Massive Industry Shifts: Microsoft's $69B Activision Buyout, Xbox Roadmap Leaks, 9K Layoffs, GTA 6 Announced Amid AI Backlash
• Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, gaining control of massive franchises like Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and Overwatch
• Confidential Xbox roadmap leaks, revealing plans for new console hardware in 2024 and 2028 along with potential crypto integration
• Roughly 9,000+ gaming jobs lost due to layoffs across the industry's major publishers and studios
• Backlash grows against the use of AI tools in game development, with concerns about cost-cutting and job losses
• After years of anticipation, Grand Theft Auto 6 is officially announced by Rockstar Games, targeted for 2025 release