Activision updates Call of Duty code of conduct to combat toxicity

Activision Blizzard is making «major changes» to Overwatch 2 as part of a «revitalisation» of the free-to-play shooter that hopes to «make PvP gameplay more rewarding and fun», as well as «provide greater transparency for players in-game».

Studio Wildcard has released a major update to the ARK Development Kit, introducing more options for modders to shape their experiences. Additions include a custom cosmetics system, the ability to transfer items, and a Simple Game Framework.

Microsoft completed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October, though life under new ownership has got off to a rough start for the latter. Last month, Microsoft announced that it was cutting 1,900 jobs across its entire gaming division, with Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and Xbox all set to be impacted.

Activision execs offered Infinity Ward staff a 50 percent pay increase and told staff to «take the money and get over it» after the publisher dramatically fired the developer's founders Jason West and Vince Zampella in 2010.

Microsoft has rejected the Federal Trade Commission's recent complaints about the mass layoffs at Activision. The regulator previously argued that the move could be used as the basis for reversing Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which was completed in October 2023.

Ubisoft released its third quarter fiscal year 2024 sales report and confirmed that titles like Assassin’s Creed Codename Red and Star Wars Outlaws will launch between April 21st, 2024 and March 31st, 2025. Fans can expect the line-up, which includes The Division Resurgence and Rainbow Six Mobile, to be revealed in May.

Gameplay of a canceled Call of Duty codenamed NX1 has leaked online, revealing an effort to release a futuristic game in the franchise from former Guitar Hero developer Neversoft.

Gameplay from the canceled Call of Duty: Future Warfare has surfaced online, showing off gameplay and the futuristic setting of the canceled 2011 shooter. While the massively popular shooter franchise has largely been known for its modern military and World War 2-themed settings, the developers have sometimes branched out into other settings. The franchise has experimented multiple times with futuristic gameplay, with games like 2016's infamous Call of Duty: Infinite Warfare. Now, a newly surfaced video shows off an earlier take on a futuristic Call of Duty.

Despite ongoing animosity between fans of Palworld and Pokemon, some artists took to social media to call for peace between the camps. The artists posted their takes of Palworld and Pokemon characters interacting with one another as a sign of cooperation and unity, and fans of both games complimented them for their efforts.

Cities: Skylines II developer Colossal Order has a uniquely close relationship with its community. The original Cities: Skylines came out in 2015 and gobbled up the audience that was left behind by EA’s SimCity, which came out in 2013 and was a busted mess. Cities: Skylines scratched that urban-planning itch, plus it cost just $30. The game came first to PC, Mac and Linux with modest hardware requirements, and it hit consoles within two years. Critically, Cities: Skylines also supported mods through the Steam Workshop, allowing players to add their own tools to the game and share those features with others.

Microsoft will let go of 1,900 employees at Activision Blizzard and Xbox this week, it said on Thursday, the latest cuts in the technology sector that has extended massive layoffs over the past years into 2024.

Microsoft layoffs: The company is laying off about 1,900 employees in its gaming division, according to an internal company memo, just over three months since the tech giant completed its post on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, appearing to acknowledge the layoffs. “It's an incredibly hard day and my energy and support will be focused on all those amazing individuals impacted – this is in no way a reflection on your amazing work,” Ybarra wrote — later adding that his time leading Blizzard “was an absolute honor.”