Although the waters are much calmer than a few months ago, the difficult situation that Activision Blizzard is going through has not disappeared. In October we learned that more than 20 employees had been dismissed directly, while many others were subjected to disciplinary corrections.
Now, thanks to the information revealed by The Wall Street Journal, we have been able to know the current figures. are already 37 workers who have left the company and 44 those who were subject to disciplinary retaliation for their conduct, all since the scandal broke out in July 2021. All this has been confirmed to the media by Helaine Klasky, spokesperson for Activision Blizzard.
Where both parties differ is in the number of reports that have come in the form of complaints or denunciations by the staff, with the newspaper placing the total at 700. Klasky does not agree with this and clarifies that many of the problems range from publications in social networks, until “a small number” of potentially serious claims that have been investigated.
The sources consulted by TWSJ indicate that more than 90% of the potential 700 reports have already been reviewed by the company, with the only confirmation being that two employees were laid off in October for their inappropriate sexual behavior.
Bobby Kotick is singled out again
Continue recounting the publication that Activision Blizzard had marked on its agenda to publish a summary, before Christmas, of how all the measures had been dealt with. This did not see the light and the sources indicate that the final decision was made by Bobby Kotick, CEO of the company.
The reason is that this publication could make the current problems were bigger than what is already known. Regarding this issue, Klasky stated that it is “false” information and that “our focus is to make sure we have accurate data and analysis to share.”
In fact, the spokeswoman has specified that “the board’s support for Bobby has not changed and they are pleased with the commitment and leadership that Bobby has shown so far.” This statement is consistent with what was consulted by the media.
Several open fronts
One of the latest problems that Activision Blizzard has had to face has been the controversy that arose with LEGO regarding an Overwatch 2 set that was going to be released shortly. The block company suspended its sale, claiming to be reviewing its relations with the creators of the title. Klasky has limited himself to stating that Activision is evaluating LEGO’s position and communicating the changes they are making.
Another focus of attention has been that of the groups of shareholders that have been frontally opposed to everything that has happened up to now. In the last weeks, These types of messages have increased in recent weeks by investors, as indicated by TWSJ. Once again, Klasky has not gone into depth on the subject, noting that the company is always “in conversations with our shareholders about the inquiries they make.”
On the other hand, the comptroller of the state of New York, in charge of supervising that the operation of banks and companies is safe according to the law, has spoken for TWSJ. Thomas P. DiNapoli has recounted asking Activision Blizzard to “give us answers, but we keep all other options open to address these troubling allegations.
The Raven Software strike continues
If all this were not enough, the strike started at Raven Software is still going on. This is the third movement of this type by the squad and the first that has lasted over time. Specifically, there are several dozen workers who do not go to their jobs, claiming the return of 12 part-time workers from the study.
Those 12 employees were personnel directed to the department of quality control of the games of Call of Duty and his colleagues who are still employed are involved in the protest. There is no date for the end of this strike and the group has indicated that Activision Blizzard has not responded to their demands, as indicated by The Washington Post.
Of course, a letter was sent at the beginning of the strike in December, warning that the consequences of initiating union action be considered. This situation has finally had an impact on Call of Duty: Warzone, which presents bugs to be fixed in the future.