December, 2022 - Softonic English

Is it a problem that Microsoft is buying Activision? ?

As you well know by now, if you’ve been reading our coverage on the subject, Microsoft plans to purchase Activision Blizzard for a monumental $69 Billion. We’ve already covered what this acquisition means for gamers and the wider gaming industry. Today, as promised, we’re going to delve into the details of the acquisition itself to determine whether there is truly grounds for the veritable inquisition that has arisen in the eyes of regulators all through the Western world.

In this article, we’ll discuss the acquisition details, Microsoft’s plans for the Call of Duty franchise upon which the entire argument rests, and the objections of the UK Competition & Markets Authority (CMA). All of this is in service of the question of whether Microsoft owning Activision Blizzard is truly the problem that regulators and global media make it out to be.

The background of the acquisition

We’ve discussed the basics of the acquisition at length by now, but we’ll cover them again here. Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have agreed to enter into a merger in which Microsoft will purchase Activision Blizzard for $69 billion. This is the largest and most expensive acquisition in gaming history, and the mere prospect has ruffled more than a few feathers.

Microsoft is one of three companies that currently dominate the console gaming market; the other two are Sony and Nintendo. However, while Microsoft forms part of the console gaming trinity, it is not the biggest company in the industry. That honor belongs to Sony with its PlayStation gaming consoles and its online game repository. Sony currently enjoys an estimated 65% market share in the console gaming industry. Microsoft, even with such titles as Minecraft and Forza, only has an estimated market share of 20%.

The alleged problem

The CMA and other authorities are vehemently opposed to one company gaining a monopoly over any industry. In order to attain a monopoly over the console gaming industry, Microsoft would need to have majority control over the industry and Xbox would need to be the dominant console. Not only that, but competitors like Sony and Nintendo would need to be taken virtually out of the equation. That would be a monopoly. One company with almost full control over an industry. As stated in our previous articles, this isn’t the current situation.

However, the industry sees the UK regulator as the singular entity that can decide the fate of the merger. Currently, the CMA is not set to give Microsoft and Activision Blizzard the green light.

The CMA’s perspective

The CMA has outlined many an issue in its comprehensive analysis of the acquisition, bur chief among these issues is the fact that it believes the deal will harm Sony and PlayStation irreparably. Here is an excerpt from the document detailing the CMA’s position:

‘There is a realistic prospect of a substantial lessening of competition in gaming consoles, multi-game subscription services, and cloud gaming services.’

Furthermore, the CMA also states that ‘The CMA is concerned that having full control over this powerful catalogue, especially in light of Microsoft’s already strong position in gaming consoles, operating systems, and cloud infrastructure, could result in Microsoft harming consumers by impairing Sony’s – Microsoft’s closest gaming rival – ability to compete as well as that of other existing rivals and potential new entrants who could otherwise bring healthy competition through innovative multi-game subscriptions and cloud gaming services.’

One of the biggest concerns, in the CMA’s opinion, is the issue of subscription services. The CMA holds the position that should this deal not be allowed to go through, Activision Blizzard’s games could form part of numerous subscription services. However, as you’ll see in the excerpt below, the CMA does not believe that Microsoft would allow Activision Blizzard’s games to appear anywhere other than the Xbox store.

‘This evidence shows that the Merger could impact competition in several ways. In investigating the Merger, and consistent with the CMA’s strict legal time constraints at phase 1, the CMA focused on the most important ways in which the Merger could potentially harm competition, both now and in the future.

These ‘theories of harm’ assess the harm to competition that could arise from: (a) Microsoft withholding or degrading ABK’s content—including popular games such as Call of Duty—from other consoles or multi-game subscription services; and (b) Microsoft leveraging its broader ecosystem together with ABK’s game catalogue to strengthen network effects, raise barriers to entry and ultimately foreclose rivals in cloud gaming services.’

However, if we look at the wording, the CMA admits that these are merely ‘theories of harm,’ not facts. There is no fact that supports these theories. The CMA has the expectation that Microsoft plans to turn all of Activision Blizzard’s titles into exclusive Xbox content. The CMA also mentions ‘network effects.’ By this, the CMA refers to the trend within the console gaming industry whereby consoles that are popular amongst gamers receive more games and, in turn, increase further in popularity. This effect is not one that Microsoft has displayed having any success with.

Another thing that the CMA ‘claims’ that is easy to prove false is that Microsoft might degrade the content published by Activision Blizzard. The rest of the document clarifies that the only game series that regulators seem to be concerned about is the Call of Duty franchise. Call of Duty is mentioned repeatedly throughout the CMA’s document; ad nauseum, really. The crux of the matter seems to be that the CMA doesn’t want Microsoft to have unilateral control over what is possibly the most successful gaming franchise in the industry’s history.

Looking at the successes that Microsoft has had with its previous acquisitions, such as Mojang, there’s little reason to expect that the company would tarnish the good name of the Call of Duty franchise. When Mojang was an independent developer, Minecraft was available on far fewer platforms, was more expensive, and didn’t have the massive team that it does today. Under Microsoft’s stewardship, Minecraft is available on more platforms than ever, has two spin-off titles that expand the game to more genres, and is now more affordable than ever with an Xbox Game Pass.

