Blizzard Forms Workplace Responsibility Committee

Activision Blizzard: is it in full panic mode?

It only gets worse from here: Activision Blizzard, now with the knowledge that Bobby Kotick himself knew about the issues at his company and took no action (as well as being involved himself in some scandals), has formed a new Workplace Responsibility Committee to ostensibly eliminate harassment and discrimination in the workplace. The only two women on the Activision Blizzard Board of Directors are heading this committee. This should mean that something will be done, right?

The consensus answer? Probably not. Kotick has been at the helm of Activision Blizzard since 1991 and is himself on the Board of Directors. While Kotick’s track record was previously controversial in regards to increasing revenue and profit at the cost of game quality (thus angering gamers), the specter of fostering and protecting a culture of misogyny and harassment has taken over in recent times. The Board notably backed Kotick at first, but pressure has increased on the Board as Kotick is being besieged by gamers and investors alike.

The Bobby Kotick controversy may be a lose-lose situation for both Activision Blizzard and gamers alike.

The one wrench in the deal? Kotick’s contract. According to Axios’ Stephen Totilo (who served as the former editor-in-chief for Kotaku from 2012-2021), Kotick made $155 million in 2020. Despite asking for a pay cut from the board earlier this year, Kotick could get as much as $293 million if terminated. This leaves a very complicated situation for Activision Blizzard and begs the question: allow the company to take a $293 million hit in its financials, or continue to tarnish the brand as long as Kotick remains CEO?

Credit: Stephen Totilo, Axios

With Diablo IV and Overwatch 2 already delayed, there is definitely a crisis at Activision Blizzard. As of this writing, Kotick has not yet stepped down or been fired. In the near future, there may be more employee walkouts unless Kotick steps down or is fired. Even then, he will still walk away with as much as $293 million, leaving gamers to ask if there is anything resembling justice in the gaming industry.