Today Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer shared in an internal memo the plans for the joint leadership of Xbox and Activision Blizzard.
The memo, posted by The Verge and indirectly confirmed by Lulu Cheng Meservey, mentions that Kotick will leave the organization on December 29 following the $68.7 billion acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft.
Most of the existing leadership is staying in place but will report to Microsoft President of Game Content and Studios Matt Booty.
These include Thomas Tippl (Vice Chairman, Activision Blizzard), Rob Kostich (President, Activision Publishing), Mike Ybarra (President, Blizzard Entertainment) and Tjodolf Sommestad (President, King).
Activision Chief Administrative Officer Brian Bulatao, Chief People Officer Julie Hodges, Chief Legal Officer Grant Dixton, and Chief Financial Officer Armin Zerza will report to their counterparts at Xbox, at least until March 2024.
Chief Communications Officer Lulu Cheng Meservey will leave at the end of January, while Blizzard and King vice chairman Humam Sakhnini will depart at the end of December.
Spencer mentions that for most Activision Blizzard employees day-to-day work will remain the same with the goal of “bringing more groundbreaking experiences to more players around the world.”
On the other hand, he adds that the changes to leadership “will provide the clarity and accountability that is necessary to achieve our ambitious goals and foster a culture that is welcoming, empowering, and committed to Gaming for Everyone.”
This follows more leadership changes at Xbox that saw Matt Booty and Sarah Bond promoted to Microsoft President of Game Content and Studios and President of Xbox respectively.
It’s worth reminding that while the acquisition has been consummated, it’s still being investigated by the FTC, which is going forward with its administrative law proceeding.
If the regulator manages to prevail, they could seek a divestiture, effectively undoing the acquisition, albeit it certainly seems to be a very challenging goal to achieve.
