Speculations Arise About Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick Departing in the Near Future

Almost two years ago, it was reported that Activision Blizzard CEO and founder Bobby Kotick would be leaving the company after Microsoft acquired the Call of Duty giant. After the deal closed in October, it was revealed that Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer had asked Kotick to stay on for a while, but now he is officially departing, as many had anticipated.

Kotick will reportedly depart from Activision Blizzard with an enormous pay package of around $400 million. The Verge reported that his official departure date is December 29. While he may not have a direct replacement, Microsoft is introducing a new organizational structure that includes Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, Activision Publishing president Rob Kostich, and Activision Blizzard vice chair Thomas Tippl, all reporting to Xbox executive Matt Booty.

Activision Blizzard's communication leader Lulu Meservey is set to depart on January 31, while Blizzard and King vice chair Humam Sakhnini will be leaving at the end of December. According to The Verge, "a number of other" Activision Blizzard executives are also expected to depart in March, but no names were disclosed.

Bobby Kotick has been the CEO of Activision since 1991 and has remained at the helm ever since. He has been involved in several controversies. Most recently, Activision Blizzard announced a settlement with the state of California and agreed to pay $54 million to the state, along with an additional $47 million to female employees who were with the company from 2015 to 2020.

Activision Blizzard was accused in a 2021 lawsuit of promoting a workplace culture filled with sexual harassment reminiscent of a "frat boy" atmosphere. However, the company and the California Civil Rights Department stated in the settlement agreement that their investigations did not reveal any evidence of "systemic or widespread sexual harassment."

The settlement agreement also indicated that an investigation into Activision's board, including CEO Kotick, found no evidence of wrongdoing. In response to the allegations in the lawsuit, Activision Blizzard announced measures it had implemented to establish a more responsible workplace.

The lawsuit was a contributing factor in Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, the company responsible for Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. As a result of the lawsuit's allegations, Activision Blizzard's stock price dropped significantly, ultimately leading to Microsoft's $69 billion purchase of the company. In addition to this lawsuit, Activision Blizzard has also resolved other legal cases in recent years. For instance, in March 2022, the company settled a separate sexual harassment lawsuit with the Federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission, paying $18 million. Furthermore, in February 2023, Activision Blizzard paid $35 million in a settlement with the SEC over claims of inadequate disclosure of information to investors.

Editor's P/S

As a hard fan of Activision Blizzard games, I am deeply saddened by the news of Bobby Kotick's departure. Kotick has been a visionary leader who has guided the company through many successful years. Under his leadership, Activision Blizzard has become one of the most successful gaming companies in the world. I am grateful for his contributions to the gaming industry and wish him all the best in his future endeavors.

However, I am also concerned about the future of Activision Blizzard. The company has been embroiled in controversy in recent years, and Kotick's departure could create further instability. I hope that Microsoft, which recently acquired Activision Blizzard, will be able to provide the company with the stability and leadership it needs to move forward. I am confident that Activision Blizzard will continue to be a major player in the gaming industry, and I look forward to seeing what the company accomplishes in the years to come.