Recently, Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said in an interview with GamesBeat that the postponement of Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 is the main reason for the decline in Activision's stock price. Even beyond the company's incidents of sexual harassment/sexism.
GamesBeat: "Did the sexual harassment investigation affect stock prices?"
Bobby Kotick: "I think the biggest impact on stock prices is Overwatch and Diablo [sequel postponement]. I think people are starting to recognize that this year's Call of Duty isn't doing well. So I think the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing documents and the foreign media article are just one of the reasons for this result. However, there are various reasons for the rise and fall of the stock market. I think our point is, $95 per share, all cash, which is really a good deal for our shareholders. It's a simple and independent judgment and a great deal. ”
Meanwhile, well-known journalist Jason Schreier questioned Kotick's claims as a sign of vanity, trying to shift the blame to the development team rather than Kotic's own leadership failing to reduce workplace problems.
He added: "The postponements of Overwatch and Diablo are partly due to the loss of Blizzard employees.... I don't know who is responsible for this! ”
Bobby Kotick's speech also caused outrage among players, some of whom believed that he was the face of the "bad CEO".