Defining Duke, Episode 55: Xbox Has Acquired Activision Blizzard (Patreon)

For the long time Defining Duke listeners, we all know you have been waiting for a week like this. A time where a major haymaker is delivered by Microsoft and we can break it all down together. For the staggering price of $68.7 billion, Xbox has acquired publisher Activision and with it come a slew of development teams and IP that we're not quite sure even they know what to do with. Beyond inheriting a plethora of potential exclusive games and bolstering Game Pass, Xbox takes in damaged goods. Activision is far from squeaky clean as they have suffered from toxic workplace conditions for years with a leader at the top willing to purchase two companies with game's media in an effort to steer the narrative away from such a truth. It's ugly and there's a lot of tendrils to this conversation. Games, exclusives, monopoly, mobile gaming, and so much more. It's time to talk about about the industry's most historic acquisition yet in what will be a series of many from the hungry competitor moving forward.

Timestamps:

0:00:00 - Intro

0:05:09 - Has a voiced protagonist ever interfered with playing a certain character model?

0:08:20 - What we’ve been playing.

0:23:57 - Swap It or Stop It.

0:39:16 - What are our favorite ice cream flavors?

0:40:46 - Microsoft is acquiring Activision Blizzard.

2:09:17 - Danganronpa Trigger Happy Havoc is available on Game Pass.

2:16:47 - NPD data is here and things are looking good for Halo Infinite.

2:26:26 - New Game Pass additions.

2:29:39 - Game Pass pick of the week.

2:43:13 - Where’s the outrage for Forza Horizon 5 not getting nominated for GOTY at the DICE Awards?

2:51:37 - What’s happening with Rare?

2:58:21 - What would we like to see Xbox improve this year?