Activision Blizzard Fireside Chat with Bobby Kotick On Company's Future Under Microsoft

Blizzard Posted 2022/01/20 at 5:30 PM by Archimtiros

The Washington PostMicrosoft's $68.7 billion acquisitionMicrosoft to Retain EmployeesSEC information filingformerly acquired by Microsoft

The Washington Post

Kotick said during Thursday’s video call that “the transition is going to be smooth because committed to trying to retain as many of our people as possible.”

Following the video call, several Activision Blizzard employees told The Washington Post the comment made them suspicious of upcoming layoffs.

Will there be layoffs as a result of this transaction?

Microsoft has made it clear that they want to preserve and grow the value that Activision Blizzard brings, and that includes the talented team at Activision Blizzard.
We anticipate Microsoft's diversified operation will create meaningful opportunities for Activision Blizzard employees and will provide Activision Blizzard with access to additional world-class developer talent who will collaborate with you, our existing, incredible talent.

Activision's Forgotten Gamesin a separate interview

The Washington Post

Kotick said the deal came about because Microsoft deeply admired Activision Blizzard and wanted to get in on investing in the metaverse. He mused on the idea of the company helping to create another “Guitar Hero.”

“I was looking at the IP list, I mean, let’s go!” Spencer said. "‘King’s Quest,’ ‘Guitar Hero.’ ... I should know this but I think they got ‘HeXen.’”

Spencer said the Xbox team will talk with developers about working on a variety of franchises from the Activision Blizzard vaults.

“We’re hoping that we’ll be able to work with them when the deal closes to make sure we have resources to work on franchises that I love from my childhood and that the teams really want to get,” Spencer said. “I’m looking forward to these conversations. I really think it’s about adding resources and increasing capability.”
more potential crossoversKotick Clinging, Future Uncertainboth companies agreed Kotick would depart"post close I will be available as needed,"reporting to Phil is an easy thing to do

The Washington Post

Hodges asked Kotick if he would stay on as CEO after the deal closes. Kotick responded that the transaction’s completion would follow a lengthy process.

“This is a company that I’ve now been here for 31 years, and there is nothing more important to me, other than my children, than this company,” Kotick said. “I can tell you that my commitment to the company is remain in my role. Once the deal closes, what I’ve committed to Microsoft is I will stay as long as is necessary to ensure that we have a great integration and a great transition.”“our goal is to allow the content to reach as many players as possible,”

Comment by RaynuruKotick staying beyond the transition to Microsoft?
Loa no! That would not change anything.
That man is set for life with the money he has..remove the tumor and let the healing begin.
Yes it will take long, but a slow start is better than nothing.Comment by jackblues"there is nothing more important to me, other than my children, than this company"
Money maybe ?Comment by tarc“This is a company that I’ve now been here for 31 years, and there is nothing more important to me, other than my children, than this company. I can tell you that my commitment to the company is remain in my role.Comment by SouledkWhen you get a bus ride, you don't throw the driver out till the bus stops. Letting him go now could put the acquisition in jeopardy and they aren't going to do that.
He will be around till the acquisition is closed. That will give them time to find a new CEO/Head of Acti/Blizz under Microsoft and Bobby can go play with his boats.Comment by Unowhat...Microsoft wanted this deal so they could bring back Guitar Hero? And he's okay with Sony getting a slice of the pie when it comes games like CoD and stuff?

Phil Spencer is an absolute Pog-chad. He is literally changing the game industry in a single month.Comment by ArchimtirosKotick staying beyond the transition to Microsoft?
Loa no! That would not change anything.
That man is set for life with the money he has..remove the tumor and let the healing begin.
Yes it will take long, but a slow start is better than nothing.the companyComment by UnowhatIt's kinda sad that most people are more interested in trash-talking and being shocked about Bobby Kotick's stuff and not focused on the fact that Microsoft wants revive Guitar Hero and King's Quest and other games that Activision/Blizzard abandoned.Comment by daenerys37When you get a bus ride, you don't throw the driver out till the bus stops. Letting him go now could put the acquisition in jeopardy and they aren't going to do that.
He will be around till the acquisition is closed. That will give them time to find a new CEO/Head of Acti/Blizz under Microsoft and Bobby can go play with his boats.Comment by ArchimtirosWhen you get a bus ride, you don't throw the driver out till the bus stops. Letting him go now could put the acquisition in jeopardy and they aren't going to do that.
He will be around till the acquisition is closed. That will give them time to find a new CEO/Head of Acti/Blizz under Microsoft and Bobby can go play with his boats.isisComment by VerzoIf we get a Metal Arms sequel I will lose my mind with excitementComment by tarc...therefore he is the principle negotiator of the sale.Comment by GraysonCarlyleUnder Activision, many new product ideas and current work were scrapped because although they would be profitable, they would not be profitable enough. Microsoft doesn't have that same sense of urgency for short term profits, investing in things like AoE2:DE because a profitable venture and community goodwill is worth a lot more in the long term. So I'm hoping a lot of the passion projects that have been turned down at Blizzard in the last decade can become reality with a new management ethos. Bring on the Heroes updates!Comment by awarewolfIf there is never a straight answer, why do we bother interviewing them? I wish they’d focus on the product and we can vote with our wallets. All these clickbait free-advertising interviews are tiresome.Comment by Nymrohd"committed to trying to retain as many of our people as possible"

which means people will be fired. Which isn't weird or anything, it's an acquisition and there will be redundancies largely because people in several positions will actually be redundant when certain functions get overlapped. Still feels horrible for all the people who won't know until very late.Comment by SoifonIf there is never a straight answer, why do we bother interviewing them? I wish they’d focus on the product and we can vote with our wallets. All these clickbait free-advertising interviews are tiresome.Comment by deiXideMicrosoft should somehow refocus Kotick money to Roberta Williams, and have her come out of retirement to create a King's Quest MMO. Then I'd pay attention.Comment by Archimtiros...therefore he is the principle negotiator of the sale.$2.270 billion dollars in contractual feestriedveryComment by Archimtiros"committed to trying to retain as many of our people as possible"

which means people will be fired. Which isn't weird or anything, it's an acquisition and there will be redundancies largely because people in several positions will actually be redundant when certain functions get overlapped. Still feels horrible for all the people who won't know until very late.probably*probablysomeComment by Nymrohd"committed to trying to retain as many of our people as possible"

which means people will be fired. Which isn't weird or anything, it's an acquisition and there will be redundancies largely because people in several positions will actually be redundant when certain functions get overlapped. Still feels horrible for all the people who won't know until very late.probably*probablysomeComment by loudskiesAh how lovely, a cute cozy chat with a sex offender.