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560°

Bobby Kotick re-elected as Activision Blizzard CEO

One of the proposals voted on by the shareholders was on which directors would be elected to serve for another term, including Bobby Kotick in the role of CEO.

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Community1087d ago
SullysCigar1087d ago

Every swamp needs a toad, I guess.

frostypants1086d ago

I laughed way too hard at that.

neutralgamer19921086d ago (Edited 1086d ago )

Totally deserving of this. Works so hard and takes care of all employees and treats everyone equally

While at it give him a raise and make sure his bonus check is huge

Microsoft and Sony Sony make him the CEO of their companies too

Nothing but success

S/

fr0sty1086d ago

If Microsoft really cared, they'd be putting their foot down about this and saying the deal won't go through if they don't remove him.

Soulrakk1086d ago

Won't matter once the deal goes through. I highly doubt he'll still be there not long after.

DarXyde1086d ago (Edited 1086d ago )

That says something, doesn't it?

I don't understand the specifics and I'm unaware of the optics and politics of this deal... But to me, it sounds like, behind the scenes, Microsoft was coerced into allowing this to proceed as a condition for the deal. If I'm using a clear example of my thinking, it's a bit strange that were getting this news shortly after the announcement of some big titles from Activision being on game pass like Diablo 4. Imagine having to walk that back. It would blow up, and if this is the case, that would be very shameful on Microsoft's part.

Alternatively, I must wonder how much Activision really wants this deal to go through. I suspect they're taking advantage of the average gamer's short attention span. The terrible culture at Activision was incredibly caustic to their reputation and the hopes of an acquisition allowed a lot of people to have misplaced confidence in the coming changes... Now that the storm has died down, Kottick has an opportunity to remain.

Even crazier... Is Microsoft also thinking this deal will not go through? Did they just posture to rehabilitate Activision's image as a favor to secure something from Activision in the future?

I'm speculating, but if there's any truth to my speculation, that is disgusting and embarrassing.

KillBill1086d ago

Microsoft can't even enter into any discussion on this subject until after the deal is finalized. To do so would put the deal in jeopardy.

anubusgold1086d ago

microsoft has no power until they have control the share holders will stop anything they try.

anubusgold1086d ago (Edited 1086d ago )

Sony fanboys can disagree all they want its illegal for Microsoft to try to tell them anything before they actually own them they will get sued into the ground if the shareholders can prove it and fined by the government.

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KillBill1086d ago

MS has zero say in this and can't get involved.

Jin_Sakai1086d ago

Did anyone really think he would step down before the acquisition? Hopefully next year is his last!

1Victor1086d ago

I’m No surprised they only care about the money and he bring it in regardless of anything else a perfect fit for Microsoft next Xbox head of gaming division after Phil eventually drop the ball.

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Orchard1087d ago

They were always going to re-elect the same guy during a transition period like this. The sooner the MS deal closes the better, get him out of the door ASAP.

Eonjay1087d ago

So of course this is exactly to Microsoft's, the Board's and Kotick's plan. In order for him to get up to that 500+ million he has to be fired by Microsoft. That was their plan from the beginning. Its in his contract. This was the last real chance for the board to stop him from getting the impending gigantic payout. Now he is assured over half a billion from Microsoft in exchange for the buyout and being fired under Phil Spencer. Now Microsoft will pay him tripple salary on top of the stock buyout. They should have demanded him resgin as part of the deal beforehand but clearly Kotick was instrumental in crafting this deal. He laughs in your face every time you say '[Microsoft will] get him out the door'. NOW was the time to get him out.

Orchard1087d ago (Edited 1087d ago )

Not sure that's anything to do with MS - they have zero say in goings on at Activision prior to the acquisition being approved.

That being said, we all know he gets a payout for being booted out, but sometimes you just have to bite that bullet. It's a better option than having him in the industry for another decade or two - for both employees and gamers.

shadowhaxor1087d ago

Since MS didn't own the company, they couldn't demand anything. Of course, if/when MS owns the company, they don't have to fire him. They could demote him or remove him of any responsibilities, instead of firing him. The cleaning won't begin until this deal is finalized and completed.

