RipTen Videogame Blog » Activision Blizzard

Men In Black Game Announced to Release Alongside 2012 Sequel

Garrett Hartman — Thu, 13 Oct 2011 21:39:25 +0000

Activision, king of the movie tie-in games, has announced a Men In Black game that will release with the 2012 movie sequel.

In a press release today Activision VP David Oxford promised the game (simply titled Men In Black) will be a “genre-bending experience” with Hollywood-level production values.Very few additional details released except two screens we have below.

Men in Black 3 the movie will release May 25th 2012, so by extrapolation we can assume the game as well.

Analysts Say Blizzard May Reveal “Titan” at BlizzCon 2011 (UPDATE)

Dave Oshry — Wed, 28 Sep 2011 15:00:46 +0000

Update: A Blizzard rep has told IGN that there will be NO Titan announcement at BlizzCon this year. Lame.

Diablo III has just been delayed and The Old Republic is set to take on World of Warcraft this holiday season. Blizzard needs to amp up not only their fans, but Acti-Blizz stockholders. What can they do?

Reveal Titan.

Not long ago, Blizzard revealed that Titan was the codename for their next gen mmo and if this leaked timetable is correct, it will release sometime in 2013.

Well, according to industry analysts, BlizzCon 2011 might be just the right time and place for the big reveal.

Just recently, M2 Research senior analyst Billy Pidgeon told VentureBeat:

“If they are holding any juicy details, it’s going to be announced at BlizzCon. The big news is probably going to be a Diablo 3 date and a possible new announcement about one or more new properties.”

Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences board member and VP of Biz Dev at Double Fine, Zack Karlsson, also told VB that Blizzard may want to move to counter the launch of The Old Republic:

“If I’m them, I park it right on top of some big (The Old Republic) announcement. I’d want (The Old Republic) to spend something big, drop some cash, and then run right over them and trump marketing dollars with PR.”

Stay tuned to RipTen as we head to BlizzCon 2011 to get word straight from the Metzen‘s mouth. We’ll be holding our breath.

This is How the Auction House and Banner Creation Work in Diablo III (Beta Gameplay)

Ripten Staff — Thu, 22 Sep 2011 01:00:38 +0000

The Diablo 3 beta is finally upon us. Unfortunately, it may not yet be upon you. Luckily, Dave and Aaron have been kind enough to play the beta for you, and they’re gonna tell you all about it!

One of the most discussed topics in regards to D3 has been the inclusion of an in-game auction house.

The auction house is available in a limited capacity in the beta, but it’s definitely a welcome addition thus far that makes the the game even more addictive.

Watch as Aaron walks you through it’s features:

Next up is the banner creation. Each player can create a banner for each of their characters that will be shown both at the loading screen and in-game.

There are a litany of options and if you’re familiar with guild tabard creation in World of Warcraft, you’ll feel right at home here.

Watch as Dave walks you through it:

So there you have it. If you thought Diablo 2 was addictive, you ain’t seen nothing yet.

Stay tuned for our continued coverage of the Diablo 3 beta, including plenty of HD gameplay!

See The Insane Numbers of World of Warcraft (Infographic)

Jeff Heilig — Wed, 01 Jun 2011 20:51:12 +0000

World of Warcraft has reached an unprecedented level in the gaming industry, and has dominated the MMO scene since its release back in 2004. The game’s extraordinary run is detailed in this informative graphic.

WoW indeed:

Blizzard Timetable Supposedly Leaked, Next-Gen MMO “Titan” Coming in 2013?

Dave Oshry — Thu, 02 Dec 2010 21:03:01 +0000

If the Chinese are to be believed, and we’d be foolish to simply write them off, it seems as if World of Warcraft is set for two more expansions, and that a mysterious project Titan is set for release in 2013.

As you can see below, this timetable that was posted on Chinese WoW forum NGA details Blizzard’s key product launches all the way through 2014. The dates are correct in regards to products which have already been launched such as Starcraft II and the WoW Mobile Auction House. It’s also correct as to the launch of Cataclysm (Q4 2010)

However, if you look closely you will see that Blizzard also seems to be planning a 4th and 5th expansion for World of Warcraft as well as the WoW Movie in Q4 of 2012. What’s also interesting is the release date for Diablo 3 (Q4 2011) as well as two planned expansions for both Starcraft and Diablo respectively.

