Could Microsoft’s Deal Lead to a Better Activision Blizzard?
Bobby Kotick has released a statement on Microsoft’s purchase of Activision Blizzard. And while the wording was vague, it could imply that he’ll be leaving the moment Microsoft sees no use for him. And according to sources in the Wall St. Journal, those implications may be more likely than you think.
According to a Microsoft spokesperson, “Bobby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard, and he and his team will maintain their focus on driving efforts to further strengthen the company’s culture and accelerate business growth.” Which is, well, more or less what we expected. But this next bit? It’s enough to give hope to those who want Kotick gone. “Once the deal closes, the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, CEO, Microsoft Gaming.”
“Will report to” is fairly vague wording, but a source a the Wall St. Journal reports that the implication is intentional. Once the takeover is finalized, Kotick will no longer be needed and will get replaced.
And in case you’re wondering if this change of ownership will help repair the… situation at Activision Blizzard, the answer might be good news. Microsoft made sure to mention a positive workplace culture in several of their statements on this purchase. This proves that Activision Blizzard toxic image is very clear in their minds, and they recognize it as a terrible thing. To let those issues go unaddressed would spread the company’s tainted image onto Microsoft, and everyone involved knows how that ends. Microsoft must reform Activision Blizzard to some degree, or they (and their wallets) will suffer the same fate.