Eonjay1087d ago

@shadowhaxor

Actually... I like the idea of demoting him. Thats a perfect solution.

Godmars2901087d ago

Thing is if he's not thrown fired or otherwise leaves, will it really reflect on MS?

Honestly think, like most cases of backlash they've suffered, it will only be temporary. With likelihood that if he does stay on, he may even be put in charge of MS.

Tacoboto1086d ago

Microsoft has $70 billion worth of things they could say about Kotick. But like how business is business, they leapt at the chance to get a good price over standing up for the values they project in press releases.

1086d ago
Orchard1086d ago

@Eonjay Demote him and make him report to those he abused and exploited over the years

@Hatchet well another way of looking at it is, they’re doing a favor to the employees of Activision who will now get better working conditions.

@Godmars Literally zero chance of him becoming head of MS lol. Phil Spencer won’t even get that role, it’ll be someone on the more corporate side of things who understands azure etc, gaming isn’t about to take over Microsoft.

Godmars2901086d ago

@Orchard:

Meant to say Xbox division.

shinoff21831086d ago

Dude isnt getting fired by ms.

RosweeSon1086d ago

Yeah people saying it’s not on Microsoft the Board wont allow it, money talks if Microsoft say we’re not having it sure they may just lose out but I’m pretty certain the shareholders would go oh ish do we want our major payouts as well lose the deal unless we get rid of 1 guy. 🤷🏻‍♂️🤣 hey ho now they’ve abandoned Tony hawks 3/4 like utter morons I have literally 0 interest in this company.

+ Show (7) more repliesLast reply 1086d ago
-Foxtrot1087d ago

Honestly, with the amount of shit this guy is bringing over, they should have just cut their losses and the bad PR , getting rid of him

Since they haven't, he'll be around even after the deal closes I reckon.

Orchard1087d ago (Edited 1087d ago )

It would need to be Activision who cut him (at this time) - and they won't shake the jello during an acquisition.

Microsoft have zero say in anything at this time. It's a bit like being in closing on a house. You can see the ugly wallpaper but you can't quite pull it off until all the paperwork is complete.

He's gone under MS for sure. No way they're going to keep such an employee around. Imagine the PR disaster.

shinoff21831086d ago

You right. Its probably being written into the contract about not getting rid of him or something to that extent

S2Killinit1086d ago

Ummm yeah no, stop deflecting please. This is MS.

Orchard1086d ago

MS who just fired someone of similar statute to Kotick over less? Yes. No deflection at all.

TheGreatGazoo301086d ago

MS can't even legally talk specifics about what their plans are for things when they take over. They don't own the company and have no say in any of this. I'd be illegal for them to interfere.

S2Killinit1085d ago

You think they can announce upcoming games and talk about the direction of the company but cant fire this guy if they wanted to?

gamer78041086d ago

Yup and people were complaining about MS buying them…

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MadLad1087d ago

He's out as soon as the MS deal goes into effect.
Until then, not surprised he's still around. He's a true scumbag, and horrible PR for the company, but he's also the reason Activision is as large as it is today. That's all that matters to investors.

PapaBop1086d ago

We can only hope. This acquisition gives MS the chance to wipe the slate clean with Activision Blizzard and score some major PR points in the process. Everything leads back to this guy, from a Blizzard fan's perspective, there is no redemption until this slimey POS is gone. Hopefully MS get it right.

S2Killinit1086d ago

I dont think that is happening.

MadLad1086d ago (Edited 1086d ago )

Based on what, exactly?
As soon as the acquisition goes into effect Spencer essentially takes on Kotick's role.

All studios underneath The Activision/Blizzard banner are now just first party studios for Microsoft Game Studios. They are no longer beholden to stockholders as they were acting solely as a large game publisher.
Kotick brings nothing to the table, as his expertise won't be applicable in the new environment that takes console sales into consideration, as well as the current focus by Microsoft with their Gamepass service.

