Activision CEO Bobby Kotick shocked the gaming world last Friday as he announced his departure from Microsoft Gaming. Kotick, who has led Activision Blizzard to great success, including the creation of popular franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush Saga, will be leaving his post on December 29th, 2023.
To align Activision Blizzard with Microsoft Gaming, the organization will be undergoing some organizational changes. Thomas Tippl, Rob Kostich, Mike Ybarra, and Tjodolf Sommestad will now report to Matt Booty. This move aims to streamline operations and enhance collaboration within the gaming industry.
Despite the changes, the leadership teams for Activision Publishing, Blizzard, and King will remain intact, with no structural alterations. However, Brian Bulatao will take on the role of Chief Administrative Officer of Microsoft Gaming, reporting to Dave McCarthy. Additionally, Julie Hodges will serve as Chief People Officer of Gaming Human Resources, reporting to Cynthia Per-Lee, and Grant Dixton will assume the position of Chief Legal Officer of Gaming CELA and report to Linda Norman. Armin Zerza will continue his role as the Chief Financial Officer of Finance, reporting to Tim Stuart.
In other news, Lulu Meservey and Humam Sakhnini will be saying their goodbyes to Activision Blizzard at the end of January and December respectively. While sad to see them go, the changes in leadership are designed to bring clarity and accountability to the company, as well as foster inclusivity in the gaming industry.
Looking ahead, Microsoft Gaming has an exciting lineup of games planned for 2024. Players can expect highly anticipated releases across Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, King, and Xbox Game Studios. More details about these games will be shared with the player communities in the near future.
With the departure of Bobby Kotick from Microsoft Gaming, the gaming industry is entering a new phase of leadership. The changes aim to transform the sector, bringing about a new era of innovation and accomplishment. Gamers can look forward to a thrilling year ahead with a multitude of highly anticipated game releases.