So is this timetable feasbale? Absolutely. However, it is legitimate? That remains to be seen. We can only hope so.

Check out the entire table and full list of supposed releases below:

Battle Net 2 – 2010.Q3

Battle Net 2 Map Market – 2011.Q2

Battle Net 2 3rd Parties – 2012.Q1

StarCraft 2 – 2010.Q3

StarCraft 2 X1 (Heart of the Swarm?) – 2011.Q4

SC2: Phoenix – 2011.Q4

SC2 X2 (Legacy of the Void?) – 2013.Q1

Diablo 3 – 2011.Q4

Diablo 3 X1 – 2013.Q2

Diablo 3 X2 – 2014.Q4

WOW Mobile – 2010.Q2

WOW X3 CATACLYSM – 2010.Q4

WOW Brazil – 2011.Q3

WOW X4 – 2012.Q2

WOW TCG – 2012.Q3

WOW Movie – 2012.Q4

WOW X5 – 2013.Q4

Titan – 2013.Q4

As you can see, some of the products above have been confirmed by Blizzard (like SC2′s expansion and the 4th WoW expansion) while others have yet been unconfirmed (such as the Diablo 3 expansions).

But what the hell is Titan!?

One can only assume it’s the codename for Blizzard’s long awaited Next-Gen MMO they’ve been working on. If it was to release in 2013 – it would be a Titan indeed.

Original Source (Mandarin) / Translated Source (Engrish)

Bobby Kotick: Activision Wishes to Escape “Walled Gardens” of PSN and Xbox Live

Sam Naylor — Mon, 05 Jul 2010 17:24:11 +0000

Activision’s Bobby Kotick has said that the company will be “aggressively” supporting gaming on PCs hooked up to TVs in the future, in an effort to monetise the constant stream of people playing Activision games on consoles online.

Kotick noted that that “60 per cent” of Xbox Live subscribers “primarily” use the service for Call Of Duty, but that Activision “don’t really participate financially in that income stream”. Of course, they’re looking at Microsoft, who do- and then don’t let anyone else profit from it.

“We would really like to be able to provide much more value to those millions of players playing on Live, but it’s not our network,” he said. Sony and Microsoft operate “walled gardens” (Live and PSN). Kotick wishes to make money on these millions of Call of Duty players with “new gamer-friendly PCs, designed to be plugged into the television.”

“PCs have long been used for online play, but PC gaming remains niche when the games industry needs to widen its appeal.” Activision will “very aggressively” support efforts to connect PCs to TVs by companies like Dell and HP, he said.

I’m doubtful that console gamers will wish to switch to PCs, but if there’s the potential for money in it, Kotick’s willing to try it. I do agree with him, though, that the walled gardens of the consoles really do restrict what companies could be doing. Think about all the free content to the PC version of Team Fortress 2 compared to the Xbox 360 version- the reason there’s none on the 360 is because Microsoft want to make people pay them for it, and Valve actually respect their customers.

[FT via CVG]

Activision and Sony Could be Forced to Cease Investment in UK Games Economy

Sam Naylor — Wed, 30 Jun 2010 16:21:21 +0000

More news from the UK games industry has hit our inbox this morning, with the news that the removal of tax relief for the UK games industry could cause both Activision Blizzard and Sony Computer Entertainment Europe to think much more carefully about investing in the UK games economy.

“The UK video games industry is not competing on a level playing field,” said Richard Wilson, CEO of TIGA. “Our key competitors have tax breaks for video games production. No such tax break exists in the UK. TIGA’s Games Tax Relief would put the UK on a level playing field. If Games Tax Relief is introduced then the UK will be open for business for the crucial knowledge industry of video game development. Games Tax Relief will stimulate investment, business growth and the creation of highly skilled jobs. Without Games Tax Relief, the UK faces a serious risk of losing out on millions of pounds of investment.”