MadLad1086d ago

Read my statement above. It makes no sense, and I have no idea why people would even think he'll remain after the close on the deal.

He's bad PR, his position and expertise is rendered irrelevant once the deal closes, and he has a severance written right into the purchase agreement.

Like, I'm watching people humoring the most illogical outcome post acquisition, and I have no idea where it's even coming from.

isarai1086d ago

@MadLad

You act like MS has never made illogical decisions before. Truth is most people who buy activision's games dont know or care who the CEO is. Dont know why you feel like a large corporation like MS would have such strong ethics, they want money, they'll keep whoever makes tham that money, until their presence starts affecting that money greatly, they dont care.

XiNatsuDragnel1087d ago

Oh heck no, in my opinion that's a disaster

ElCapitan0061087d ago

He will most likely be out of there shortly after the deal goes through. This is probably just a formality.

Kados1087d ago

Hopefully MS cleans house once the sale is complete. Get rid of Dobby Coatrack, and the entire board of directors.

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70°

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 devs praise games like Space Marine 2 for "lowering the barrier"

Warhammer 40,000: Boltgun 2 developers discuss the huge success of Space Marine 2 and its effect on the series as a whole.

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Jingsing14h ago

How about an official level editor for Boltgun?

220°

Phil Spencer Teases 2026 As A "Really Special Year" For Xbox

2026 will mark the 25th anniversary of Xbox, and Phil Spencer has teased it as a "really special year" for the games division.

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TheEroica1d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

You got downvotes by pathetic gamers for feeling hopeful about good games coming out next year. Imagine how small your brain must be to downvote someone excited for future gaming joy? It is pretty neat to see people's world view blow up in front of them as they realize Microsoft has put themselves in a driver's seat that Sony hasn't been able to touch all generation.... What's even more pathetic is the same people downvoting you are the same people wishlisting Microsoft games on their ps5s 😂

P_Bomb1d 2h ago

“Imagine how small your brain must be to downvote someone excited for future gaming joy?”

My dude your post history shits on EVERYTHING. You never have a good thing to say about anything lol! 🤣

PanicMechanic18h ago(Edited 18h ago)

“Getting ready for those GaaS reveals! Sony is a shadow of themselves this gen.”

You literally said this a couple of days ago. Start applying the clown make up, you hypocritical jester

derek1d 3h ago

Yep we'll see, they have alot releasing next year.

RaidenBlack1d ago

NGL, next year might be one of the best years in gaming ... starting off with RE9 and GTA VI ...
and then all the good games that's been cooking
Pragmata, Sands of Time, Saros, Gears E-Day, 007 First Light, Blood of Dawnwalker,
Mortal Shell II, Onimusha, Marvel1943: Rise of Hydra
current-gen only Infinity Ward's CoD, Duskbloods
+ My guess: Wolverine, Exodus, Mudang, Crimson Desert, Clockwork etc ...
~ seems like it might get too stacked

1Victor22h ago

@rokos:”Hopefully “
I downvoted you not for been hopeful but because I have seen the same “NEXT YEAR WILL BE SPECIAL “ comment for the last 10+ and hasn’t seen anything special from Microsoft.
I hope next year will be the one that everyone been waiting for since the last 3 years of the Xbox 360, it have to be after over $80 billions spent on acquisitions.

Lightning7721h ago

So the new excuse is they don't count because it's from the ABK now huh. I guess all those 3rd party games count even less because they don't own them. According to your always crappy logic.

InUrFoxHole13h ago

Lol. You haven't seen anything special? Do you even game?

