The North American company has evolved its relationship with the firm led by Bobby Kotick, involved in scandals related to abuse.
Microsoft has modified its business relationship with Activision Blizzard , the giant North American corporation that since last July has been immersed in legal litigation over numerous accusations of labor and sexual abuse. Xbox spoke on the matter last November, with its chief executive officer at the helm, Phil Spencer , who had no qualms in saying that he felt “disturbed and deeply concerned” by the accusations leveled at its CEO, Bobby Kotick. Now we know that they have made a determination .
“The work that we do specifically with a partner like Activision is something I’m obviously not going to talk about publicly. We have changed the way we do certain things with them, and they are aware of it “, underlines Spencer in a recent meeting with the New York Times , where he took the opportunity to confirm that Xbox Series X | S are breaking sales records for the brand in its first year of life.
While the details of these methodological changes in Xbox’s relationship with Activision have not been disclosed, Spencer did promise that they would “evaluate all aspects” of their relationship. It is possible, however, that this reformulation of its policies in some way affects possible exclusive content agreements, advertisements of its titles in public communications or promotions in its digital store. Soon we will know more details.
A summary of the whole Activision case: indictments, resignations and strikes
It all started with the complaint from the state of California (California Department of Fair Employment) last July, with the support of more than 2,000 employees critical of the directive. Shortly after we learned about the abandonment of J. Allen Brack, president of Blizzard and critical of what was happening. Bobby Kottick, assured that many people would “be held accountable ” for what happened. In September, we learned of the resignation of the head of Blizzard Entertainment’s legal department, in addition to two senior officers from Blizzard a day later.
A few weeks later, Kottick announced in October a salary reduction , but the new accusations of abuse, mistreatment and discrimination last November, added to the strike of more than 1,300 workers, strained a limit situation that was complemented by Xbox statements (Phil Spencer), PlayStation (Jim Ryan) and Nintendo of America (Doug Bowser), as critical of the situation as ESA, the body responsible for E3.