The truth is, Microsoft doesn’t destroy franchises; it builds them up, bolsters them, and brings them more success. This is likely the reason that Activision Blizzard is on board with the acquisition in the first place. The success that gaming franchises see upon joining the Microsoft family is unparalleled.

Problems with Microsoft buying Activision

The other major issue with this entire story is the fact that the CMA believes that Microsoft intends to strike an exclusivity deal with Activision Blizzard, preventing its game from being available aywhere other than the Xbox store. However, Microsoft has stated on numerous occasions that this is not the way the acquisition would happen.

First, Microsoft offered Sony an additional period of three years over and above the existing deal that the company currently has with Activision Blizzard. This means that Sony would still be able to host Call of Duty and its PlayStation-exclusive perks for three years beyond the existing deal. Sony rejected the offer, and Microsoft’s latest declaration is that Sony will not lose access to Activision Blizzard’s titles. Microsoft has stated, in no uncertain terms, that as long as there is a PlayStation console to host Call of Duty, Call of Duty shall be hosted on PlayStation consoles. Microsoft, therefore, has no clear intention or reason to ‘degrade’ Activision Blizzard’s titles, or withhold them from other console creators. Let’s also be clear that the only competing platform that the CMA is concerned about is Sony’s PlayStation.

Microsoft’s response to the CMA’s concerns

Microsoft, the powerhouse that it is, isn’t just going to sit back and let the CMA tarnish its name by implying that it would degrade gaming titles. No, Microsoft released statements of its own that accuse the CMA of publishing misplaced concerns. Furthermore, Microsoft claims that the CMA ‘adopts Sony’s complaints without the appropriate level of critical review.’

The CMA used its report to justify escalating its investigation into anti-trust matters to ‘phase 2.’ However, Microsoft issued a response to that particular gripe as well. ‘These unsupported theories of harm are not sufficient to justify a reference to Phase 2. The suggestion that the incumbent market leader, with clear and enduring market power, could be foreclosed by the third largest provider as a result of losing access to one title is not credible.’

Let us clarify here that the ‘incumbent market leader’ to which Microsoft refers is Sony. Microsoft makes this quite clear in it’s assertion to challenge the seemingly fragile position that the CMA feels that Sony is in. ‘While Sony may not welcome increased competition, it has the ability to adapt and compete.’

Microsoft lists further reasons that it believes the CMA’s report is ‘misplaced.’ Among other things, Microsoft asserts that Sony is the industry leader, in this case, and ‘engages in conduct today which is reflective of its market power in console gaming, including increasing prices of its consoles without fear of losing market share,’

Sony is in an incredibly powerful position in the market at the moment. There isn’t much that could shake its dominance right now. If anything, the CMA should allow the acquisition to go ahead purely for the purpose of giving Sony some much-needed competition.

Let Microsoft acquire Activision Blizzard

The CMA’s document clearly has its biases. The authority seems to have blinkers on where Sony and its market share is concerned. The CMA doesn’t seem to grasp the reality of the console gaming industry, which is that Sony is a behemoth and is currently running unrivaled. Yes, it has rivals in Microsoft and Nintendo, but neither company is as powerful or as successful in the console gaming market as Sony is. Therefore, this entire situation feels like the big bully on the playground picking on the little guy.

After examining all this information, it seems clear that there is no issue with Microsoft acquiring Activision Blizzard. The merger isn’t likely to increase Microsoft’s market share in the console gaming industry to such an extent that it attains a monopoly over the entire industry. If anything, the acquisition will position Microsoft in the industry such that it can actually compete squarely with the behemoth that is Sony and its PlayStation console.

Microsoft PC Manager promises to give your PC a boost

Microsoft PC Manager is a system application that promises to give Windows PCs a boost, a security check and more. Designed by Microsoft and in beta currently, PC Manager combines performance improving features with security options.

Microsoft plans to release the PC Manager application on the Microsoft Store. It is not listed publicly at the time and officially labeled a beta program.

PC Manager looks similar to CCleaner and other applications of its kind. The program shares some features, albeit more limited, with this type of applications.

It may, for example, be used to delete temporary files, disable startup programs, or run a security scan of the system.

PC Manager by Microsoft

PC Manager is compatible with Windows 10 and 11 devices. The app installs quickly and configures itself to run on system start. An option to disable this is provided in the application’s settings.

Important information is displayed on start. The application lists the current memory use, available storage and the size of temporary files on the startpage. A click on the boost button frees up some memory and cleans all temporary files on the system. The process is quick and it may indeed improve the performance of the system in the short-term. Memory usage goes up again shortly after executing the boost option.

The four main entries on the cleanup tab lead to health check, storage management, process management and startup apps. A click on any of those options executes the function.

Health Check

Health Check, for example, scans the system for potential issues. It highlights items to cleanup, which frees up storage space, potential issues, and startup apps to disable, to speed up system start.

In effect, it is giving the system a quick scan to find areas of improvement.

The cleanup recommendations lack depth when compared to programs such as CCleaner or BleachBit. Even Windows’ own Disk Cleanup tool supports more cleanup options.