OtterX1d 9h ago

Always with the "next year..."! 😂

neutralgamer19921d 7h ago

I don't know they have delivered this year and even last year. And they have a lot more content in the pipeline right now than anyone else. We can't just keep hating on MS

Indiana Jones
South of midnight
Avowed
Flight simulator
Hell Blade 2
Minecraft update
Gears of war reloaded
Indian Jones:expansion
Gears E day
Clockwork revolution
Fable
Doom the dark ages
The outer worlds 2
Grounded 2
Call of duty

OtterX1d 7h ago

How many of those titles were just buyouts of companies that were going about making their games anyways? *Throws cash - "Oh look what we made!"

dveio1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

This list, that's been posted again, and again, and again in every single topic like this, contains almost nothing, literally almost nothing from Microsoft's own creational thoughtprocess.

It's a bunch of former 3rd party IPs.

Now even slowly returning to Playstation in some cases like Indiana, Hellblade, probably Starfield soon too, after they were made exclusively to Xbox on purpose.

Due to Microsoft's lack for own IP material except Halo & Forza. Which, the lack of, was the sole reason for all of it to happen in the first place anyway. Please don't pretend it wasn't.

And just look at all the games that come from Obsidian alone.

You really think Obsidian wasn't already working on Avowed and South of Midnight even without Microsoft buying Zenimax?

Microsoft delivered nothing but cheques.

OtterX1d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

@dveio THIS. Lol, this dude thinks Call of Duty wouldn't exist without Microsoft! smh 😂

neutralgamer19921d 7h ago (Edited 1d 7h ago )

Common narrative I see often — that Microsoft shouldn’t get credit for the games its studios release because they “just bought them.” But this viewpoint ignores key context and sets a double standard that other platform holders aren’t held to

No one is saying these games wouldn't exist at all without Microsoft. But let’s not pretend that having a trillion-dollar company backing a studio doesn’t make a massive difference. Obsidian never had AAA funding before the Xbox acquisition. Pillars of Eternity was crowdfunded, and their resources were always stretched thin. Now they’re working on Avowed, with proper support behind it.

Ninja Theory’s Hellblade: Senua’s Sacrifice was made by around 20 people, using borrowed equipment and doing mocap in a boardroom. It was a passion project held together by tape and willpower. Today, Hellblade II exists because they were given resources, time, and freedom — something many developers don’t get unless they’re owned by a company that believes in their vision.

ZeniMax (Bethesda’s parent company) was in real financial trouble before the Microsoft acquisition. Reports and insider accounts have pointed out how much they needed a cash infusion. And while some people want to write off Xbox’s ownership of Bethesda titles, they forget the alternative could have meant layoffs or even closures.

The same goes for Activision Blizzard. Would you really prefer the company to stay under Bobby Kotick, after all the documented workplace misconduct and toxic leadership issues? Say what you want about Microsoft, but their acquisition brought accountability and change to a company that desperately needed it.

At the same time, Xbox gets hated on for doing what every major company does. Sony bought Housemarque, Bluepoint, Insomniac — but no one says Spider-Man 2 “doesn’t count” because of that. Why does Xbox get treated differently for acquiring struggling or undervalued developers and giving them a chance to thrive?

And the idea that Xbox locks games away is outdated. They're pushing cross-platform releases, cloud gaming, Game Pass, and backward compatibility more than any other platform holder. They're not forcing all studios into live service. If anything, their upcoming lineup is less GAAS-heavy and more focused on narrative and creativity — Avowed, South of Midnight, Clockwork Revolution, Fable, Perfect Dark, Towerborne, and others show real variety.

Whether people like it or not, Xbox is now the biggest publisher in the industry and owns the most gaming IPs. But what matters more is how they treat their studios. Most of these teams were previously stuck making AA games with limited scope — now they’re getting the tools and support to aim higher.

So when people say “Microsoft didn’t make those games,” they’re missing the point. It’s not about who started the studio — it’s about who enabled them to do their best work. You don’t have to love Xbox to admit they’ve helped a lot of developers and are taking a player-first approach.

