In a long-anticipated move, Bobby Kotick, the controversial CEO of Activision Blizzard, is set to leave as CEO on December 29, following Microsoft’s acquisition of the gaming giant. The departure of Kotick marks a significant transition in the gaming industry and paves the way for a new era for Activision Blizzard under the Xbox banner.
A departure preordained by Microsoft leadership
The departure of Bobby Kotick from Activision Blizzard comes as no surprise, as it had been previously signaled by Microsoft leadership several months ago. According to reports by Jason Schreier in October, Kotick was originally slated to step down from his role at the beginning of 2024.
Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard necessitated a change in leadership, and Kotick’s remaining time in the company was focused on ensuring a smooth transition.
On December 20, Bobby Kotick expressed his gratitude to employees in an email, thanking them for their dedication and hard work during his tenure, which spanned over 32 years.
In the email, Kotick stated, “I cannot adequately express the pride I have in the people who continue to contribute to our success and all those who have helped throughout my 32 years leading this company.”
A new chapter for activision Blizzard
With Bobby Kotick’s departure, Microsoft is set to consolidate Activision Blizzard into its gaming division, fully integrating it as a part of Microsoft Gaming. Instead of a direct replacement for Kotick, key executives from Activision Blizzard, including Thomas Tippl, vice chairman of Activision Blizzard, Rob Kostich, president of Activision, and Mike Ybarra, president of Blizzard, will now report directly to Matt Booty, who has been newly appointed as Microsoft’s president of Game Content and Studios.
In addition to Bobby Kotick, two other high-ranking executives within Activision Blizzard are stepping down from their roles. Humam Sakhnini, the vice chairman of Blizzard and King, and Lulu Meservey, the vice president of corporate affairs and chief communications officer of Activision Blizzard, are set to leave their positions, with their departures scheduled for January.
The departure of Bobby Kotick marks the first step towards a new chapter for Activision Blizzard as it becomes an integral part of Microsoft Gaming. The acquisition by Microsoft has raised expectations of a fresh start for the company, and it is hoped that this transition will leave behind the controversies that have plagued Activision Blizzard in recent years.
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