In July 2021, the state of California filed a lawsuit against Activision, citing a culture of “constant sexual harassment” that includes inappropriate comments and physical groping of female employees by male employees, and the suit claimed top officials were aware of or complicit with workplace concerns.
Though Kotick reportedly told executives that he was unaware of many of the allegations of misconduct, a Wall Street Journal report from 2021 cited memos, emails, and other documents demonstrating Kotick was aware of complaints made in various parts of the company and, in some circumstances, did not notify the company’s board of directors or, if informed, downplayed the severity of the charges to the board.
Man….almost too many things to mention, not least of which threatening to have an assistant killed over voicemail, covering up abuse, and generally being a terrible human being: https://t.co/RDOZ15XFWK
— Jordan Maison (@JordanMaison) October 13, 2023
Employees have criticized Kotick and Activision, and in some cases have sought Kotick’s resignation. Employees initially staged a walkout in July 2021, one week after the firm was sued by California, to protest the corporation’s workplace culture and sexual harassment claims.
Bobby Kotick announces his Activision exit
Following the November 2021 Wall Street Journal report, more than 100 employees demanded that Kotick be replaced as CEO. Employees have started a petition demanding for Kotick’s resignation in November 2021, which received over 1,800 signatures.
The petition said that signatories no longer have confidence in Bobby Kotick’s leadership as CEO of Activision Blizzard due to reports regarding his behaviors and practices in the running of the companies.
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said he’ll remain at the helm “through the end of 2023” and he’ll report to Microsoft $MSFT Gaming CEO Phil Spencer
Here’s the full email Kotick sent to Activision employees ⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️⬇️ pic.twitter.com/734MO70TbM
— Evan (@StockMKTNewz) October 13, 2023
Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard, contacted staff following the announcement of Microsoft’s successful $69 billion acquisition to declare that he was “fully committed to helping with the transition” and that he would remain CEO until the end of 2023.
Kotick will leave in December after assisting with Microsoft’s $69 billion acquisition of Activision, which closed recently, nearly two years after it was initially disclosed.
Today Blizzard officially joined Xbox.
And Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will step down from his position as CEO on January 1, 2024. Bobby Kotick is reportedly responsible for many of the delays in Overwatch 2’s development. #Overwatch2 pic.twitter.com/Mho56anEnH
— Naeri X 나에리 (@OverwatchNaeri) October 14, 2023
Kotick exiting Activision has garnered positive responses from the gaming community on X. Fans are happy to have got this news. @TheMW2Ghost posted, “The lizard finally falls” after Kotick’s leaving Activision news came forward. @Wizardking42 posted “Hopefully out of the industry for good” @Gokuthegrate posted “Has hell frozen over? I honestly didn’t see this coming”
Activision’s CEO Bobby Kotick will step down in December after a 32-year tenure marred by controversies, including allegations of a toxic workplace, as a result of Microsoft’s acquisition of video game company Activision Blizzard.