The most useful option here is probably the startup apps option. Some apps extend system start significantly and PC Manager makes it easy to disable those. Microsoft does not list its own apps here or elsewhere in the app though. A quick opening of the Task Manager’s startup apps tab is equally fast and more helpful.

Storage Management

Storage Management displays four options when it is selected. The first, deep cleanup, scans more locations on the system for leftover and temporary files. These can then be removed in a swift operation. Still not as extensive as other cleaners, but better than the health check’s scan.

There is also a large file management option, which runs scans in File Explorer to find files larger than the specified size. Options to filter by file type are provided as well.

The two remaining options link to two Settings page to manage installed apps and configure automatic storage cleanups.

Process Management and Startup apps

These two options are basic versions of features that Windows’ Task Manager provides. Process management lists user-run processes, their RAM usage, and an option to terminate them.

Startup apps lists some of the apps that start with the system. More than what health check displays, but still less than the Task Manager’s listing.

Security

The Security tab of the PC Manager application lists an option to run a thorough security scan on the system. The app scans key locations, such as the startup apps, browser extensions, background services or hardware drivers.

Any threat found during the scan is returned and can be dealt with in the application.

The two other options are less useful. The first runs a check for updates, the second to change the default browser to Microsoft Edge, Chrome or Firefox (if installed).

Verdict

PC Manager left mixed impressions during the review. Several of the application’s features are limited versions of tools that Windows already supports. There are some features, however, that may indeed be useful to some users.

Users may like the security scan feature, or the handy option to search for large files in File Explorer. While the latter is also possible with filters, e.g., by using the size:> filter, it makes things more comfortable to users who do not know about that option or quicker one.

In summary: PC Manager is a beta program that may improve over time. For now, it may be useful to some Windows users, but the majority of users may prefer using more advanced tools for the tasks it offers.

Call of Duty Modern Warfare 2: Guide with All modes and best strategies

It’s finally here! Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 launches today, and we already have the intel you’ll need for all the modes, maps, and strategies to survive and win! I’m sure this weekend we’ll see all-out battles take place on PlayStation, Xbox, and PC. I’ll have to watch in envy as I wait to acquire my copy of the FPS game.

Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2 DOWNLOAD

For now, here are the games modes and maps that will be in COD: Modern Warfare 2 from the launch today. I’ll also add some tips based on my Call of Duty experience, which carries over several years. My hard drives on the PS4 and PC are full of Activision’s FPS titles, so I think I’m more than qualified to offer some strategic advice.

Modern Warfare 2 gaming modes

COD: Modern Warfare 2 offers players two main types of gameplay map modes: Core and Battle. The former is the main type of gameplay for most stages, while the latter focuses on specific maps with strategic points. You’ll recognize a few of them if you’ve played other multiplayer games in the series.

Core Map modes

The main aspect of the Core Map mode is that it sets six players against another team of six (6v6). These are smaller maps where the battles are intense, calling for your team to work together at all times. There are also a few solo arenas, such as free-for-all, but I don’t see any mention of Gun Game as yet. That will probably arrive at a later stage.

A few familiar modes for COD veterans include Team Deathmatch, Domination, Hardpoint, Headquarters, Control, and Search & Destroy. I won’t spend too much time explaining what each one is about, which beginners can do on the official blog post.

What I do want to mention are some core map modes I haven’t seen before. Well, not in recent Call of Duty gaming history, anyway. Modern Warfare 2 will include Prisoner Rescue and Knock Out at the launch. With the first one, one team needs to extract hostages while the other team stops them. The second one involves fighting over a cache of cash until the round ends or all opponent team members are eliminated. I think I may have seen something similar in COD: Vanguard last weekend.

Battle Map modes

These modes have larger maps with more players with teams of up to 32 (32v32). At the moment, Modern Warfare 2 will have only Ground War and Ground War Invasion. Perhaps Activision will add more in the future.

With Ground War, two teams face off to take possession of the map, much like in Hardpoint. However, you’ll need to claim the core areas before the time runs out or a team reaches a score of 250 points. You’ll have ground vehicles to assist you, but the enemy will also have powerful weapons to take them out.

Ground War Invasion has a similar premise, but with 2,000 points to gain and plenty more weapons and vehicles at your disposal. While I don’t usually play these modes, Modern Warfare 2 is bound to have hundreds of players aiming for them. They’re intense and last for an incredibly long time.

Types of gameplay

Not all games in Modern Warfare 2 are created equally. There are modes where you need to focus on the time, while others have the points as a basis to win. If there’s a timer, the team with the most points at the end of the clock will be victorious.

There are also different playlists available at launch:

Featured: These hold the core games that are new and will change over time. Whenever Activision wants to show off a new map or mode, it will show here with old ones removed.
Quick Play: This playlist is based on a filter where you select your favorite Modern Warfare 2 core and battle modes. Once done, clicking on Quick Play will randomly place you in a lobby within one of the filtered selections.
Tier 1: With maps that support this feature, you’ll have a more challenging playlist. Your operator won’t have as much health, and there are fewer HUD elements. Basically, it’s like the realistic mode that we saw before in COD: MW1.
Third-Person Mode: Some maps and modes will let you play in third-person instead of first-person. With the camera looking over your shoulder, you’ll have a better view of your immediate surroundings.

