As first reported nearly two years ago, Activision Blizzard CEO and founder Bobby Kotick is officially leaving the company following Microsoft’s acquisition of the Call of Duty giant. When Microsoft closed the deal in October, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer reportedly asked Kotick to stay on for the time being, and now he’s officially leaving as many expected.
“Phil shares our values and recognizes our talent. He’s passionate about our games and the people who make them. He’s boldly ambitious.” Kotik said in a memo to staff.
Kotik is reportedly leaving Activision Blizzard with a giant pay package with an area of 400 million dollars
In accordance with thresholdKotick will officially resign on December 29. He may not be replaced directly, but Microsoft will include Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, Activision publishing president Rob Kostich and Activision Blizzard vice president Thomas Tipple in a new organizational chart that will report to Xbox CEO Matt. booty
Head of Activision Blizzard Communications Lulu Maseravi leaves on January 31While Blizzard VP Hamam Sokhnini and King are leaving at the end of December. The Verge reported that “several other” Activision Blizzard executives are leaving in March, but did not name them.
Kotick became CEO of Activision in 1991 and has been the company’s top executive ever since. He has been involved in several controversies. Recently, Activision Blizzard announced a settlement with the state of California that will pay the state $54 million, plus an additional $47 million to female employees who worked at the company from 2015 to 2020.
A 2021 lawsuit accused Activision Blizzard of fostering a “fart boy” workplace culture riddled with sexual harassment. Activision Blizzard and the California Department of Civil Rights said in the settlement agreement that an investigation into the company’s culture found no evidence of “systemic or widespread sexual harassment.”
An investigation into Activision’s board, including Kotick, found no evidence of wrongdoing, according to the settlement agreement. Following the lawsuit’s claims, Activision Blizzard Announced The steps it had taken to create a “more responsive workplace”.
This lawsuit partially led to the purchase of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft. The publisher of Call of Duty and World of Warcraft saw its stock price drop significantly following allegations of a lawsuit that led to Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition.
Activision Blizzard has settled several other cases in recent years. In March 2022, Activision Blizzard settled a separate sexual harassment lawsuit with the federal Equal Employment Opportunity Commission for $18 million, and in February 2023 for $35 million over allegations that the publisher failed to properly disclose information. Dollar paid to the SEC. Investors.
