Microsoft has announced that Bobby Kotick will depart from Activision Blizzard on December 29. They have not yet outlined a direct replacement, however, Activision/Blizzard’s executives will now work directly for Microsoft’s game content and studios president Matt Booty.
Bobby Kotick is easily the most hated executive in video game history. Not only is he known for his predatory business practices, but also the numerous sexual assault and harassment allegations that have been levied against him. Microsoft recently purchased Activision Blizzard in a monumental acquisition in the gaming industry. With the purchase, Bobby Kotick will finally be departing the company he’s been a part of since 1991.
Bobby Kotick Will Depart Activision Blizzard on December 29
An article from The Verge officially confirmed that Kotick will be leaving Activision Blizzard on December 29. A replacement hasn’t been appointed. Instead, Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, Activision publishing president Rob Kostich, and Activision Blizzard vice chair Thomas Tippl will work directly for Microsoft’s game content and studios president Matt Booty.
The leadership shakeup isn’t the first that has hit Microsoft and the companies under it. Recently, Sarah Bond was promoted to Xbox President. Additionally, Pete Hines departed Bethesda after 24 years at the company, with Jamie Leder taking his place. For now, Matt Booty will be the sole executive presiding over Xbox Game Studios, Activision Blizzard, and Bethesda.
On October 9, Activision Blizzard posted a tweet talking about putting their games on Game Pass:
“It’s awesome to see anticipation building for Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III. As we continue to work toward regulatory approval of the Microsoft deal, we’ve been getting some questions whether our upcoming and recently launched games will be available via Game Pass.
While we do not have plans to put Modern Warfare III or Diablo IV into Xbox Game Pass this year, once the deal closes, we expect to start working with Xbox to bring our titles to more players around the world. And we anticipate that we would begin adding games into Game Pass sometime in the course of next year.”
Bobby Kotick will leave Activision Blizzard on December 29. Stay tuned for more details on Activision Blizzard’s plans under Microsoft/Xbox in the coming weeks and months.