Instead of writing off everything they do, maybe try recognizing the good they’re doing for both devs and gamers. At the end of the day, we should want more studios to succeed — no matter who owns them

BeHunted1d 6h ago

I'm surprised Clockwork Revolution (BioShock meets Dishonored) isn't getting more media attention. The game looks interesting and reminds me of the old RPG games.

anast1d 5h ago

The only good game on that list is Flight sim. The rest are either average or will be average. It's not a good look for MS.

TheEroica1d 5h ago

My god.... Look how many comments are upset about microsoft's successes... 😂 This may be my new favorite thread. Not one gamer saying thanks for all the goodness coming their way, just bitter anger and downvoting the very games they themselves will purchase throughout 2026.... Sony really worked you guys over this generation.... Condolences.

DivineHand1251d 4h ago

@neutralgamer1992 You said what needed to be said.

I have heard for years from older gamers that fanboys are the biggest issue with any fanbase. They will defend or gloss over negative news as long as the correct logo is on the box and they bash the competing platform no matter how much good they are trying to bring.

Right now their advocacy for PlayStation is elevating that platform so high that Sony no longer believes they need to do anything to satisfy their loyal fanbase like they did in the PS4 days.

I just hope most of them will eventually start advocating for themselves and encourage others to do the same. No one should blindly support one platform because these companies do not care about anything other than profit.

neutralgamer19921d 4h ago

Hunted

And first proper game done by the studio with proper AAA budget and saying it will be released when ready

Anast

I believe we went through this before that you are objectively wrong. Meta critic, user reviews, game sales. In Playstation top 10 best selling games were 5 from Microsoft studios

Otter

No this dude is saying so many other studios wouldn't be thriving without MS money and people would be getting abused physically and mentally with Bobby kotick and his side kicks

Also maybe look up how the original founder of Bethesda and zenimax was kicked out of his own company by his best friend lawyer. So that was always a shady place and had been struggling financially before MS paid a premium of almost 7 billion

Eroica

I use to be a die hard Playstation fan and now I only have a Pc. I see how these fans are so toxic. They just can't handle any positive news regarding Xbox. When the best selling games on playstation are Xbox titles. Look at Forza horizon being best seller and that's years old game by MS. I guess ms don't deserve credit for that success too since they are the only company in gaming making acquisitions

Forget the fact Sony paid 3.6 billion for bungie and MS 6.9 for zenimax. Which investment has turned out better

Destiny and marathon with a lot of controversy

While zenimax output is nothing short of amazing compared to what bungie has released

crazyCoconuts1d 4h ago

Yeah it's tricky. "Xbox" has morphed to mean different things to different people.
Console, now Windows, GamePass, and the cross platform games. There's a mix of attitudes towards all those things individually, and maybe an overarching attitude towards MS. But can't argue that the game companies MS recently bought continue to flourish, and GamePass PC has been a great value over the last year.

InUrFoxHole13h ago

@OtterX
You're the dude mad at your exes new guy. She's with someone else... get over it.

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Lightning771d 5h ago (Edited 1d 5h ago )

They've had good output so far. So waiting for those games shouldn't be a problem.

Who cares if they're buy outs of companies or whatever excuse you want to make. They're games that are being distributed to other console. Play the games and enjoy it instead of fanboying or complaining.

ocelot071d 7h ago

They going to be a he best and biggest publisher on Xbox, Playstation and PC next year. They not really said anything about Switch 2 though spite claiming to be big supporters.

quenomamen1d 6h ago

If you call making one last Xbox before going full Sega, as Great. Then yea.

TheEroica1d 5h ago

Doesn't feel like you're paying attention to what's happening.

RhinoGamer881d 6h ago

It will be, his net work will hit 50 million and he plans to buy a new mansion in Cape Cod. Thanks everyone! #failup

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80°

The Witcher 3 Immerse Gamepack — Product Introduction with Marcin Przybyłowicz

Join Marcin Przybyłowicz, Expert Composer at CD PROJEKT RED and the mind behind The Witcher 3: Wild Hunt OST, as he sets up Immerse Gamepack on PC and dives into Geralt's adventures like never before — with spatial audio powered by Embody.

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