Activision’s Bobby Kotick to stay on as CEO until end of 2023 at Phil Spencer’s request

Since the dawn of time, we’ve been waiting on the decision about Microsoft’s proposed Activision Blizzard deal. Now that’s it’s all going ahead, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has shared an email to all Activision Blizzard King employees in which he confirms that Phil Spencer asked him to stay on as CEO and to aid in the transition until the end of 2023.

In a major piece of news for 2023, Microsoft has completed its $69 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We’re now being flooded with info on how these companies are handling things moving forward, including statements from Kotick and Spencer, shared to Activision Blizzard King employees and Microsoft employees respectively.

“Today marks a milestone in our company’s celebrated history. Combining with Microsoft will bring new resources and new opportunities to our extraordinary teams worldwide. It will also enable us to deliver more fun, more joy, and more connection to more players than ever before,” Kotick says.

He outlines the company’s history since 1991, before continuing to discuss what’s happening now the Microsoft deal has gone ahead. “I have long said that I am fully committed to helping with the transition. Phil has asked me to stay on as CEO of ABK, reporting to him, and we have agreed that I will do that through the end of 2023. We both look forward to working together on a smooth integration for our teams and players. Brian and I couldn’t be more excited for the next chapter for ABK. We now join one of the most successful global companies, poised for unprecedented opportunities to connect the world through our games. As a part of Microsoft, we will be even better, together.”

Spencer likewise comments on Kotick’s continued involvement in his email to Microsoft employees. “We couldn’t be more excited that Activision Blizzard employees are our colleagues, co-workers, and teammates. Bobby Kotick has agreed to remain in his role through the end of 2023, reporting directly to me, to ensure a smooth and seamless integration. We look forward to working together as a unified team and we will share more updates on our new organizational structure in the coming months.”

Kotick’s future with Activision has been the topic of discussion for quite some time — ever since Early last year, Spencer commented to say that Xbox’s changing relationship with Activision was not “virtue-shaming”. This comment came after Spencer had previously told staff that he was “evaluating” Microsoft’s relationship with Activision Blizzard following allegations of abuse. Meanwhile, earlier this year Kotick denied any “systemic issue with harassment” at Activision Blizzard and said that there was a “very aggressive labor movement working hard to try and destabilize the company.”