Image via Activision Blizzard

Days afterward the monumental announcement of Microsoft'due south acquisition of Activision Blizzard, CEO Bobby Kotick addressed company employees for a Thursday morn Zoom webinar "fireside chat." According to a transcript of the conversation provided to Gamepur, Kotick answered what he claimed were the nearly frequently asked questions submitted past employees. The Zoom call did not have a live conversation for employees, and simply Kotick and CPO Julie Hodges were on-screen; an anonymous Activision Blizzard employee noted to Gamepur a "pre-recorded" feel to the conversation.

While Kotick provided little new concrete information regarding the pending Microsoft deal, he attempted to respond to concerns current Activision Blizzard employees accept in the wake of the earth-shattering news. In answering "why Microsoft and why now," Kotick cited access to "more talent" and "more than technical resources" through the tech corporation, also challenge that Microsoft "had an admiration and respect" greater than any visitor Activision Blizzard had interacted with. Kotick cited increasing competition from companies, specifically citing Tencent, Apple tree, and Sony, which Kotick saw as justification for such resources.

Regarding the workplace transgressions and problems that have defined Activision Blizzard in the news over the by several months, Kotick described a "shared journey" between both companies in improving the workplace. In acknowledging concerns of task security, Kotick claimed that early discussions had him comforted that Microsoft "fully appreciated how important that was for [Activision Blizzard] to recognize and reward and retain all of [the company's] people," following up by saying that Microsoft has provided the visitor with the tools to "retain, advantage, and recognize equally many people as possible." Kotick did non specify or elaborate on the characterization of "reward" to employees.

Kotick savage short of making any promises regarding potential layoffs, which is often a upshot of corporate consolidation and mergers. Regarding his ain job as CEO, however, Kotick indicated that he wouldn't exist going away any fourth dimension soon. Without acknowledging the ongoing lawsuits and hitting employees, Kotick stated his commitment to "remain in his role once the bargain closes," for "as long as is necessary to ensure that we take a great integration and a great transition."

Otherwise, Kotick continued to glow nigh the metaverse as a "collection of communities," somewhen evolving to 1 of "franchise-based communities" in a shared virtual world. Kotick also reiterated the possibility of IPs such as Guitar Hero and Skylanders returning with the newfound manufacturing capability of Microsoft.

Throughout the chat, Kotick emphasized that the transaction was "incredible" for stakeholders — and "peculiarly employees" also. With the concluding word, Kotick attempted to assure employees that they are what fabricated the conquering possible: "Information technology is what Microsoft is most excited about, is our people."