According to the Activision Newsroom, longtime CEO Bobby Kotick is set to step down from the company on December 29, 2023. The departure coincides with other leadership changes outlined by Spencer in a memo, emphasizing their impact on clarity and accountability within the organization. This announcement follows two months after Activision Blizzard secured a substantial $68.7 million deal with Microsoft.
As reported initially by The Verge in a December note, Activision shared Kotick’s email reflecting on his remarkable 32-year tenure at the company. During his tenure, Kotick played a pivotal role in bringing iconic game titles such as Call of Duty, Diablo, and World of Warcraft to fruition.
“I cannot adequately express the pride I have in the people who continue to contribute to our success and all supported me throughout my 32 years at the helm of this company have been instrumental. Now, we are a part of the world’s most admired company.” – Bobby Kotick
Kotick began his journey with Activision as a director in 1991. His role expanded, and in early 2008, he ascended to the position of CEO of Activision Blizzard following the company’s acquisition of Blizzard Studios.
Earlier this year, following the Microsoft merger deal, Kotick had indicated his intention to step down from his role by the end of 2023. Concluding his email, Kotick expressed his “gratitude and appreciation…” and conveyed, “As we move into our next exciting chapter, you could not be in better hands.“
What Lies Ahead for Activision Blizzard Post-Bobby Kotick?
Bobby Kotick faced criticism for various issues plaguing the company since the early 2010s, tarnishing Activision’s reputation among gaming fans. Long-standing problems like a toxic work culture, instances of sexual harassment, discrimination, and wage disparities persisted. Recently, Activision agreed to settle a California civil-rights lawsuit by paying nearly $55 million.
With new leadership taking the helm at the gaming giant, there’s hope that these negative issues might see resolution. Phil Spencer, head of Xbox, stated that it’s “business as usual” and assured that day-to-day operations will remain unchanged. In a memo, Spencer also extended gratitude to Bobby Kotick for his contributions to the company.
“Expressing my gratitude to Bobby for his invaluable contributions to this industry, his pivotal role in finalizing the Activision Blizzard acquisition, and his collaborative efforts post-acquisition. I wish him and his family the very best in his next chapter.” – Phil Spencer, Head of Xbox
As there’s no official announcement regarding Bobby’s replacement, certain executives are presently reporting to Matt Booty, president of gaming content and studios at Microsoft. The company’s future stance on improving its work culture, morals, and ethics remains to be seen.
As we bid farewell to Bobby Kotick for his tenure as CEO responsible for some of our beloved Activision Blizzard game titles, share your thoughts on the situation in the comments below.
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