Activision Blizzard meeting starred James Corden

Call of Duty Publisher and Activision Blizzard have announced that they will be merging their companies in the coming days. Overwatch 2According to Windows Central, developer gathered all of its employees for an “all-hands” meeting… which was hosted by James Corden. The former James Corden is indeed the host of this all-hands meeting. The Late Late ShowHost known for terrifying Los Angeles motorists with musical tricks appeared along side Activision Blizzard Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick, to keep employees informed about the status of the company.

Why? Kotick seems to have a friendly relationship with Corden. The duo were filmed together at Fanatics CEO Michael Rubin’s infamous 2023 white party, as seen in a video montage of celebrities at the event — Kotick and Corden’s appearance flanked between the Kardashians, NBA athletes, and other big name celebrities and models. It’s possible Kotick thought his employees would be excited for a celebrity appearance at an all-hands meeting. Corden, however, is absolutely a bizarre pick: He doesn’t have the best reputation in Hollywood or elsewhere.

Corden reportedly asked Kotick how Activision Blizzard will keep its culture, which Kotick described as “magic.” (Activision Blizzard settled a U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed a lawsuit against the company in 2021, alleging sexual harassment and racism. A lawsuit between Activision Blizzard and California’s Civil Rights Department is ongoing.) Kotick said Microsoft is interested in the company’s “magic,” according to Windows Central.

“I think a lot [Activision’s] motivation is that we have these enormous communities of players of 400 million people in 190 countries around the world who are engaged every single day,” Kotick said. “I think people [at Activision]They feel a tremendous sense of obligation to provide for their players. And so I think that’s that recognition, and that appreciation, that the focus will be rewarded in the joy of hundreds of millions of people.”

Kotick and Corden also discussed the future of gaming — including machine learning, AI, virtual reality, and even Elon Musk’s Neuralink as a way to interact without a controller. Musk claimed that Neuralink, a brain-implant, could treat schizophrenia, paralysis and depression. The company is reportedly approved for its first human trials, but remains under investigation for “potential animal welfare violations.”

Windows Central reported that Kotick pointed out the fact that gaming will become more accessible in the future, thanks to technologies such as DLSS, which allow less powerful computers to display better visuals. “The accessibility that’s going to come from less and less expensive processing that will be more widely available, and inexpensively available, is going to just create more and more opportunities for the amazingly talented people that we have here,” Kotick said, according to Windows Central. DLSS stands for Deep Learning Super Sampling, which is a technology created by Nvidia that’s used to improve graphic rendering by using Nvidia’s algorithms to quickly deliver high-quality graphics without lowering frame rates.

Kotick also hinted at this elsewhere Guitar Hero could make a “re-emergence,” made possible with the resources that Microsoft has available.

“A big part of what I’ve seen in Microsoft is research,” Kotick said, per Windows Central. “And they do development in areas that are extraordinary. And so being able to tap into their AI and machine learning capability, the data analytics, new ways of thinking about graphics – I just see unlimited potential for what we do. We’re uniquely situated as a company because we have the very best franchises in all of video games.”

Guitar HeroIt was published in 2005 by RedOctane and created by Harmonix. Activision acquired RedOctane later. Harmonix has moved onto Rock BandMTV Games acquired the rights to the game, and Activision gained control. Guitar HeroThe game was hugely successful. Activision has published several follow ups. Guitar Hero Live There was no new legislation in 2015. There hasn’t been a new Guitar Hero In eight years, you can play the game.

Kotick seemingly didn’t discuss what role he could take in the company when the Microsoft deal is finally closed. Previously, the companies said Kotick will remain CEO until the end of Microsoft’s 2023 fiscal year. Kotick told The New York Times that he “will be available as needed” after the closing. A Wall Street Journal report from 2022 suggested Kotick will exit the company “once the deal closes,” when he should receive a $293 million severance package, according to financial documents that outlined the scenario of Kotick losing his job to a corporate takeover.

Polygon contacted Activision Blizzard for confirmation of details about the meeting. We’ll update this story when we hear back.