More Microsoft - Activision/Blizzard merger drama. There's a new switch on the horizon. Politics invades our video game worlds and Xbox home screen gets a face lift.http://www.joystickandmouse.com

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Microsoft and Activision Blizzard have agreed to extend their merger agreement pending the outcome of negotiations with UK regulators. Both parties will now have until October 18th to finalize the transaction, after missing last weeks original deal deadline. Microsoft will argue its case for its proposed Activision Blizzard deal to be reconsidered for approval to the UK this coming week using the details from the FTC failed attempts to block the deal.https://www.theverge.com/2023/7/19/23797238/microsoft-activision-blizzard-merger-agreement-extensionhttps://www.theverge.com/2023/7/31/23813956/microsoft-activision-blizzard-cma-argument-uk-regulator

Nintendo’s next console will reportedly be portable like the Switch and is targeting a release in the second half of 2024, according to a new report today from VideoGamesChronicle. VGC cites “multiple people with knowledge of Nintendo’s next-gen console plans” that reveal Nintendo’s Switch successor is aiming for a release in the second half of next year, to ensure there’s plenty of stock at launch. Nintendo wants to avoid the stock shortages that plagued the PlayStation 5 and Xbox Series X/S release for months (and years for some). https://www.gameinformer.com/news/2023/07/31/nintendos-next-console-will-reportedly-be-portable-like-switch-targeting-secondhttps://www.videogameschronicle.com/news/sources-nintendo-switch-2-targets-2024-with-next-gen-console/

Russian propaganda is spreading into the world’s video games. In Minecraft, the immersive game owned by Microsoft, Russian players re-enacted the battle for Soledar, a city in Ukraine that Russian forces captured in January, posting a video of the game on their country’s most popular social media network, VKontakte.https://www.nytimes.com/2023/07/30/technology/russia-propaganda-video-games.html

Starting July 23rd, a new Home experience is rolling out to all Xbox Series X|S and Xbox One consoles. This update is designed from player feedback and makes it easier to discover new games, rediscover games you already love, connect with communities, and create a more personalized experience.https://news.xbox.com/en-us/2023/07/26/welcome-to-your-new-xbox-home/

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