Controversial Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is on his way out. Following the just announced finalisation of the Microsoft x Activision acquisition, Kotick’s tenure already has an end date.
Via Bloomberg games journalist and author Jason Schreier, Kotick’s employment as the CEO of Activision Blizzard has already been confirmed as limited. The current CEO will leave the Call of Duty publisher at the start of 2024.
Kotick has been the CEO of the historic games company for the past 33 years. The CEO took over the company in 1991. Activision was one of the first independent games publishers since its foundation as Computer Arts Inc in 1979.
“As the Microsoft-Activision deal closes, Bobby Kotick says he'll stay on as CEO through the end of the year,” Schreier explains. “On January 1, 2024, Kotick will depart the company he took over 33 years ago — a massive change for the video game industry.”
Kotick’s tenure at the massive video games publisher has been heavily criticized in recent years. Following years of rampant sexual abuse and harassment at Activision Blizzard — with one female worker sadly taking her own life as a result — fans demanded the CEO step down.
Kotick has also been criticised for his predatory business practices. The CEO has vied for higher game prices, more microtransactions in software, and getting players hooked on game IPs to exploit them in the future.
Following the reveal that Xbox would be acquiring Activision Blizzard, many hoped that this would force Kotick out of the games publisher. However, it seems the CEO will also be paid a massive severance package for leaving his highly profitable position at the games industry giant.
Before Kotick leaves the company, Activision Blizzard release the next entry in its industry leading Call of Duty series: Modern Warfare 3. The new CoD game will continue to be a multiplatform release across Xbox, PlayStation and PC.