Tips for engaging in these gaming modes

The best advice I can give you for starting COD: Modern Warfare 2 is to try every map and mode to see in which ones you are the most successful. Even if you struggled with similar modes in past Call of Duty games, I’d say try them in MWII. You might have better success, especially in these early stages.

For beginners, play the multiplayer modes and stick with your team. You’ll learn a lot from them, especially when encountering new maps for the first time. Remember, everybody is a noob (newbie/new player) at this stage of the game. That means you’ll be on equal footing with your opponents.

Once you know which Modern Warfare 2 maps and modes you excel in, use them to level up your operator and weapons as quickly as possible. Also, see if there are any daily or weekly quests you can complete for extra experience. The quicker you level up, the better you’ll be on the battlefield.

Core and Battle maps

As with the Modern Warfare 2 game modes, the maps are also split into Core and Battle. There are three main categories for the maps, namely, Las Almas, Al Mazrah, and Other Locales. The Core Maps allow the 6v6 game modes, while the Battle Maps are designed for 32v32 battles.

There are several locations in each category, depending on the game mode you select. You will also fight in surrounding areas, but they mostly fall into one of those three main sections. It’s also worth noting that the categories are available for all game modes.

Tips for winning on various maps

I recommend you start memorizing maps and find the best spots for you based on your COD skills and operator. If you’re going for long-distance sniping, make sure you find a high, secure location where it’s hard to see you. Speed-runners who like to mow down enemies with a submachine gun (SMG) will do better with open spaces and tight corners.

Don’t become disgruntled if you die often. Everyone needs to learn the outline of the new maps and modes. The more time you spend on specific Modern Warfare 2 maps, the more you’ll master them.

Modern Warfare 2 Perk packages

Perks as special abilities your operators can use in battle. It’s not the first time we’ve seen them in a COD title, and Modern Warfare 2 brings a few old ones back. In essence, your operator can hold a maximum of four perks. Two are base abilities, one is a bonus perk, and the final one is your ultimate.

Here’s the list of perks available at the launch of Modern Warfare 2:

Base: Double Time, Overkill, Scavenger, Strong Arm, Battle Hardened, Tracker, Bomb Squad, and Extra Tactical.
Bonus: Resupply, Cold-Blooded, Spotter, Hardline, Fast Hands, and Focus
Ultimate: High Alert, Quick Fix, Ghost, Survivor, Overclock, and Bird’s Eye

Field upgrades and Killstreaks

There are two last components to discuss with the Modern Warfare 2 launch. The first is the field upgrade, which is quite literally an upgrade you can place on the battlefield. It recharges over time, so you’ll need to use it strategically. Some of the items available include the tactical camera, inflatable decoy, deployable cover, trophy system, and more.

Killstreaks are what you earn when you eliminate enough opponents without dying and rack up the points. As you level up, you’ll unlock more powerful killstreaks, but you can only carry a limited amount into battle. The top KS you’ll enjoy are the UAV, bomb drones, cluster mines, cruise missiles, precision strike, and many others!

Get ready for the dawn of a new Modern Warfare 2 age

As you can see, there’s plenty of content for Modern Warfare 2 right from the start. Once I get my hand on the game, I’ll be sure to make guides for every map, mode, perk, and upgrades. I want to make sure you have the best chance of winning!

Google releases major security update for Chrome

Google released a security update for its Chrome web browser a moment ago that addresses a major security issue in the browser.

The update is available already, but Chrome users may want to speed up the installation to protect their devices and data. Google notes that malicious actors exploit the issue on the Internet already.

Chrome Download Now

The security update is available for desktop operating systems and for Android.

Chrome 108: how to update

Chrome users may want to open Menu > Help > About Chrome in the browser to display the current version. Chrome runs a check for updates automatically when that page opens. Any update found will be installed automatically.

The following versions should be displayed after the update installation:

Chrome for Windows: 108.0.5359.94 or 108.0.5359.95
Chrome for Mac or Linux: 108.0.5359.94
Extended Stable channel for Mac and Windows: 108.0.5359.94
Chrome for Android: 108.0.5359.79

Just compare the listed version with the version that Chrome reports when you open the about page. Updating requires a restart of the web browser to complete the installation process.

Chrome 108: the security issue

Google’s release post on the official Chrome Releases blog reveals some information on the fixed issue.

The most important information conveyed is that the issue is exploited in the wild.

“Google is aware that an exploit for CVE-2022-4262 exists in the wild.”

In other words: Google is aware of attacks that target the security issue. The company does not provide further information, e.g., on the scope of the attacks or where these may be encountered.

Still, in the wild refers to attacks on the Internet that users of the browser may experience. A patched version of Chrome protects against these attacks, while an unpatched Chrome may be attacked successfully.

The security issue has a severity rating of high, which is second only to critical.

The CVE record — CVE stands for Common Vulnerabilities and Exposures — offers additional insights.

