Episode 5 - The $75.5 Billion Flex: Microsoft Buys Activision Blizzard

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Mergers and acquisitions have been especially big business in the video game industry throughout the last year. Nevertheless, when Tuesday brought the news that Microsoft had agreed to purchase Activision Blizzard in an epic $75.5 billion all-cash deal, gamers the world over collectively said, "Holy #@*%!"
We discuss the record-breaking buyout and what it might mean for the future of Activision Blizzard's troubled company culture (including CEO Bobby Kotick), as well as possible implications for the hobby we love.
We'll also be covering PlayStation’s "inevitable" Game Pass rival, the new Donkey Kong game rumored to be in development for the Nintendo Switch, the blowback on Troy Baker's AI voice NFT promotion, and the PS5 / Xbox Series X scalper who claims he’s "creating young entrepreneurs".
Finally, class is in session with Professor Ryebread in our Gaming History 101 segment. In this episode, we're looking back at the strange and scandalous birth of the ESRB.
This episode has been proudly sponsored by the Retro Game Club Podcast! Please visit them at linktr.ee/retrogameclub (linktr.ee/retr...) .
Check out our guest, Trevor, in his show, New Dad Gaming Podcast, at linktr.ee/Newdadgaming (linktr.ee/Newd...) .
Hosts: @retrogamebrews ( / retrogamebrews ) , @donniegretro ( / donniegretro ) , @wrytersview ( / wrytersview ) , @newdadgaming ( / newdadgaming )
Opening theme: "Gamers Week Theme" by Akseli Takanen (akselitakanen....)
Patron theme: "Chiptune Boss" by @donniegretro ( / donniegretro )
Closing theme: "Neon City" by @donniegretro ( / donniegretro )
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