Activision has spoken up on the subject, with head honcho Bobby Kotick saying that “For us to continue to invest in the UK there needs to be an incentive provided for us to do so… The talent pool in the UK is among the best in the world for what we do. But we really need to see some more incentives. We are seeing great incentives in Canada, Singapore and eastern bloc countries.”

Sony have echoed this statement: “The existing plans will continue but any further new developments would have to be looked at. Maybe something that was planned for the UK would go abroad now,” said Ray Maguire, Sony Computer Entertainment’s UK managing director.

Activision employs over 700 people in the UK, and Sony over 1,200. Without proper relief for the games industry in the UK we could see a lot of those jobs lost for cheaper ones in countries that do have tax relief, most notably Canada.

Activision Blizzard joins TIGA in Fight for UK Tax Relief

Sam Naylor — Mon, 28 Jun 2010 16:49:14 +0000

Activision Blizzard has joined TIGA, the UK games industry lobbying body, as part of the fight for tax relief in the UK for game development studios.

While being a US-based company, Activision Blizzard is the owner of two UK development studios, Bizarre Creations (Blur) and FreeStyleGames (DJ Hero).

“The UK has one of the most talented and creative workforces anywhere in the industry,” said George Rose, Activision Blizzard’s executive VP. “The introduction of Games Tax Relief in the UK will be a game changer. It will make the UK a significantly more attractive place to invest in games development. Games Tax Relief will lead to increased investment, more job creation and power economic growth.

“However, if Games Tax Relief is not introduced then the UK will remain at a real disadvantage in comparison to other territories as a location for inward investment. Without Games Tax Relief the UK games industry will not fulfil its potential.”

After the ‘Emergency Budget’ reneged the coalition’s promise to grant this tax relief, there is gathering momentum for the cause. TIGA are fighting hard for the promise to be kept, as it would be of a great benefit to the UK economy. Without it, we could be driving straight into a dead end.

Richard Wilson, TIGA’s Chief Executive, is fighting hard for the cause: “Before the general election the Conservatives and the Liberal Democrats both explicitly stated that they supported tax breaks for the video game industry. In fact, the Conservatives said that Labour had stolen their idea… [without tax relief] we’ll lose jobs, we’ll lose influence, the UK games industry will not be world-leading.”

[Via EDGE]

Blizzard Working on Fifth Game, New IP?

Sal Romano — Fri, 27 Mar 2009 21:25:29 +0000

It appears World of Warcraft developers, Blizzard, may be working on fifth game, said to be a new IP.

Two new job listings have surfaced on Blizzrd’s job oppurtunities page looking for a Software Engineer in Client and in Gameplay under the category of ‘Unannounced’. The job description mentions they need the gameplay engineers “to focus on graphics and other client systems for an unannounced title.”

Over at IncGamers, they tell us “an inside source at Blizzard has confirmed that the game is not a World of Warcraft expansion and not related to their next-gen MMO. The source stated this is a brand new game and they are using the World of Warcraft engine for testing purposes.”

So, it’s most likely Blizzard is making a fifth game. However, what kind of game could it be? Will we finally see a Blizzard title on a console?

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 Confirmed for 2009

Rangebar Merani — Thu, 12 Feb 2009 16:50:20 +0000

Activision Blizzard has confirmed the rumors of a Call of Duty game coming out this year (which we all knew would happen anyways) and the game is said to be going back to modern times. Currently labeled Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the game is on track for a holiday 2009 season release, but no other details of the sixth installment have been released.

This is great news for Call of Duty fans (like myself), especially for those who hated the fact that Call of Duty: World at War was taken back to WWII times. At least we have a new map pack for World at War coming out in March to keep us content until Modern Warfare 2 comes out later this year.

Source: Joystiq.com

Six Million Dollars Glides into Blizzard’s Hands via Judgement Against MDY

Sam Naylor — Wed, 01 Oct 2008 19:43:04 +0000

Activision Blizzard has received $6 million in damages, courtesy of MDY industries; the company behind MMOglider used in the popular World of Warcraft game.

