The purchase of ActivisionBlizzard by microsoft It is, except for another surprise, the most important news in the video game industry during 2022. However, given the problems that the American publisher is dragging in relation to the toxic work environment, the question arises about how Microsoft will manage this situation. A question that many are asking themselves in recent hours is: What will happen to Bobby Kotick, current CEO of Activision Blizzard?
Bobby Kotick is one of many singled out for Activision’s troubles. According to a report from The Wall Street Journal published at the end of 2021, the aforementioned manager, in addition to allegedly protecting employees involved in cases of sexual harassment, would have been accused of shameful acts. “Over the years, Kotick himself has been accused by various women of misconduct in and out of the workplace, and in some cases has maneuvered to resolve complaints quickly and quietly,” the report said.
Given such a scenario, it is unlikely that Microsoft will keep him at the helm of Activision Blizzard in the future. According to The Wall Street Journal, once the publisher buyout is approved, Bobby Kotick will step down. But while that happens, the much-criticized Kotick will stay on as CEO. He will even be a key figure in the transition and, according to Microsoft, will continue to drive efforts to improve Activision’s work culture:
“Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard, and he and his team will remain focused on driving efforts to further strengthen the company’s culture and accelerate business growth. Once the deal closes, Activision Blizzard will report back.” to Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming.”
Bobby Kotick would remain as CEO until 2023
When will the deal close? If everything goes as expected, and the regulatory bodies are not an obstacle, Activision Blizzard will become part of Microsoft in June 2023. It will be at that moment, then, that Bobby Kotick would step down from his position, one that he will have held for three decades.
Brandon Ross, an analyst at LightShed Ventures, spoke with polygonal about the seemingly temporary tenure of Bobby Kotick. “In that closing period [de la negociación], someone has to run the company. Kotick will retain power, but will be in constant communication with Microsoft. It assumes the deal will go through and wants to drive the smoothest integration with your organization, and make sure it doesn’t stray too far from the essential needs of the combined business.”