“Type confusion in V8 in Google Chrome prior to 108.0.5359.94 allowed a remote attacker to potentially exploit heap corruption via a crafted HTML page. (Chromium security severity: High)”

Attacks are carried out using webpages. These need to contain attack code to be executed. It is still unclear how widespread the issue is based on the description.

Summary

Chrome users and administrators need to patch the web browser immediately. The update to the latest Chrome 108 version protects the browser against attacks, which are carried out at the time of writing.

The new major security update comes just days after the update to Chrome 108; this update fixed another 28 different security issues in the Chrome web browser.

Chrome includes automatic update functionality, but updates do not happen in real-time. Chrome users may speed up the installation of updates using the method described above.

While that is not necessary for non-security or emergency updates, it is essential when it comes to security updates.

Amazon Muzzles Alexa in Massive Job Cuts Move

Andy Jassy, Chief Executive at Amazon, has been driving a cost-cutting review at Amazon to reign in costs, especially in sections that haven’t been profitable, and bring the retail and tech giant back onto a stable footing. Alexa may be in trouble, too.

Sales of consumer goods, like electronics, have fallen in recent months as inflationary pressures hit many households. At 38% market share, Amazon has the majority share of online commerce, but its market share has stagnated in recent years. Many new entrants to the online sphere are in direct competition with Amazon.

The Amazon Devices Unit, which includes Alexa, has been the recipient of enormous amounts of capital but has an operating loss of more than $5 billion annually. Many of these employees will find themselves without employment in the coming months, as notice comes that up to 10,000 staff will be laid off.Alexa was a pet project by Amazon founder Jeff Bezos. It was intended to be sold via low-cost hardware to the mass consumer market.

When released in 2014, the intention was to sell products from the Amazon website to generate revenue when orders were placed through Echo hardware using Alexa as the interface between the customer and the system. Though Alexa fielded millions of interactions each week, most were to play music or ask for mundane things like a weather report. These interactions meant no money in Amazon’s revenue stream.

Amazon’s leadership team has taken a very close look at Alexa. The primary issue facing Amazon executives is that a recent report indicated that people still use very few Alexa functions, so injecting further capital into this functionality seems futile. Amazon responded by claiming that usage of Alexa functionality has climbed by 30% in the past year.

The most popular features of Alexa have mostly stayed the same since it was first released. The elements used most often by customers are shopping, playing music, and controlling functionality in smart homes. Management indicates that Amazon is committed to Alexa, and there are no plans to discontinue this service. The software remains an integral part of Amazon’s stable of products, but with a reduced workforce.

App Store Awards showcase the top games and apps of 2022

The App Store Awards have arrived and the list is complete and full of surprises

Apple, rival to Google Play, surely knows how to show appreciation to developers and publishers of magnificent games and apps that have touched the lives of so many users. The 2022 App Store Awards not only shows the top apps downloaded during the year, but it also highlights the best in innovations and features. This year, 16 apps received awards for their engagement with users on the App Store.

Let’s take a look at the first category, which is mobile apps. There are five outstanding winners for this section, each delivering brilliant features this year. BeReal appeared as a competitor for TikTok now, presenting an authentic experience with users taking images right in the moment. GoodNotes 5 stepped up with Apple Pencil integrations and support. Gentler Streak found a new way to reach a balanced, healthy lifestyle, while MacFamilyTree 10 delivered stunning visuals for your genealogy. The final winner in apps was ViX, enhancing the Spanish language with stunning stories.

Now I’m heading into my favorite industry, which is gaming. Top of the list for game downloads on the app store was Apex Legends Mobile, bringing the shooter to smartphones and tablets. While Inscryption focuses on card battles, players loved the detailed stories. Moncage delivered fantastic puzzles with a new perspective, while El Hijo presents a Wild West stealth game with brilliant visuals. The last winners in this category were Wylde Flowers and League of Legends Esports Manager for exceptional gameplay.

The final category is Cultural Impact. These apps or games won for the cultural influence they had on players and users. Here’s the list of winners and their noted features:

How We Feel: lets you perform a daily check-in to assess your emotional and mental well-being
Dot’s Home: presents common injustices with housing in a storytelling manner
Locket Widget: you can send wonderful images to your family’s mobile home screens in a widget
Waterllama: challenges you to meet your daily water goals in a fun way

Inua – A Story in Ice and Time: explore Inuit history and traditions in an entertaining way

As you can see, these are outstanding apps in the App store that deliver new ways to enjoy your mobile device. At least there are valid reasons why they won. I’m looking forward to seeing what next year’s awards will hold, and if Google Play will also have some kind of ceremony.

Twitch is finally implementing a panic button to combat hate raids

Twitch has decided to take action and activate a long demanded option

Are you tired of being harassed on Twitch for something you believe in or your lifestyle choices? It can take time for you or your moderators to sift through hate messages and ban viewers. Well, the streaming platform now has Shield Mode. It’s a fancy panic button you click on that instantly puts security measures into place.

What security measures, I hear you mentally ask with my telepathic powers. That’s up to you, actually. When you access the new Shield Mode, you determine what security features need to come into play once activated. It can be as simple as bulk-banning a group of hate commenters. Also, you can instantly shut down your stream or only make it available to your subscribers.
Once you’ve set the Twitch Shield Mode settings, it’s ready to go. If you see hate raids in your comments or something you don’t like, all you do is click that new panic button. The security measures will kick into place, and you don’t have to worry about all the manual work. You can also give access to your moderators, making their work easier.

