Takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft: The workers' alliance reacts after the takeover

Game news Takeover of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft: The workers’ alliance reacts after the takeover

Published on 01/19/2022 at 08:06

It was the news of the year, just over two weeks after it began: Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard in a $68 billion deal, a deal unprecedented in the gaming world. A takeover that has loosened many tongues, especially that of the Activision Blizzard employees’ union.

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A purchase that “changes nothing”
Bobby Kotick still available, wishes are still pending

A purchase that “changes nothing”

Call of Duty, World of Warcraft, Spyro… What will happen to Activision Blizzard’s licenses once the agreement is signed? What about Bobby Kotick, the controversial CEO who has been the focus of many accusations in recent weeks? What future for third-party studios? After yesterday’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft, many questions have arisen and it has been quite normal ever since it’s easily the largest acquisition made in the video game industry

. Even to gobble up Linkedin, the Redmond-based company “only” released $25 billion. In short, the future is uncertain for many parties to this agreement… But not for all. That seems to say ABetterABC, a union of Activision Blizzard King workers formed in July. In the wake of allegations by the State of California regarding toxic culture (discrimination, sexism, sexual assault), the group was formed and has since acted with the goal of “best Activision Blizzard“. On Twitter, the collective took the floor and reacted to the acquisition of their company by Microsoft:

The news of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision comes as a surprise, but doesn’t change the goals of the ABK Workers’ Alliance. (1/6)

— ABetterABK 💙 ABK Workers Alliance (@ABetterABK) January 18, 2022

Through six tweets, ABetterABC states that it is surprised by this takeover, which does not “does not alter the union’s ambitions“. He points out that “Regardless of who controls the company financially, the collective will continue to seek to end video game abuse and will continue to fight to improve the working conditions of every employee“.

Bobby Kotick still available, wishes are still pending

If the Activision Blizzard acquisition was chronicled and shared by Phil Spencer on the official Xbox blog yesterday, the takeover has not yet taken place. Activision Blizzard President and CEO Bobby Kotick said in a statement yesterday that the Act

June 2023 expected. Another 18 months of waiting, during which many details will be clarified: it can still be denied by the courts as a violation of the antitrust law, which aims to prevent the coalition of large corporations that would block competition.

This is therefore eighteen months that Bobby Kotick, current CEO and CEO of ABK, will remain in office. Kotick, who is currently being challenged over his decisions and the allegations he faces (concealing abusive behavior, threatening employees and withholding information about the number of licenses issued), could still leave if the 2023 handshake is firm. It’s the Wall Street Journal that is pointing this out, despite the vagueness of yesterday’s statements. In the meantime he must do: acc ABK workers, the negotiations after the redundancies at Raven Software (Warzone) have still not started, while 3 of the 4 demands formulated by the collective to improve the situation of female employees have not been met.