Update 2: According to the Wall Street Journal, sources familiar with the deal say Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is set to leave after the deal closes. Despite contradictory statements saying that Kotick "will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard," the two companies agreed that Kotick will depart once Microsoft acquires Activision Blizzard.
Kotick did not specifically address whether he will stay or leave beyond ensuring "the very best integration," but with the deal still waiting to be finalized Microsoft and Activision Blizzard could be keeping the full details of their arrangement private for now.
Update 1: Since posting this story, IGN has learned that Kotick's future at Activision Blizzard is still officially unconfirmed. Due to the time between the deal's announcement and its expected close date in Microsoft's 2023 financial year, IGN understands that no firm decision has been made about Kotick's role at the company after that point.
IGN's original line of questioning – which you can see in the story below – centered specifically on Kotick's future after the completion of the deal, but it seems the response Microsoft sent in reply to that question was not a direct answer and was speaking more generally than that post-acquisition period we were inquiring about.
With a deal of this kind, many elements will remain in flux until closer to the confirmation, meaning elements can change over time. Equally, with Kotick's current contract set to expire in 2023 at the earliest, it may be that Microsoft is considering his position in the new organisation after that point – especially with Phil Spencer taking control of Activision Blizzard studios after the deal's completion.
Speaking during a Microsoft investor call today, Kotick did not specifically mention his part in the company, but explained that he and Phil Spencer "couldn’t be more excited for the incredibly exciting future we have ahead and together".
IGN apologizes for any confusion.
Original story: Microsoft has confirmed that controversial Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick will remain in his position after it acquires the company.
Microsoft announced its intention to buy Activision Blizzard for almost $70 billion, and made clear that Kotick would remain in his position until the deal was complete. IGN asked for comment on what the future of the scandal-hit executive would be after that deal:
"Bobby will lead Activision Blizzard as CEO, as he has for the last 30 years," replied a Microsoft spokesperson. "Together, Bobby and Phil will work together to ensure the transition to this exciting new combined enterprise. The Activision Blizzard business will report to Phil after the close."
The spokesperson did not add any details about Kotick's specific duties once Spencer steps in as CEO.
It's possible that Kotick's position at the company will be under review after his current contract expires. Last year, Kotick took a 50% pay cut as part of a contract that extends until a minimum of March 31, 2023 – the Microsoft spokesperson did not make reference to that contract, or if it would be extended.
That's a response not likely to please many Activision Blizzard employees and detractors, with Kotick sitting at the centre of a number of scandals in the last year. The CEO has been accused of ignoring a "frat boy culture" of sexual harassment and abuse, withholding information about abuses at the company, and was criticised for his initial responses to a major lawsuit regarding those allegations.
While never referring to those issues specifically in today's announcement, Head of Xbox Phil Spencer referred to Microsoft's commitment to inclusion "among both employees and players", and said that, "We’re looking forward to extending our culture of proactive inclusion to the great teams across Activision Blizzard."
In a separate Microsoft press release, a spokesperson said that Kotick would be "driving efforts to further strengthen the company’s culture" until the deal was closed.
Joe Skrebels is IGN's Executive Editor of News. Follow him on Twitter. Have a tip for us? Want to discuss a possible story? Please send an email to newstips@ign.com.
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