One aspect of Shield Mode I don’t understand is No First-Time Chatters. It means that anyone that is new or didn’t chat in your last stream won’t be able to comment. Why I find this a bit odd is if you plan to use this for every stream. That means if someone is new and joins you for every stream from then on, they will never be able to comment until one day when you disable Shield Mode. It’s rather….odd.

Twitch says it will be adding more features to ensure you still grow a decent following. Let’s hope Shield Mode doesn’t become an issue with obtaining new followers in the future.

Apple and Spotify’s wrap-ups are already here to show your year’s musical journey

It is that time of the year: full of Awards and Wrap-ups. Apple and Spotify shows the new ones

What do you think your music choices say about you? Spotify and Apple are at it again, showcasing your music stats for 2022 to see what you enjoyed the most. You can also see how much time you spent listening to songs and specific genres. This year, these two platforms have new upgraded features, presenting a new way to enjoy the data.

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Spotify went all out by introducing 16 new personalities based on your music choices, genres, and your loyalty to specific artists or bands. It presents a card with detailed information on what type of music person you are, which you can share on social media. Every year will be different as your tastes change. You can check out your personality type by logging into your Spotify account.

Spotify and Apple return with annual stats

Apply came into the annual wrap-up late in the game. With Spotify starting the trend in 2016, Apple only joined in 2019. It has a more basic interface and not as many features as its competitor. However, the Apple Replay design has drastically changed to look more like Spotify, minus the new personality feature. You can head here to see your year’s music stats.

It will be fascinating to see who else will be joining this trending bandwagon this year. I listen to YouTube Music on my PC while I’m working and writing, which I’m doing right now. It would be nice to see what my stats look like for the year too. Do I really have to sign up for Apple or Softonic to have that experience?
For now, you can head to social platforms like Instagram and Facebook to see your friends’ stats. It’s easy to share by tapping on the share icon on any of the two apps.

Santa returns for Christmas at Waze, jingling your driving experience

It’s that time of the year when Santa Clause is coming to Waze ??

It’s that time of the year when Santa Clause is coming to town ??(choose your favorite lyrics to hum to). As far as driving around is concerned, you can now change your GPS settings on the Waze app. Instead of an arrow, it now features various Santa options on the map, but only if you reside in the United States. Everyone else will have to settle for the standard mode.

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When you head to My Waze on the app and tap on Drive with Santa, you’ll have two options that first appear. You have the choice between Santa and Mrs. Claus. Now, while Santa has experience with different cultures and has voices in various languages, Mrs. Claus isn’t so lucky. If you’re in the US, you’ll only hear her guide you with navigational details in English. She really should get out more.

The Christmas excitement doesn’t end there. After you choose your character, you can also select a mood. This feature will affect how you and other drivers see you on Waze maps. There’s also a vehicle option, letting you choose between the infamous sleigh or the C-wagon. You can also adjust some of the voice settings for both characters.

I usually use Petal maps on my Huawei phone, but I’m seriously tempted to install Waze to see this new feature. It’s a fun way to get into the festive mood, especially when you’re driving around trying to find the best presents for everyone. Also, when you ping your location for friends to see where you are, it looks like Santa is on his way to visit them.

Don’t miss out on the fun! If you see your friends on your map with Santa, you can join them with Mrs. Clause.

Why is Microsoft paying so much for Activision Blizzard?

68,700 Billions is a lot of money, but what are the reasons behind?

Yesterday, we released the first article in our three-part series concerning Microsoft and its plans to acquire gaming giant Activision Blizzard. We covered the changes that could be coming to Activision’s gaming titles and what the acquisition would mean for gamers.

Today, we’re going to focus primarily on the business side of the coin. This article will explore the impact that this acquisition will mean on the gaming industry, as well as Microsoft’s slew of gaming behemoth acquisitions in recent years, and how they’ve affected the company and its competitors. We’ll also delve briefly into whether this veritable pantheon of game creators that Microsoft is building qualifies as a monopoly and what that means for the industry’s future.

Note: The third article will cover the details of the EU regulators’ investigations at length, so we won’t be spending too much time on that today. Now that we’ve addressed the basics, let’s get into the details, shall we?

Is Microsoft building a monopoly over the gaming industry?

In business, monopoly is a very dangerous term, one that signifies one entity having near-full control over a particular industry. A clear-cut monopoly would be for every major video gaming franchise to hail from one company. So, to achieve a true monopoly, Microsoft would need to own a great deal more than just Activision Blizzard.

Why is Microsoft paying so much for Activision Blizzard

The current situation within the gaming industry is not one where a monopoly is likely. Yes, Microsoft has acquired quite an enviable suite of game creators, but they are far from the biggest in the industry. That title still belongs to Sony and their PlayStation division, for now.

What gaming companies does Microsoft own?

A little further down, we’ll discuss the companies listed below in more detail. For now, however, we’re merely listing the companies that Microsoft has acquired or established within recent years in order to bolster it’s foothold in the gaming market. Activision Blizzard is not going to appear on this list, as the acquisition is still pending.

