Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick tells managers he’ll leave if issues aren’t fixed “with speed”

The fallout for Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick continues this week as gamers and the industry alike mount the backlash from rampant abuse.  Activision Blizzard has been subject to increasing criticism over a years-long pattern of abuse and silence. Employees have staged protests, with thousands already calling for the resignation of the embattled CEO.

The issues became much more hot thanks to a bombshell report from the Wall Street Journal, suggesting that Kotick had knowledge of many issues. The implications also painted Bobby Kotick as having protected some abusive employees.  Activision Blizzard’s board of directors has so far chosen to keep Kotick in place. The company already doubled down, saying that the C-suite was basically immune from a zero-tolerance policy that had been put in place in response to these issues.

A reversal has come out this week, as Chief Executive Bobby Kotick has told senior managers he would consider leaving the company. He said that he would step down if he can’t quickly fix these problems.

The future of the company remains uncertain, as much of the industry is running in the opposite direction. This latest statement comes as multiple partners, including PlayStation and Xbox executives, have announced plans to possibly end partnerships with the company. The outcome of these decisions hasn’t been announced. Also, it remains to be seen what “with speed” actually means.

Hundreds of employees have already pushed for Kotick’s resignation, and signed a petition demanding such. Some of those same employees also staged another walkout in protest.

Let’s be honest, there’s not a lot of hope that Kotick leaving. And frankly, the entire C-suite probably needs to go too. Having one figurehead change won’t mean much.

Source: https://www.iskmogul.com/activision-blizzard-ceo-bobby-kotick-tells-managers-hell-leave-if-issues-arent-fixed-with-speed/