In a significant piece of stories for 2023, Microsoft has accomplished its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We’re now being flooded with information on how these firms are dealing with issues transferring ahead, together with statements from Kotick and Spencer, shared to Activision Blizzard King staff and Microsoft staff respectively.
“As we speak marks a milestone in our firm’s celebrated historical past. Combining with Microsoft will carry new sources and new alternatives to our extraordinary groups worldwide. It’ll additionally allow us to ship extra enjoyable, extra pleasure, and extra connection to extra gamers than ever earlier than,” Kotick says.
He outlines the corporate’s historical past since 1991, earlier than persevering with to debate what’s occurring now the Microsoft deal has gone forward. “I’ve lengthy mentioned that I’m absolutely dedicated to serving to with the transition. Phil has requested me to remain on as CEO of ABK, reporting to him, and we’ve got agreed that I’ll do this by means of the tip of 2023. We each look ahead to working collectively on a easy integration for our groups and gamers. Brian and I couldn’t be extra excited for the subsequent chapter for ABK. We now be a part of one of the profitable world firms, poised for unprecedented alternatives to attach the world by means of our video games. As part of Microsoft, we will probably be even higher, collectively.”
Spencer likewise feedback on Kotick’s continued involvement in his email to Microsoft staff. “We couldn’t be extra excited that Activision Blizzard staff are our colleagues, co-workers, and teammates. Bobby Kotick has agreed to stay in his function by means of the tip of 2023, reporting on to me, to make sure a easy and seamless integration. We look ahead to working collectively as a unified workforce and we are going to share extra updates on our new organizational construction within the coming months.”
Kotick’s future with Activision has been the subject of debate for fairly a while — ever since Early final yr, Spencer commented to say that Xbox’s altering relationship with Activision was not “virtue-shaming”. This remark got here after Spencer had beforehand advised workers that he was “evaluating” Microsoft’s relationship with Activision Blizzard following allegations of abuse. In the meantime, earlier this yr Kotick denied any “systemic concern with harassment” at Activision Blizzard and mentioned that there was a “very aggressive labor motion working laborious to try to destabilize the corporate.”