Blizzard began the case against the company on the premise that the software violated copyright, reports BBC news. It was ruled that the use of the software broke the rules of the license agreement which players accept when creating an account.

From BBC news:

Although sizable the damages award could have been bigger, say experts, if MDY had not won some of its arguments about damages in court.

It was also helped by an admission in court that it would be reasonable to pay some form of damages.

The damages award could be delayed if Blizzard appeals against the judgment which threw out its claim to double or triple the cash settlement.

The case is due to go to court again in January 2009 when the remaining issues in the legal conflict look likely to be settled.

The glider company sold around 100,000 copies of the $25 software (which lets you stop playing your games!). I’m no mathematician, but I know that the $6,000,000 exceeds this by a wide margin. Looks like MDY industries has both fallen on its face and has to pay for its ambulance (and the only one available was plated in gold). Now that’s a metaphor!

Source: BBC News via GameCyte

Activision Joins Rick Moranis: Says No Thanks To Ghostbusters Video Game

Chad Lakkis — Tue, 29 Jul 2008 05:46:10 +0000

It wasn’t long ago that we all questioned Rick Moranis’s decision to turn his back on the Ghostbusters video game. The same game Bill Murray and Dan Aykroyd said yes to. The same game so many of us nerds have been looking forward to.

Well, today Activision Blizzard joins Moranis, as they announce their post merger line-up. Ghostbusters (as well as several other games listed at the end of this article) were nixed by the new level 70 (soon to be 80) elite rare spawn perked out mega publisher — Activision Blizzard for short.

Activision CEO, Mike Griffith, stated the following regarding the line-up change:

“We are focused on improving efficiency across the combined organization and are concentrating on businesses where we have leadership positions that are aligned with Activision Publishing’s long-term corporate objectives,”

The new “streamlined” list of games includes Crash Bandicoot, Ice Age, Spyro the Dragon, Prototype, and one yet to be announced title. Ice Age and Spyro the fucking Dragon over Ghostbusters? Are you fucking kidding me?

In all honesty, I find it funny that Activision Blizzard’s focus is now to” streamline” things, when the two companies had several months to “streamline” their new name, but in the end decided to keep it as lengthy as humanly fucking possible.

Who you gonna call? Not Activision Blizzard, that’s for fucking for sure.

Full list of games cut: Brutal Legend, Wet, Ghostbusters, Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena, World at Conflict: Soviet Assault, 50 Cent Blood on the Sand, Zombie Wranglers, Leisure Suit Larry: Box Office Bust, and various Xbox Live Arcade titles.

Source: Gameindustry.biz

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick Explains Companys ESA Exit

Chad Lakkis — Thu, 10 Jul 2008 15:36:50 +0000

Activision Blizzard CEO, Bobby Kotick, discusses the companys split with the ESA in an upcoming interview with Variety. The full interview has yet to be published, however a few short quotes pertaining to Activision’s involvement with the ESA were transformed into a write up.

When asked specifically about their break up, Kotick attempted to clarify stating:

“… don’t view it as anything but time off …”

The logic, explained by Kotick below, revolves around the merger, controlling expendatures, and interum decision making.

“With the combined companies, the dues went up enough that I said for it to make sense [to spend that money], we have to make a strategic plan … We don’t have that because nobody owns it for us right now.”

I will attempt to predict the collective reaction by ESA upon hearing this news. “So you’re telling me there’s a chance.” – Lloyd, Dumb & Dumber. If no one owns strategic planning and company expendature, why is Activision going to be present at Comic-Con? Maybe the “time off” would better be described as “time off to see other people”.

Source: Variety

Merger Accomplished: Activision Blizzard Born

Chad Lakkis — Wed, 09 Jul 2008 06:59:17 +0000

Like it or not, with a reported shareholders vote of 92%, the merger first announced back in December 2007, is finally complete. All last minute hopes of a creative name for the new company are officially squashed, as the new name, “Activsion Blizzard”, proves that compromise is often boring as hell.

