so they can sell us our nutsack back.

 

[Silent_Buddha]

I just want a Diablo 4 that isn't neutered so they can sell us our nutsack back.

Man, if they can make a proper sequel to Diablo II instead of the relative crap that Diablo III was, I'd be quite happy. Diablo III was fun, but it wasn't nearly as fun as Diablo II. Also, F-U Blizzard for killing off Deckard Cain.

Regards,
SB

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

Now that I think about, I wonder if they can push Mobile Game Pass under the guise of King? Like make people subscribe to Game Pass on mobile and it gives perks for the games made by King? And of course the access to XCloud games.

Not to mention I remember those deals with mobile providers in regards of Game Pass...

 

[Shifty Geezer]

Man, if they can make a proper sequel to Diablo II instead of the relative crap that Diablo III was, I'd be quite happy. Diablo III was fun, but it wasn't nearly as fun as Diablo II. Also, F-U Blizzard for killing off Deckard Cain.

I bought the DII remaster and didn't really like it much. Prefer DIII, and BGDA/CON ahead of both. I kinda feel for its time, maybe D2 was amazing, but all those numbers, excessive loot, and general focus on 'builds' makes it a very creature to the purer DnD hack'n'slash I prefer. If D4 is more like 2 than 3, I'll probably give it a miss. And I wonder what that would do to the franchise seeing as D3 has sold soooo many copies, making its style the more known and appreciated that the D2 style Diablo.

 

[Silent_Buddha]

I bought the DII remaster and didn't really like it much. Prefer DIII, and BGDA/CON ahead of both. I kinda feel for its time, maybe D2 was amazing, but all those numbers, excessive loot, and general focus on 'builds' makes it a very creature to the purer DnD hack'n'slash I prefer. If D4 is more like 2 than 3, I'll probably give it a miss. And I wonder what that would do to the franchise seeing as D3 has sold soooo many copies, making its style the more known and appreciated that the D2 style Diablo.

Yeah, I'm not expecting it to happen. Path of Exile is the spiritual successor to Diablo 2. Great game, but it requires the player to be able to either [1] be intelligent and good at math or [2] copy the builds of people that are intelligent and good at math or [3] have a lots of time available to experiment with builds to find one that is really good. Basically take Diablo II and expand upon it as a base.

Diablo III basically throws out most of Diablo II removing the need to think much about how to build your character and instead just focuses on mindless action. Great if you are just in for a lark, but for me there was nothing to really engage me after I'd finished the game. Hence I still play Diablo II (before the remaster which I still haven't purchased) from time to time but haven't touched Diablo III in a few years now.

But I totally get where you're coming from and why you might like D3 more. It's definitely more action oriented and arcadey.

Also, I wish they'd make proper sequels for BGDA/CON, I enjoyed those on console for what they were. Not as engaging for me as D2 (different strokes and all), but they were still really fun, especially in couch co-op.

Regards,
SB

 

[arandomguy]

I believe Overwatch 2 will be a new sku with a new purchase needed. So I doubt it will come to playstation.

I think it was rumored that Overwatch 2 is gonna be update over existing Overwatch. But no idea what's gonna happen considering the internal turmoil in the company and delays.

Not exactly, it's also not a rumor per say as it's actually on their product page.

With how it's been presented and what's officially been said is basically that existing Overwatch will essentially be upgraded to the new engine and assets required for PvP. Overwatch 2 the game itself is a separate entity as it's focus is the PvE component. Essentially there's 2 games basically, a PvP game and a PvE game.

Current Overwatch players will battle side-by-side with Overwatch 2 players in PvP multiplayer; they’ll also be able to play Overwatch 2 heroes and maps.

https://overwatch2.playoverwatch.com/en-us/whats-next

Who knows how things will change. I believe the rumors have been that the PvP itself will move to be fully F2P and transition to a service model as well even prior to this acquisition.

 

[Remij]

I'm wondering how Microsoft is going to handle merging Activision/Blizzard's game portfolio into their ecosystem on PC.. by which I mean GamePass and Steam.

The last couple CoD's have been only available on the Battle.net app.. obviously you have all of Blizzard's IP as well being exclusive to the BNet app. On the GamePass side of the equation.. it's obvious they are going to take those games and implement them into the Xbox App and Xbox Live. However, the question I have is whether or not they will discontinue the Battle.net app entirely and transfer everything over to Steam natively as well?

Do you guys think that's a possibility? Perhaps they allow you to associate your Bnet account with your Steam/Xbox account and your games automatically get added to your Steam Library?

I think if they plan on doing this they have to find an elegant solution. They know the importance of their games being on Steam, so for new entries I'm not worried.. I'm just mostly wondering about the games we already currently own on the Bnet app.

I actually think people might prefer they keep the Bnet app/framework and instead rebrand that and make it their gaming application going forward.. lol but I doubt that's going to happen.

Seems like it could be messy, unless I'm grossly overthinking this.

I just think it would be cool if we could actually remove some of these launchers. Get rid of the Bnet app and Bethesda launcher altogether eventually. Having everything on Steam and the Xbox app would be nice.

 

[AlphaWolf]

I would rather they keep the bnet app. I seriously doubt they will want to give valve a bunch of money so I don't see steam being a viable option.

 

[Remij]

I would rather they keep the bnet app. I seriously doubt they will want to give valve a bunch of money so I don't see steam being a viable option.

Their new releases will definitely be on Steam. Regardless of the 30/20% cuts Steam will take, they understand how important it is to have those games reach that audience. It not only will improve user engagement, but also retention and continued monetization.

Microsoft's entire schtick right now is "playing games where you want to play them".

 

[ChuckeRearmed]

The last couple CoD's have been only available on the Battle.net app.. obviously you have all of Blizzard's IP as well being exclusive to the BNet app. On the GamePass side of the equation.. it's obvious they are going to take those games and implement them into the Xbox App and Xbox Live. However, the question I have is whether or not they will discontinue the Battle.net app entirely and transfer everything over to Steam natively as well?

Battle.net is much more superior launcher. And considering rumored internal fighting between Windows and Xbox division regarding Xbox Game Pass Application, I think it would be better to switch to Battle.net entirely but introduce some addiitonal features. Then again we have yet to see whether Xbox app will improve now when Gaming has become a separate organization within Microsoft.

 

[Remij]

Battle.net is much more superior launcher. And considering rumored internal fighting between Windows and Xbox division regarding Xbox Game Pass Application, I think it would be better to switch to Battle.net entirely but introduce some addiitonal features. Then again we have yet to see whether Xbox app will improve now when Gaming has become a separate organization within Microsoft.

Yea, I actually really like the Bnet launcher myself. I would prefer they switch to that entirely as well and rebrand it to the Xbox app rather than the other way around.

 

[Scott_Arm]

The EA app and Xbox app link to make the EA app aware of your game pass privileges. I imagine they’ll do the same.

 

[AlphaWolf]

Their new releases will definitely be on Steam. Regardless of the 30/20% cuts Steam will take, they understand how important it is to have those games reach that audience. It not only will improve user engagement, but also retention and continued monetization.

Microsoft's entire schtick right now is "playing games where you want to play them".

Being on steam is not the same as being only through steam.

 

[Remij]

Being on steam is not the same as being only through steam.

Of course.. but in both instances they are "on Steam"... which is the most important thing.

 

[AlphaWolf]

Of course.. but in both instances they are "on Steam"... which is the most important thing.

Only to people using steam.