ZeniMax Media

In September 2021, Microsoft acquired ZeniMax Media for an extraordinary $7.5 billion. ZeniMax Media is a publisher with a host of game development houses within its stables. The acquisition became official on the 9th of March this year, and greatly increased the selection of games that Xbox Game Pass subscribers have access to.

ZeniMax Media encompasses prolific studios such as Bethesda Game Studios, Roundhouse Studios, and Tango Gameworks, among others. In total, Microsoft gained the IP of 8 game studios. The most popular titles that Microsoft now has near unbridled access to under this acquisition are titles such as the Fallout franchise, Quake, DOOM, and The Elder Scrolls franchise.

In addition to the above-mentioned publisher, Microsoft has also acquired a number of developers not housed by publishing firms. The rest of this list will cover those formerly independent developers.

343 Industries

Microsoft didn’t acquire 343 Industries but instead, created it in 2007, shortly after Bungie shipped Halo 3 to stores. In the same year, Bungie announced its intention to split from Microsoft, but the rights to the then-in-circulation Halo games remained with Microsoft. Bungie went on to develop Halo titles until 2010. 343 Industries was named after the Halo character 343 Guilty Spark. Microsoft created 343 Industries as the new steward for the Halo franchise, in response to losing Bungie.

Rare

Microsoft acquired Rare on the 24th of September, 2002. This is one of the company’s first developer acquisitions and led to Rare becoming one of Xbox’s first first-party developers. Microsoft bought Rare for a measly by comparison $375 million. Because Rare is such an old developer, it has a well-stocked roster of games such as Sea of Thieves, GoldenEye 007, Banjo Kazooie, Battletoads, and Perfect Dark. The developer also has an upcoming game called Everwild.

The Coalition

The Coalition is another Microsoft-created developer. The developer was initially known as Black Tusk but took the name The Coalition in 2012. The Coalition is most famous for the Gears of War franchise, but the developer has numerous other games such as the Relic Rescue Facebook game, Microsoft Flight, which was exclusive to Microsoft Windows, and The Matrix Awakens, which was developed in 2021.

Mojang

Mojang is one of Microsoft’s most famous acquisitions. Microsoft bought Mojang in November 2014 for $2.5 billion. Mojang is most famous for Minecraft and Minecraft Dungeons. However, the studio has released numerous other games under the stewardship of Markus Persson, such as Caller’s Bane and Crown and Council. Minecraft is one of the most successful games in the industry’s history, if not the most successful, and its popularity now boosts that of Microsoft and its Xbox Game Pass service.

Playground Games

Microsoft acquired Playground Games in 2018 for an undisclosed amount. Playground Games is the powerhouse developer behind the Forza franchise, including Forza Horizon and Forza Motorsport. Forza Horizon 5 is currently the highest-rated Xbox exclusive game on the market. The developer is also working on another game at present called Fable.

Ninja Theory

Ninja Theory joined Rare under the Xbox Game Studios banner in June, 2018. The amount that Microsoft paid for Ninja Theory is largely unknown, but the acquisition gave Microsoft access to an incredible roster of games. Among these are Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice, Heavenly Sword, Devil May Cry, and Disney Infinity. The studio is currently working on Hellblade 2: Senua’s Saga.

Compulsion Games

Compulsion Games is another studio that was acquired by Microsoft in 2028 for an undisclosed amount. As far as its most famous games go, Compulsion Games has but two; Contrast and We Happy Few.

Undead Labs

Microsoft was incredibly busy acquiring game studios in 2018, as you’ve seen above. Undead Labs is yet another studio that formed part of the mass 2018 acquisition. Undead Labs is known mainly for developing State of Decay, and the studio is currently working on State of Decay 3.

Obsidian Entertainment

You can probably guess by now what year Obsidian Entertainment became part of the Microsoft family; yes, 2018. This developer is well-known for numerous games and titles such as Fallout: New Vegas, The Outer Worlds, Pillars of Eternity, and Grounded.

Double Fine

Here’s a change, Microsoft bought Double Fine in June of 2019. We don’t know how much Microsoft paid for Double Fine, but we do know the studio for games such as Broken Age, Psychonauts, and Grim Fandango Remastered.

Why is Microsoft paying so much for Activision Blizzard?

In order for Activision Blizzard to make it onto the list above, Microsoft has to pay an astronomical $69 Billion. For reference, $69 Billion is higher than the GDP (Gross Domestic Product) of Costa Rica, Luxembourg, Panama,Bahrain, or Iceland. It’s a lot of money. Microsoft is ready and willing to shell this exorbitant number out on Activision Blizzard, but why?

Microsoft is willing to pay so much for a game publisher because of how it could affect the gaming industry in the future. It’s no secret that Microsoft isn’t the biggest player in the gaming industry. In fact, Microsoft accounts for only 20% of the console gaming market. That leaves a lot to be desired when you’re trying to build what will essentially be the Netflix of gaming.

