Bobby Kotick to leave CEO post at Activision Blizzard
Dec 21, 2023 8:56 AMActivision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is set to step down from his role by the end of December, as announced recently. This departure follows Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard a couple of months ago. Kotick has been with Activision since 1991 and through the merger with Vivendi Games in 2008, he became CEO of the combined entity, Activision Blizzard. Under his leadership, the company has seen significant success with franchises like Call of Duty, Diablo, and Tony Hawk's Pro Skater. However, the company has also faced controversy over allegations of a toxic workplace culture and sexual harassment claims, leading to a $54 million settlement.
With Kotick's exit, key executives from Activision Blizzard will report to Matt Booty, Microsoft's head of game content and studios. Additionally, it was announced that Jill Braff will become the new head of ZeniMax and Bethesda, indicating a shift in leadership within the Microsoft gaming division. Despite these changes at the executive level, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer has assured that day-to-day operations for most employees will remain largely unchanged.
What changes can employees of Activision Blizzard expect following Bobby Kotick's departure?
According to Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer, most Activision Blizzard employees will not experience any major changes in their daily work. The organizational shift is primarily at the executive level, with key Activision Blizzard leaders now reporting to Matt Booty, which suggests a consolidation of leadership under Microsoft’s gaming division after the acquisition. The overall structure and functioning of teams are expected to remain consistent.
Samira Khan
Samira Khan is a narrative enthusiast with a keen eye for storytelling in games. Her literary approach to game criticism examines themes, character development, and plot structure, earning her a following among gamers who appreciate the art of narrating.
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Rolling R!ck commented on: 2023-12-21 09:38:06
Bobby Kotick stepping down as the boss of Activision Blizzard marks the end of an era filled with both high scores and low points. The real boss level challenge for Microsoft now is keeping the game culture healthy while they integrate new plays from their leadership playbook.
Miss Peachy commented on: 2023-12-21 09:18:06
Bobby Kotick stepping down marks the end of an era, but also signals a potential for fresh leadership and much-needed cultural change within Activision Blizzard. It'll be interesting to see how Microsoft's influence steers the company and whether it can navigate the balance between maintaining successful franchises and renovating workplace practices.
Mr. Bison commented on: 2023-12-21 09:08:08
Bobby Kotick stepping down is the end of an era for Activision Blizzard, and it's a big signal for cultural change, especially after all the controversies. It'll be interesting to see how the new leadership under Microsoft, with Matt Booty and Jill Braff at the helm, will impact the company's direction and whether they'll manage to level up the workplace environment.
