Microsoft promises to change toxic work culture at Activision Blizzard

The tech giant knows it is facing turmoil within its new acquisition.

[LWOGaming]

I would hope it is the first thing that they go about sorting although as Magog has said they don’t have the best history in this regard. It’s interesting that MS are seeing a pretty much negative backlash from the purchase overall. They will need to very carefully manage the situation as the deal proceeds. People in gaming rarely talk with their feet - meaning they rarely moan and stop buying what they are moaning about. If they did them companies would start to get the message but if they don’t then bad things keep happening. As the deal gets to its final stages and buying it will be interesting to see whether the backlash continues or if it quells at all.

[ChubbyBlade]

Magog is the dude still seething Jared ate his red crayon during nap time in preschool.

[VenomUK]

Talking about fixing the toxic work culture is very skilful PR because it depicts a Microsoft as ‘the good guys’ which is the narrative the media is focusing on, instead of the examining the anti-trust issues.

[bradfh]

The only reason toxic work culture happened is that losing millions of players across all of its games and FF14 took almost all WoW players. Just like a horde of zombies only takes one bite until everyone turns on everyone. That's why when I work I always keep it professional and friendly but never trust anyone.

[darkrider]

Sorry but after what they did to bungie.... Nobody believes that. They were their best studio by miles. But were force to do halo after halo... So they run away.

[Christopher]

What does forcing them to produce a single series have to do with creating a toxic work environment?

[darkrider]

Because they wanted to start another project and couldn't. They even were force to make a dlc into a full game like reach...

[Christopher]

So, they're going to force employees to be toxic? I don't get your logic. Two entirely different things. Even if they forced them to work on specific games, they wouldn't want a toxic work environment getting in the way of their progress.

[HardKnockKid24]

Oh no!!! McDonalds forces every employee to make the Big Mac according to recipe when they really want to make something else.
TOXIC ENVIRONMENT
lol people spare me. Devs move to other studios ALL THE TIME. And those that do well sometimes start their own. Nobody’s forced to do anything based on what you presented @darkrider

[AuraAbjure]

@darkrider You mean ODST. It was ODST that was supposed to be a DLC that got turned into a full game.

[gamer7804]

You realize it’s a different division now right? They are given more freedom. That said call of duty isn’t going to stop it makes too much money although they could change the cadence to help the devs

[AuraAbjure]

I think Bungie knew what they signed up for.

[sourOG]

It’s been hilarious to see people defending Bobby Kotick just because cod went Xbox. How quickly tunes change lmao

[Si-Fly]

I haven’t seen anybody defending Kotick.

[sourOG]

Anybody against the acquisition would rather Bobby remain CEO of activision. Because that’s what would have happened. So either directly or indirectly they support the “toxic culture” at activision. Like I said, everybody cares until it’s their ass lmao. “F** that development culture I want cod!” Lmao

[Crows90]

This guy is just lumping a bunch of people together based on his personal preference. He's so happy with the acqusition that hes got no problem insulting those that are not as happy as him.

Typical xbox fanboy. Not happy when someone else gets exclusives but perfectly happy when his preference buys out IP that were originally for all to enjoy.

[Christopher]

***Anybody against the acquisition would rather Bobby remain CEO of activision***

Most people against it have complained that Bobby will still be in power until 2023 is what I've seen. It's extremely few people who support Bobby because "sure, blame the CEO for things they can't control."

[sourOG]

The few who support Bobby were the few who mattered. If it wasn’t for the acquisition he would be the CEO for the foreseeable future so complaining that he’s there until 2023 is a dumb thing to complain about.

[Christopher]

I don't agree that it's dumb to have an opinion that Bobby is at fault because he let an environment of toxicity foment as long as he did and that they don't think he should be CEO anymore because of that failure. It's a better opinion than wanting him gone solely because they are selling the company to Microsoft.

[sourOG]

No, he’s terrible. That’s not what I’m saying is dumb. He should be gone but he wouldn’t be is the point. It’s dumb to indirectly support kotick because cod went Xbox.

It’s dumb because it’s not their choice. Bobby is still CEO until the regulators and share holders approve of the finalized deal. That’s going to take a year.

It’s kinda strange they announced it this early. Probably to head off the bad press and lawsuits. They wanted the “under new management” banner without actually being the manager yet.

[Christopher]

I think it's announced now so that the costs will be in this FY for Microsoft and not bleed over to the next. Meaning they budgeted for this buyout and know it will take at least a year to finalize, so accounting can book it this year to make budgeting the next easier.

[sourOG]

70 billion for activision. I have a hard time believing MS budgets anything lol.

That list of much cheaper companies were so much better than activision lol. This was a meathead flex. They are taking the top player off of the table. The cherry? Kotick gets thrown out on his ass.

[Crows90]

Wow that is a bunch of bull right there. Talk about spreading lies about a group of people just to demonize them.

Is your brain so limited that you can't see a situation where idk perhaps some don't want cod exclusive to one platform AND they don't want Bobby to remain.