The only way for Microsoft to realistically drive up its console user base is to provide incentive for players to buy an Xbox over anything else. This is where console exclusives come in. A console exclusive is essentially a deal between a developer and a console manufacturer, such as Polyphony Digital and Sony.

This deal ensures that in order to play Polyphony Digital’s games, such as the Gran Turismo franchise, players would need to buy a Sony PlayStation, as this is the only platform where these games are available. You cannot play any of the Gran Turismo games on a PC or Xbox console. Therefore, Sony and its PlayStation platform have exclusive rights to the Gran Turismo game and exclusive access to its players.

However, for other games, it isn’t entirely as cut and dried. Many people believe that Call of Duty, developed by Infinity Ward, is a PlayStation exclusive. But it hasn’t been for a long time. Right now, you can play Call of Duty: Ghost, Vanguard and Modern Warfare II on Xbox as well as PlayStation. Yet, there are certain in-game perks that are only available on PlayStation. Numerous other titles work this way too; even though they aren’t fully exclusive to one console or another, they provide perks for players on certain platforms and not for those on others.

This dynamic that game developers and publishers have with console manufacturers is bound to change after the acquisition goes through and Microsoft officially owns Activision Blizzard. We’re bound to see a lot more games turn into Xbox and PC exclusives, and more games will likely be available on Xbox Game Pass than ever before. This means that more people than before will be buying PCs and Xbox consoles in order to enjoy the latest releases by developers housed within Activision Blizzard’s stables.

This is what Microsoft is paying $69 Billion for; not the company or its games, but the influence that those incredible titles have over consumers and the choices that they make when it comes to buying consoles and gaming systems.

How will this acquisition affect Sony?

I want to interject here for a minute. We’ll cover what this means for Xbox in a bit, but I wanted to give Sony some love. Sony’s world is likely going to be very different after the acquisition goes through. Depending on the concessions that Microsoft is forced to make, Sony is likely going to lose a lot of its associated games and developers.

See, publishers see what happens when you join the Microsoft family, especially now with Xbox Game Pass. This pass basically means that more people will be able to play your game for far cheaper than the full price they’d have to pay on PlayStation. Xbox Game Pass lets you pay a small fee each month and choose from a revolving roster of the most popular games. Around $10 a month to play any game you want, for as long as you want, as many times as you want, on PC or Xbox? That’s the benchmark for developers right now. More players mean a wider audience, which is bound to drive up game sales in the future.

Sony doesn’t work the same way. Yes, it has a subscription service as well, but it’s complicated and far less enticing. Essentially, you now have three tiers, whereas you used just to have PlayStation Plus. Each tier comes with its own perks, unique titles, and features that you can choose. Sony claims that this lets users create the perfect package with only the features that they want. But Xbox Game Pass is so much easier. One pass, countless games. Even Electronic Arts’ EA Play is more straightforward and intuitive.

Short of joining the needlessly complicated PlayStation subscription service, your only option is to pay full price for each game. Games are expensive. If PlayStation doesn’t create a more user-friendly and less intricate subscription system, it’s going to lose gamers to Microsoft and Xbox. The acquisition becoming finalized will mean far less PlayStation exclusive content, likely less PlayStation console sales, and might even lead to the decline of Sony’s 64.5% majority share in the console gaming market.

How will this acquisition affect Xbox?

We’ve already touched on this a few times by now, but the acquisition will likely lead to a massive windfall for Xbox. To be clear, the acquisition being made official doesn’t mean that all of Activision Blizzard’s IP will become Xbox exclusives. In fact, Xbox has already confirmed that Call of Duty, in particular, will remain on PlayStation.

Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming, recently stated in an interview that ‘As long as there’s a PlayStation out there to ship to, our intent is that we continue to ship Call of Duty on PlayStation, similar to what we’ve done with Minecraft. Since we’ve owned that, we’ve expanded the places people can play Minecraft. We haven’t reduced the places, and it’s been good for the Minecraft community, in my opinion, and I want to do the same as we think about where Call of Duty can go over the years.’

This statement actually changes the entire reality of the acquisition. Microsoft does not intend to take games away from platforms, but rather make them available on more platforms. This kind of business approach may seem counterintuitive. But you need to remember that while there may be a rivalry between Xbox and PlayStation, neither company is trying to decimate the other. However, the fact still remains that people aren’t likely to own more than one console at a time, and consumers are likely to opt for the console with the greatest choice and best service.

At the moment, the best service award goes to Xbox for its Xbox Game Pass, but PlayStation still has more games by AAA developers. The acquisition, while it may not take games from PlayStation, will certainly bring more games to Xbox and Xbox Game Pass. This is bound to make Xbox the more attractive option among the two consoles and drive up Xbox sales and Microsoft’s market share in the console gaming industry.

To summarise

Microsoft could have done a heck of a lot with $96 Billion. But theorizing about how many islands, mansions, or yachts Microsoft execs could have bought for that money would be ignorant. That kind of line of commentary would be appropriate if the situation was that Microsoft found it had $69 Billion just lying around and wanted to blow it.

Then, we could theorize about all the other things that the company could have bought. However, the situation is that Microsoft doesn’t want anything else. Microsoft wants more relevance in the wider gaming industry. That is what Microsoft is paying for.