Activision CEO Bobby Kotick blames ‘outside forces’ for toxic culture accusations

Bobby Kotick, CEO of Activision, the gaming company, is in the midst of a $69 billion acquisition bid by Microsoft that has been facing antitrust concerns from federal regulators—as well as serious allegations against Activision’s culture under his leadership.

In his first comprehensive interview since 2012, “[Kotick] makes no apologies for Acti­vision or its culture. He says that the company is preparing to release a slew of data drawn from the EEOC investigation that he hopes will combat the perception that Activision was run as a ‘frat house.’”

Numerous allegations of sexual harassment, pay inequality, and gender discrimination prompted investigations from the SEC, EEOC, and California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH), as well as multiple lawsuits. After paying an $18 million settlement in the EEOC case, Activision “filed a counterclaim against the DFEH, accusing it of ethical lapses.” Around 1,000 Activision employees signed a petition calling for Kotick’s resignation after reports of his behavior became public.

The embattled CEO claims the incidence of harassment and assault was low relative to the company’s size, and that “outside forces,” including labor organizers, were “working hard to try and destabilize the company.”

Kotick said that as a member of SAG-AFTRA and the child of a teacher, he isn’t anti-union, but that he is against one that “doesn’t play by the rules.” He said he believes labor organizers are influencing investigators and the media to smear Activision’s reputation.—AK