Activision Blizzard's CEO is stepping down

The year 2023 will come to a close in dramatic fashion over at Activision Blizzard, as CEO Bobby Kotick steps down on December 29. The change kicks off a series of structural movements within the company over the next few months as the aftermath of Microsoft's acquisition of the company unfolds. A direct replacement for Kotick was not named, so Microsoft's game content and studio president, Matt Booty, will take the reigns.

Microsoft plans to maintain the existing leadership team at Activision Blizzard, with a few exceptions, which will hopefully keep the ship on course given Xbox's leadership underwent significant changes just two months ago. During the reshuffle, Sarah Bond was promoted to Xbox president, and Matt Booty was elevated to game content and studio president. With Kotick's departure, Booty will oversee Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and ZeniMax Studios.

In a memo acquired by The Verge, Booty revealed changes within ZeniMax and Bethesda. Jill Braff has been appointed as the new head of both studios and is responsible for leading game development teams. Braff, who previously worked on the integration team during ZeniMax and Bethesda's acquisition in 2021, is expected to play a crucial role in further empowering Bethesda's teams.

Bobby Kotick's departure, who has been the head of Activision and Activision Blizzard for decades, marks the end of an era. Activision Blizzard became the most prominent third-party publisher of games with iconic franchises like Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, and Candy Crush Saga under his leadership. His departure does not only change leadership but also kicks off a transition period for the gaming giant.

As Microsoft continues to integrate Activision Blizzard into its gaming business, fans eagerly await news on the inclusion of Activision Blizzard games in Xbox Game Pass. In a previous statement, Phil Spencer attributed delays in adding games to Game Pass to regulatory processes, assuring that announcements regarding game additions would come in 2024.

With these monumental changes, the gaming industry is witnessing a transformation, and players can expect an exciting lineup of games across Activision, Bethesda, Blizzard, King, and Xbox Game Studios in the coming years.