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Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard King (Activision Blizzard King) is final, and the outgoing Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick today (21st) delivered a resignation speech after 32 years in office, and an internal memo from Microsoft Games CEO and Xbox head Phil Spencer revealed more changes between Activision Blizzard and Bethesda's leadership team.
Bobby Kotick says that his love for the game originated in the 1980 text-based adventure game Mystery House, which features a rich and expansive world, a variety of interactive and dynamic objects, endless challenge, connection, and fun, and fulfillment of players' desires.
Forty years later, as I get closer to my last day with the company, I am amazed by what our talented employees have accomplished, and it has been a lifetime of privilege to work alongside you as you transform a hobby form of entertainment into one of the most engaging mediums in the world. 」
Bobby Kotick said that the most important thing in his job is to help bring great people together and foster a great creative environment, and that Microsoft's acquisition has made Activision Blizzard one of the most envied companies in the world, and he appreciates Phil Spencer's vision and values, and that this acquisition will give both companies a continued edge in the fiercely competitive gaming world.
As we enter the next exciting chapter, you will be in a better position than ever. （you could not be in better hands）。Bobby Kotick's implication is that selling to Microsoft is his last hand before leaving the company, and even without his leadership, Activision Blizzard has a bright future.
Bobby Kotick bought the nearly bankrupt Mediagenic with partner Brian Kelly at the end of 1990, completely reorganized the company and renamed it Activision, and became CEO in 1991, leading the acquisition of Blizzard, Sierra, King and other companies under his leadership, leading Activision to grow and grow, but his business decisions and statements caused a lot of controversy, and at the same time was criticized for conniving at the sexual harassment and discriminatory culture within Activision Blizzard.
When Activision Blizzard ended three decades of leadership at Bobby Kotick, Microsoft did not directly appoint a replacement, but placed Activision Blizzard under the Microsoft Game Content and Studios umbrella.
Shortly after the regulatory approval to acquire Activision Blizzard in October, there was a major change in Microsoft's Xbox leadership, with Matt Booty as president of Microsoft's game content and studios, Sarah Bond promoted to president of Xbox and overseeing all Xbox hardware and software businesses, and marketing chief executive Chris Capossela leaving.
Matt Booty will now be reported to Jammie Leder, president and CEO of Zenimax (Bethesda's parent company), and will also be responsible for managing Activision Blizzard.
Technology** The Verge reported citing an internal memo from Microsoft Games, boss Phil Spencer announced more personnel changes, a large number of current Activision Blizzard executives will be leaving, and the team will be led by the remaining department heads to complete the transition through March 2024, For most people, your day-to-day work will remain the same. 」
Activision Blizzard's executive vice president and chief communications officer Lulu Meservey, Blizzard and King Vice Chairman Hum Sakhnini will leave at the end of December, and some of Activision Blizzard's senior executives, including Activision Blizzard's vice president Thomas Tippl, will also leave in March next year.
In the future, Activision Blizzard's Chief Administrative Officer Brian Bulatao, Chief Human Resources Julie Hodges, Chief Financial Officer Armin Zerza, and Legal Director Grant Dixton will all report to their counterparts in Microsoft's gaming division.
In the memo, Matt Booty, president of Microsoft's game content and studios, mentioned the new head of Zenimax and Bethesda, with Jill Braff, a veteran of Microsoft Xbox mobile and casual games, and Jamie Leder remaining as CEO of Zenimax Bethesda, reporting directly to Matt Booty.
When Zenimax and Bethesda joined Xbox in 2021, Braff was responsible for the integration team, and in the future he will lead the development team, reporting to Todd Howard, Todd Vaughn, Matt Firor, Paul Jensen, and Heather Cooper.