EU Wants To Know If Microsoft Will Block Rivals After Activision Deal

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Police arrest Rockstar hacker who leaked Grand Theft Auto 6 data
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Games developers, publishers and distributors were asked whether the deal would affect their bargaining power regarding the terms for selling console and PC games via Microsoft's Xbox and its cloud game streaming service Game Pass.

'We recently suffered a network intrusion in which an unauthorized third party illegally accessed and downloaded confidential information from our systems, including early development footage for the next Grand Theft Auto,' Rockstar said in a statement. 

The EU competition enforcer also asked if Activision's trove of user data would give the U.S. software giant a competitive advantage in the development, publishing and distribution of computer and console games, the EU document shows.

'I will say that this case is definitely a time to remind parents that it's very important to know who your children are friends with, whether that's in the classroom, social media apps, Snapchat, TikTok and then also gaming platforms.'

They asked if such exclusivity clauses would reinforce Microsoft's Windows operating system versus rivals, and whether the addition of Activision to its PC operating system, cloud computing services and game-related software tools gives it an advantage in the video gaming industry.

A note on the game's website says: 'JK Rowling is not involved in the creation of the game, but as creator of the wizarding world and one of the world's greatest storytellers, her extraordinary body of writing is the foundation of all projects in the Wizarding World. 

'It's a PR disaster, possibly sets back production and hurts morale,' financial services company Jefferies wrote in a client note, warning the potential leak of the game's source code could pose a bigger threat.
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PlayStation has told gamers that they will be able to 'decide the fate' of the magical universe, and will 'encounter missions and scenarios that will pose difficult choices and determine what they stand for'.

It's-a him. Chris Pratt as Mario in the movie. OK, so co-producer Chris Meledandri confirmed back in 2021 that Pratt wasn't going to use the stereotyped voice of the video game plumber in the upcoming animated Mario film. But on Thursday, Nintendo dropped a highly anticipated teaser trailer for The Super Mario Bros. Movie, and poker Pkv Pratt revealed, kind of, the voice he did choose.

The questionnaire, with about 100 questions, asked which of the rivals such as Nvidia's GeForce Now, Sony's Playstation, Google Stadia, Amazon Luna and Facebook Gaming could be considered the most attractive following the deal.

Sure, there was no way Pratt was going to use the exaggerated, stereotypical voice, but so little of him can actually be heard in the teaser it's tough to say how his Mario will sound. He doesn't deliver any of Mario's famed catchphrases -- no "It's-a me, Mario" or "Wahoo!" Maybe more will be revealed when a longer trailer comes along. Regardless, there's a better chance to hear some of Jack Black's Bowser (he's excellent) and a good look at the vibrant animation.

‘The second 12-year-old female from Lufkin, who Sheriff's investigators believe was involved with the planning of the shooting, was taken into custody last week and has been charged with conspiracy to commit murder.'

Regulators also wanted to know if there would be sufficient alternative suppliers in the market following the deal and also in the event Microsoft decides to make Activision's games exclusively available on its Xbox, its Games Pass and its cloud game streaming services.

BRUSSELS, Oct 6 (Reuters) - EU antitrust regulators are asking games developers whether Microsoft will be incentivised to block rivals' access to "Call of Duty" maker Activision Blizzard's best-selling games, according to an EU document seen by Reuters.

The trailer did reveal Jack Black as Bowser, and Keegan-Michael Key as Toad. But some fans were disappointed that the clip didn't include a clip of Seth Rogen as Donkey Kong, especially the actor's infamous laugh.

"It's been a lifelong dream of mine to be Mario," Pratt says in a video clip preceding the trailer, relating how he played Mario games on a machine at his childhood laundromat. Good to know, but the jury is still out on how that dream will become a reality. 

Honestly, the much-anticipated Pratt-as-Mario voice was kind of a letdown. There's ... maybe a faint bit of Italian accent in the few lines Pratt speaks? Or is he just using his normal voice? Pratt's Mario mostly just reacts to getting the wind knocked out of him as he heads off on his Mushroom Kingdom adventure.