According to reports, Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision Blizzard would maintain its position even if Microsoft’s proposed acquisition is blocked by regulators or fails. Kotick’s fate at the gaming giant has been uncertain since takeover talks began, with some sources saying he will leave, while others said Microsoft intends to keep him. If these new reports are to be believed, Activision Blizzard wants to maintain the status quo if the deal is canceled.
Reports say Kotick will stay with Activision Blizzard if Microsoft deal fails
Fox Business reports that its sources said Kotick would stay with the company if the deal with Microsoft fell through. That’s not alarming since he’s been CEO of Activision since 1991 and oversaw the merger with Vivendi Games that formed Activision Blizzard. However, its fate was uncertain as it could be seen as a failure on its part if the $68.7 billion acquisition was stalled.
Kotick recently appeared on Fox Business to discuss potential opposition from regulators such as the US Federal Trade Commission, European Commission and the UK Competition and Markets Authority (CMA).
Fox Business sources said Activision Blizzard sees the CMA as the only potential obstacle to the deal with Microsoft, but is confident the two companies can convince the regulator that the merger won’t harm competition.
The CMA suggested that Activision Blizzard sell the Call of Duty brand due to concerns about the merger’s potential harm to competition and gamers. However, Kotick disagreed with regulators’ concerns about the franchise becoming exclusive to the Xbox ecosystem, stating that it was not a fair concern and that there was “nothing owner” in the Call of Duty concept.
Kotick went on to say that Sony has the resources to create a competitor if it wants. He also said that Sony has not been in contact with Activision Blizzard and has not returned their phone calls.