Now thatMicrosofthas announced its plans to acquire Activision Blizzard, there are quite a few questions about what it means for both companies. More than a few people in the gaming industry have voiced hope that it could mean the end of Bobby Kotick as CEO, but comments made byMicrosoftCEO Satya Nadella have been largely supportive of the embattled exec.
Microsoft announced on Tuesday morningthat it was going to be acquiring Activision Blizzard in what amounts to one of the biggest video game company acquisitions of at least the last decade. The takeover means that Xbox head Phil Spencer will have direct control over some of the most lucrative IPs on the market today including theCall of DutyandWarcraftfranchises. While that raised eyebrows, questions about just what would happen to Bobby Kotick once the deal was complete began swirling around social media as many people believe he’s part of the reason the workplace environment has been so toxic over the years.
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While there are plenty in the gaming community who believe thatKotick needs to be shown the dooronce the deal is complete, Kotaku reported that Nadella appeared to be optimistic about the Activision Blizzard CEO’s leadership on an investor call he took part in shortly after the business deal was announced.
Nadella started out by saying that Kotick had built his company into one of the most successful and influential entertainment companies in the world during the 30 years that he’s been in a leadership position. He then added that he was “grateful” for Kotick’s leadership at the company as well as a real “commitment for change.”
It’s a safe bet that there will be some in the gaming community that will take exception to Nadella claiming that Kotick has a commitment to changing the culture at Activision Blizzard as there have been calls forKotick to step down or be firedlong before news of this acquisition broke. At least some of those calls have come from the company’s shareholders.
Nadella’s comments are also interesting considering that they seem to have a different tone than that of Xbox chief Phil Spencer who expressed concern over what has beengoing on at Activision Blizzardjust a week ago. He said that the company would have to take some time and reevaluate the relationship between the two companies, and it would make sense that the evaluation would be ongoing and focusing on Kotick’s leadership as the details surrounding the acquisition are ongoing.
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