July 24, 2023

Blunt End To Merger – Episode 420

43 minutes

In this episode, I started with the Microsoft Activision-Blizzard merger, and the FTCs unsuccessful attempt to fight it. CMA now seems to want to work with Microsoft on the merger. A group of unnamed gamers tried to get a Supreme Court Judge to block the merger. Hopefully, I won’t have to start episodes talking about the merger anymore!

Also briefly talked about Diablo Immortal, and gave you some information that might help you through Season 1. I haven’t finished the storyline in the game yet, so I can’t get in.

Things mentioned in this episode:

The Hill posted an article titled: “Appeals court denies FTC bid to temporarily halt Microsoft-Activision deal”

The Wall Street Journal posted an article titled: “FTC Loses Latest Bid to Halt Microsoft-Activision Merger”

CNBC posted an article titled: “Microsoft and Activision agree to extend $69 billion deal deadline in wait for UK approval”

Engadget posted an article titled: “FTC puts internal trial over Microsoft-Activision deal on hold”

Congressman Kelly Armstrong (Republican) posted a press release titled: “Armstrong, Colleagues Call on FTC to Drop Opposition to Microsoft Merger and Return to Commonsense Antitrust Policies”

The Hill posted an article titled: “Kagan rejects emergency request to block Microsoft, Activision Blizzard merger” (NOTE: Elena Kagan is a U.S. Supreme Court Justice)

BusinessWire posted a press release titled: “Activision Blizzard Announces Second Quarter 2023 Financial Results”

The Verge posted an article titled: “Sony agrees to 10-year Call of Duty deal with Microsoft”

IGN posted an article titled: “Xbox Has Signed a ‘Binding Agreement’ to Keep Call of Duty on PlayStation After Its Acquisition of Activision Blizzard”

The Verge posted an article titled: “Thousands of Call of Duty fans are playing classic Xbox 360 titles thanks to a server fix”

Microsoft posted an article titled: “Introducing Xbox Game Pass Core, Coming This September”

@Rhykker posted a thread on Twitter about his take on the Microsoft acquisition of Activision Blizzard

@ActuallyArcane was features on the Blizzard Launcher for the start of Season One

Mike Ybarra (President of Blizzard) @Qwik tweeted about BlizzCon

Rod Fergusson (SVP, GM of all things Diablo at Blizzard) tweeted about Diablo Immortal

IcyVeins posted an article titled: “Butcher Decides to Wait for Season 1 Start Instead of Fighting”

Blizzard posted “Season of the Malignant Now Live” a while ago. It has some helpful info in it.

Dredscythe (Maxroll) posted: “Diablo 4 Season 1 Campfire Chat Recap”

IcyVeins posted an article titled: “Diablo 4 Eternal to Season 1 Transition Clarifications”

IcyVeins posted an article titled: “Side Quest Tier List Ranking for Renown Farming in Diablo 4 Season 1”

Wowhead posted an article titled: “All 32 Malignant Hearts Coming with Diablo 4 Patch 1.1.0”

Where to find Jen’s Content Creation:

Shattered Soulstone T-shirts now available on Jen’s Redbubble!

Shattered Soulstone Pride shirts now available on Jen’s Redbubble!

Shattered Soulstone Trans Flag shirts now available on Jen’s Redbubble!

Book Of Jen website: Diablo gameplay videos

BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo IV videos

BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo III Season 28

BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo Immortal Closed Alpha playlist

BookOfJenOriginal YouTube: Diablo Immortal playlist

Jen’s Lore Corner episodes are now on Shattered Soulstone!

Twitch @BarbarianKobold (NOTE: I rarely stream.)

Restless Barbarian Gaming on Twitch

Restless Barbarian Gaming on YouTube

You can listen to Shattered Soulstone on Bonus Roll Productions – and submit a review there.

Got something to say? Send a tweet to @ShatteredStone and we will read it off in the next episode.

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