Activision CEO Bobby Kotick must resign

In July, California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, saying the video game publisher had fostered a culture of “constant sexual harassment” and discrimination. This report was filled with detailed and horrifying personal claims of cruelty, mostly made by women staff members. It sparked months-long protests and threats to boycott the company. Bobby Kotick was Activision Blizzard’s CEO. He claimed that although he held the top position in the company, little or no information about the employees who described toxic conditions. Denial and insolence were his choices.

The Wall Street Journal has now reported that Kotick, at most, was withholding important information in his reply and at worst lying to shield himself from the backlash that already forced some of his colleagues out of senior positions within the company. Reports claim that Kotick was aware of the company’s toxic culture, but that he had detailed and graphic knowledge. Kotick’s heinous acts, which he is accused of committing not for the company, but himself, have been described as as as as troubling as they are numerous.

According to the report Kotick was aware that there were a variety of misconduct and harassment allegations against Activision Blizzard. These included allegations of sexual harassment, as well as rape. Numerous cases resulted in settlements outside of court. In the report, Kotick also has harassment claims and retaliation allegations. Both were handled similarly outside of court.

The problems at Activision Blizzard aren’t new. Nor have these problems shown signs of repair, despite Kotick’s insistence that the company has already made progress. Recent news about Jennifer Oneal’s promotion to cohead of Blizzard entertainment, which was the first female to achieve this role, and her recent resignation would indicate otherwise.

Activision Blizzard has seen its problems worsen rather than improve. U.S. In September, the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission filed an action against Activision Blizzard for sexual harassment and discrimination. And according to the Wall Street Journal report, since the separate California lawsuit in July, there have been “more than 500 reports from current and former employees alleging harassment, sexual assault, bullying, pay disparities and other issues, according to people familiar with the matter.” Activision is investigating the claims.

The responsibility for the horrors enumerated here — and the many others described in reports and lawsuits over the past months, years, and decades — falls squarely on the leadership of Activision Blizzard. Many people inside and outside Activision Blizzard knew for years that Bobby Kotick knew everything about sexual harassment allegations at his company. In at least one instance, he is alleged to have protected the victim.

Activision Blizzard is already on the defensive. The company issued a statement disputing the Wall Street Journal report as “misleading.” Polygon reached out to Activision Blizzard for additional comment on the accusations and was given a response matching the public statement on the company’s website. Activision Blizzard’s board of directors has issued a separate statement of support for Kotick, saying that “the Board remains confident in Bobby Kotick’s leadership, commitment and ability to achieve these goals.”

How can a company expect sympathy and trust when it has a long history of fraud? Activision Blizzard persists in mistaking a number of Band-Aids as a cure. It appears many of its employees are also guilty. A group of Activision Blizzard workersAs part of an employee strike on Tuesday, the group will demand Kotick’s resignation as CEO.

These are my thoughts. Activision Blizzard’s CEO Bobby Kotick is not the best choice if the Wall Street Journal claims are true. A wound doesn’t heal without first treating the infection.

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