The video game world is a buzz right now with the announcement that Microsoft is in the process of purchasing Activision Blizzard. While details are still scarce about just how the takeover of the Call of Duty maker by Xbox will work, a recent email from Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has leaked that sheds a bit of light on his thinking as well as when the purchase process might be complete.
Activision Blizzard has been making headlines for months of another kind as the company has come under fire and several lawsuits centered on its workplace environment. In the wake of those lawsuits and continued complaints about the leadership at the company, Microsoft was one of the companies that had recently said it was going to examine its relationship with Activision Blizzard. It appears in examining that relationship, the company decided one approach was to buy the firm and change the leadership.
However, in the wake of the announcement the leaked memo from current Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick makes it clear he'll stay at the top for at least a little while longer. While Microsoft doesn't appear to be totally pleased with the Call of Duty developer's leadership, the company won't have a say in that regard until the purchase is completed.
The Twitter account Charlie Intel was among the first to post the leaked email where Kotick makes it clear that it could take as long as June of 2023 before everything is finalized. Kotick cited various regulatory issues that need to be dealt with before the whole thing can be completed. It doesn't appear even he knows exactly when everything will get done.
Kotick added that until the deal does go through and Microsoft officially takes over, he will continue to be at the top of the leadership chart for Activision Blizzard. In the email, he didn't make it clear if he knows or if it has been made clear just what will happen to his position once the purchase is officially complete. Microsoft has said that Xbox chief Phil Spencer will directly oversee its new acquisition.
Most recently, Activision Blizzard made headlines after it fired 37 employees and disciplined 44 others in what is being called a direct reaction to the lawsuits filed against the company about its work environment. It's unclear whether that move so close to the announcement of the takeover is related.