In exchange for 295.3 new shares of Activision stock, Vivendi, and all associated properties, become subsidiaries of Activision. However, an additional purchase of 62.9 shares at the tune of $1.7 billion put Vivendi in the drivers seat with nearly 52% ownership in the new entity.

Full details after the jump. Take a deep breath, you’re going to need it.

Activision Stockholders Approve Combination with Vivendi Games

SANTA MONICA, Calif., Jul 08, 2008 (BUSINESS WIRE) — Activision, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced that, at a special meeting of stockholders held earlier today, it received the stockholder approval necessary to consummate the company’s agreement with Vivendi, S.A. to combine Vivendi Games, Vivendi’s interactive entertainment business, with Activision’s businesses. All of the proposals required to effect the transaction received more than 92 percent of the shares voted. The transaction is expected to close on or around July 9, 2008.

Activision and Vivendi Games will combine their businesses through the merger of a newly formed, wholly-owned subsidiary of Activision with and into Vivendi Games. As a result of the merger, Vivendi Games, the parent company of Blizzard Entertainment and Sierra, will become a wholly-owned subsidiary of Activision. Vivendi will receive approximately 295.3 million newly issued shares of Activision common stock. Concurrently with the merger, Vivendi will purchase approximately 62.9 million newly issued shares of Activision common stock at a price of $27.50 per share for a total of approximately $1.7 billion in cash, resulting in a total Vivendi ownership stake in Activision Blizzard of approximately 52% on a fully diluted basis and approximately 54% of shares outstanding. As of the closing of the transaction, Activision will be renamed Activision Blizzard and will continue to operate as a public company traded on NASDAQ under the ticker ATVI.

Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Blizzard, Inc. is a worldwide pure-play online and console game publisher with leading market positions across all categories of the rapidly growing interactive entertainment software industry.

Activision Blizzard maintains operations in the U.S., Canada, the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Ireland, Italy, Sweden, Spain, Norway, Denmark, the Netherlands, Romania, Australia, Chile, India, Japan China, the region of Taiwan and South Korea. More information about Activision Blizzard and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activisionblizzard.com.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Activision Blizzard’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. In this release, they are identified by references to dates after the date of this release and words such as “outlook”, “will,” “remains,” “to be,” “plans,” “believes”, “may”, “expects,” “intends,” and similar expressions. Factors that could cause Activision Blizzard’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include, but are not limited to, sales of Activision Blizzard’s titles in its fiscal year 2009, shifts in consumer spending trends, the seasonal and cyclical nature of the interactive game market, Activision Blizzard’s ability to predict consumer preferences among competing hardware platforms (including next-generation hardware), declines in software pricing, product returns and price protection, product delays, retail acceptance of Activision Blizzard’s products, adoption rate and availability of new hardware and related software, industry competition, rapid changes in technology and industry standards, protection of proprietary rights, maintenance of relationships with key personnel, customers, vendors and third-party developers, domestic and international economic, financial and political conditions, foreign exchange rates, integration of recent acquisitions and the identification of suitable future acquisition opportunities, , the Activision Blizzard’s success in integrating the operations of Activision and Vivendi Games in a timely manner, or at all, and the combined company’s ability to realize the anticipated benefits and synergies of the transaction to the extent, or in the timeframe, anticipated. Other such factors include the further implementation, acceptance and effectiveness of the remedial measures recommended or adopted by the special sub-committee of independent directors established in July 2006 to review historical stock option granting practices by Activision Blizzard and its board of directors, the finalization of the tentative settlement of the SEC’s formal investigation and final court approval of the proposed settlement of the derivative litigation filed in July 2006 against certain current and former directors and officers of Activision Blizzard relating to Activision Blizzard’s stock option granting practices, and the possibility that additional claims and proceedings will be commenced, including additional action by the SEC and/or other regulatory agencies, and other litigation unrelated to stock option granting practices and any additional risk factors identified in Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and quarterly reports on Form 10-Q and the definitive proxy statement filed on June 6, 2008 in connection with the proposed transaction with Vivendi. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and Activision Blizzard assumes no obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.