If anything it stands to reason that he may only still be around because of this deal.

And most positively it's Xbox fans that will be quick to forget this workplace culture issue since it's joining team Xbox.

[sourOG]

I’m not demonizing anyone relax lol. Don’t push your guilty conscious off on me.

It doesn’t matter what you want, it matters what is.

There is no reasoning behind that at all.

They will forget because the culture is changing. You don’t want the culture to change because you don’t want cod on Xbox lol. That’s the entire point lol so no it’s not bullshit.

[Crows90]

Wow ...even more bull. You literally said that those not happy with the acquisition directly or indirectly support the workplace harassment situation.

I don't give a rats ass about CoD..not my type of game.

And I didnt claim to want anything in my post so your comment is even more dumb. Especially since CoD was always going to be on Xbox.

As I said...a load BS coming from you. Own your words and yeah you did demonize because deep down you must be happy about the workplace culture that probably allowed the purchase to begin with. Lol

[sourOG]

Is it demonic to indirectly support Bobby Kotick? No it’s just dumb.

Uh huh.

You said you didn’t want 2 things. I said it doesn’t matter what you want, it’s going to happen regardless.

Just because you got upset doesn’t mean im demonizing you. That’s a you issue. I own every word I say. Where did I retract my statement? My opinion hasn’t changed lol.

Deep down I wanted tencent to buy activision because they already lick chinas toes. I’ve already said that many times. And I’ve always felt this way, at least I’m consistent lol. I didn’t want Bobby’s head in a vice one day and then flip because cod went Xbox lol. Or Overwatch or whatever you play lol. If you support blizzard that’s even worse lol.

[Crows90]

You just keep on bringing that bull.
I dont play a single IP at this time from activision blizzard...not that it should matter at all.

You said, "Anybody against the acquisition would rather Bobby remain CEO of activision. Because that’s what would have happened. So either directly or indirectly they support the “toxic culture” at activision. Like I said, everybody cares until it’s their ass lmao. “F** that development culture I want cod!” Lmao"

Those are your words. And yes the harrassment culture and pretending that a bunch of people that dont like the acquisition are somehow in support of the culture is the definition of demonizing.

And btw what did I say that I want? what 2 things do I not want? Are you so busy with making up BS that you cant spend 2 sec to clarify those imaginary 2 things that you claim I want...you make no sense.

Im not upset. Over what would I be upset? You just demonized a bunch of people so yeah I called you out on that bull...dont get upset that I did.

[sourOG]

Keep saying it and it might come true (it won’t lol). If you don’t play activision games then I obviously wasn’t talking about you in the original post. Why respond?

Yes those are my words lol. Again, It’s not demonic, it’s just hilarious and dumb. It’s not malicious to indirectly support a shitty CEO. It’s selfish at worst.

How about you read your own f***ing post idiot lol. You don’t want the acquisition or Bobby as ceo. You said this specifically. It doesn’t matter what you want, fact. Bobby would still be CEO without the acquisition, fact. He will be ceo until it is finalized, fact.

I have no idea bro lol. I don’t know why you would be upset and pretend I demonized bunch of people. I don’t even know why you responded if me laughing at flip floppers didn’t apply to you. You called me bull over and over but called “me out”. You did no such thing lol. You just sound like you are in denial.

[jznrpg]

They really sent a message giving them 70 Billion , take that bad guys !

[BLow]

Lol. It's all for a show so now they will look like the superheroes coming in to save the day after they bought when the stock price was down. People will forget about what happened shortly if they really cared to begin with.

[MadLad]

They paid 70 billion for the talent and the IP. Not to give Kotick a payday.
This acquisition is the only move ever actually made to remove him from his position.

[sourOG]

It’s true. I was laughing at the “Bobby done it now!” Enthusiasm in the lawsuit articles. People were sure he was gone and hated on me for telling the the truth. Don’t get your hopes up, highly unlikely, etc. The fact is the board was never going to throw him out because he ignored emails and shitty behavior. He has made them too much money over 40 years.

This is some crazy 1% scenario shit lol. Someone buying activision is one of the few things that would have removed Kotick from the seat. And it happened, that’s wild.

And I’ll admit I was wrong about Kotick staying in power through all of this lawsuit shit lmao. I didn’t see this coming. Let’s just hope he doesn’t go to a different company we actually like.

[Crows90]

Close. They paid 70billion for 5he IP. Talent didn't have much to do with it.

Perhaps there is potential but both Activision and Blizzard games have been stagnant for a while.

[MadLad]

@crow

I wouldn't call CoD, Diablo, Overwatch and WoW stagnant.

Still, literally, some of the most relevant IPs in gaming.

[Knightofelemia]

I think Microsoft can do it in 2023 but it's not going to happen with a wave of a wand it will take time.

[esherwood]

Man they got there hands full having to run 30 something studios.

[anast]

The entertainment business will always be toxic. It is usually filled with flakes (not snow flakes) that are good at one thing and think their one singular talent gives them a reason to abuse others. Good luck removing this...