Vivendi: New game rumours are untrue

Activision Blizzard parent Vivendi has squashed industry chatter that it is opening a new games business.

Recent rumours swirled that the entertainment firm, which last week bought record label EMI, wants to establish a digital games company separate from the Call of Duty and Warcraft publisher it has a 60 per cent stake in.

Nose-tappers said Vivendi was annoyed” Activision dominates boxed but not digital.

But Vivendi issued a robust denial. It’s definitely no. This is not happening. There is nothing in the offing,” a senior spokesperson said.