Joel Taveras writes, "I’m not exactly sure how or when it happened but somewhere along the way the video game review just curled up and died. What was once a place where a writer could fully express what he or she felt while playing a certain title has since transformed into what at times can seem like a full blown press release. Lines are being blurred and stretched to the point that mediocrity no longer means a 5 on a 10 point scale, no now mediocrity can get you at least a 7, maybe even an 8 on some nonsense publications. Why don’t reviewers have balls anymore?"
Activision Blizzard ordered to pay $23.4M for patent infringement involving popular games.
I would read the article but the giant pop-ups from the top and bottom of the screen made me close it.
Without reading $23.4 million isn't a deterrent for a company that size.
Boss: Let's fire a few people to recoup on that loss.
Slave: Cortana has decided to get rid of Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks.
Boss: Let's get those Firing Letters "Copilot Approved" and send them through the power of the cloud.
Slave: Long Live Phil !!!
ALL in the room: LONG LIVE PHIL !!!!
Well another troll company with a patent trying to extort money out of companies. Seems like they’re going to try and sue everyone.
Microsoft's legal counsel has responded to the accusations leveled yesterday by the FTC within the legal battle for the acquisition of Activision Blizzard.
Replies(1)
Microsoft thinks they did right thing did they? Imo you could've merge Activision into other sectors.
When a mega corporation is more powerful than the federal agency. Who do we have left to fight against these practices?
Microsoft isn't more powerful than the government and that's why you see them giving so much money to politicians. It cliche, but it's up to us to select representation that won't cave to corporate donors.
But yeah Microsoft doesn't have any defense against layoffs. No one made them do it and the went ahead with the merger knowing quite clearly that it would impact employees.
Apparently the layoffs were going to happen either way, and I'm inclined to believe it because Activision is beyond scummy. I'm instead wondering why Acti hired so many people in the first place.
Same reason a lot of tech hired a lot during covid. People were staying home, consuming a lot of personal media (buying more games, watching more shows, etc.) Companies thought investing the increased revenue in more talent would reap benefits long term. Turns out, that wasn't the case. It just led to the companies being bloated. But in a lot of cases, they were bloated even before the covid hiring sprees. Activision had 13,000 employees this time last year. Nintendo has 7,000. Keep in mind this doesn't include contract or outsourced work, which I guarantee you Activision does a lot more of than Nintendo. Makes you wonder what the hell Activision needs so many people for. They don't even make a console like Nintendo does. It sucks that people are losing their jobs, but in my opinion, a lot of these companies are still bloated even after the layoffs.
i dont believe that for a second.
activision had their hands full with upcoming cod titles and current ones before the merger.
and mobile games ha
Yeah totally. In a year in which everyone's firing developers left and right, Activision *of all companies* was gonna avoid that.
My god.
what are u talking about ?
the merger proceedings went on for more than a year before it was actually over.
before that, there were no major layoffs. and activision was busy making games. not just one mind you.
maybe try and think for second before u comment something.
Imagine thinking that a company like Activision would not partake in this layoff fest. Do you miss Bobby Kotick perchance? 🙄
The only one who's not thinking is you. All the big companies doing layoffs are "busy making games." That doesn't mean they're not laying off people. Take-two announced today that they're gonna have a big cost reduction plan coming (IE: many more layoffs) and they have 52 games in development.
You really can't see past your console wars, can you? 🤨
“Jason and Vince just got fired!” A lead artist shouted, as he rode in on one of the many small kick-push scooters that would typically lay around the studio. He quickly scooted away to some other part of the office space to spread that shocking message.
A friend worked there in production and was miserable due to working with IW and with ATVI. When he complained to his VP about it, he was told...be glad you have a job and are making games.
Sounds about right, but is also sounds like something Infinity Ward would say. They made their own bed and cashed in hard to do it. F em.
That sucks, but that’s corporate America. I mean, they could’ve turned down the money and leave to Respawn too. At least they got something, my corporation would’ve probably expected everyone to go back to normal.
daaaym
"oh we're running ur life? pff get over it, like honestly"
scum
I mean, if my company wants to give me a bonus and raise my salary by 50%, I'd get over whatever the hell they wanted me to. 🤷♂️
I think they have too much balls in the name of shock effect (traffic to their site). Reviews used to matter but lately they've gone so downhill...
Couldn't agree more. The issue, it seems, is people's inability to set aside business. When you're receiving toys, money, trips, etc. from a company, and befriending the PR folks, it's hard to crap on a sucky game because of the whole guilty conscience thing, and the whole "hurting their feelings" aspect. These "journalists" today need to learn to be firm and aggressive -- they're there to report for, and educate, the consumer, not please the companies that throw swag at them. And this is why games journalism isn't taken seriously. Rather than push these companies to create better product by honestly critiquing their product, games journalists feed them a mediocre spoon of crap that they feel good for. Temptation is a pretty hard thing to avoid; but I think that in the face of your reputation, it might be something worth reconsidering when you're supposed to be doing this for other reasons.. you know... like for the very people who trust your judgment.
wow... one of the greatest editorials I've read in a while, gamers needed this.
I have to say that I agree with this whole heartly!
Very interesting and for the most part very true, very interesting read on something I know a lot of people have thought about.