CEO Bobby Kotick will leave Activision Blizzard on January 1, 2024

Enlarge / Police officer Kotick, CEO of Activision Snow storm, In June, arriving has court In San Francis has bear witness In THE Federal Trade Commissions suit has stop from Microsoft acquisition of THE business Kotick has directed For 33 years. Getty Pictures

Police officer Kotick, CEO of Activision Snow storm, sent by email employees After news of from Microsoft successful $69 billion acquisition has say that he was "fully engaged has portion with THE transition" And that he would be stay on as CEO through THE END of 2023.

Kotick statement LEFT a few ambiguity about her plans For 2024, but Bloomberg Jason Schreier reports that on January 1, Kotick will leave. It is "A massive change For THE video game industry," Schreier writing, which seems almost restricted, given Kotick longevity And recent history. Several employees Schreier spoke has are "very excited For This agreement has go through," specifically has see direction change.

Kotick, WHO has directed Activision For more that 30 years And orchestra It is merger with Snow storm, had considered take a step down In late 2021. Following A trial Since THE State of California alleging A "fraternity boy culture" widespread with pay disparity And sexual harassment, A Wall Street Newspaper report alleged that Kotick failed has act on hundreds of abuse allegations In THE business And Also guard THE the society advice of directors In THE dark. Activision was Also for follow-up by It is shareholders And under pressure by State treasurers on It is secret And answers concerning THE California trial. All of This directed has A employee to go out And calls For Kotick resignation.

Kotick stood fast through THE gust of critical In 2021. In early 2022, Microsoft announcement It is intention has buy Activision, And THE Hourly, according to has reports Since Bloomberg And THE Wall Street Newspaper, was not A coincidence. Kotick, according to has Bloomberg, doesn't to want has sell but had little leverage with from Activision advice has refuse A offer. from Microsoft purchase, has $95 by share, compared with has THE roughly $65 by share When THE agreement was announcement, Free Kotick both A financial And narrative "gracious exit," according to has THE Newspapers sources.

Kotick said BusinessBeat After THE Microsoft announcement that he doesn't believe THE harassment And mismanagement accusations hurt THE the society action. He quoted delays In shipping Monitoring And Diablo the titles, along with Call of Homework sales performance.

While CEO of Activision, Kotick Termination without cause, Or "Termination by employee For GOOD reason following A change of control," guaranteed him almost $300 million. Bloomberg reports that Kotick bargain will likely be $375 million NOW that from Microsoft acquisition has disappeared through.