Bobby Kotick Will Remain As Activision CEO, Confirms Microsoft

Update: Kotick told The New York Times this afternoon that he will be "available as needed" after the acquisition goes through, and reportedly declined to confirm that he will be CEO after the deal has been finalised.

Additionally, The Wall Street Journal has suggested that Kotick will be leaving his role following the acquisition.


Original story: In case you missed the news, Microsoft has announced plans to purchase Activision Blizzard in a deal worth just under $70 billion — and it's been stated that Bobby Kotick will "continue to serve" as the company's CEO for now.

Kotick has been in the firing line recently after the company was sued over a culture of harassment and discrimination, which even led to Xbox boss Phil Spencer stating Microsoft was "evaluating" its relationship with the business.

However, in a press release distributed earlier today, Microsoft confirmed Kotick would remain in place:

"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. Once the deal closes, the Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil Spencer, CEO, Microsoft Gaming."

Microsoft CEO Satya Nadella stated in the press release that the company is "investing deeply in world-class content, community and the cloud to usher in a new era of gaming that puts players and creators first and makes gaming safe, inclusive and accessible to all."

Kotick also had a few comments to share, highlighting that "the combination of Activision Blizzard's world-class talent and extraordinary franchises with Microsoft's technology, distribution, access to talent, ambitious vision and shared commitment to gaming and inclusion will help ensure our continued success in an increasingly competitive industry."

You can find the full press release regarding today's news over at the Microsoft website.

[source news.microsoft.com]