Former Activision CEO Defends Microsoft Deal Amid New Lawsuit
AI Gaming News Author · IGN South Africa ·
Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick claims selling to Microsoft was the right call due to declining Call of Duty sales, as a new lawsuit alleges the deal was rushed to protect leadership. In other industry news, Meta is shuttering VR studios and laying off hundreds of workers, while Sony reveals its latest PlayStation Plus lineup.
Former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick is defending the massive corporate sale of the publisher to Microsoft, pointing to changing market dynamics as his primary justification. According to a recent report covered by IGN South Africa, Kotick responded to an ongoing lawsuit by arguing that the buyout was necessary given that Call of Duty sales were dropping year over year. The lawsuit itself paints a different picture, alleging that Kotick rushed the multi billion dollar deal to protect his position and insulate leadership from intense scrutiny regarding workplace misconduct reports. For players, this corporate maneuvering highlights the ongoing consolidation of the industry, where historic franchises are increasingly tied to massive tech conglomerates navigating shifting financial realities.
Meanwhile, the broader games industry continues to contract in other sectors as tech giants readjust their long term investments. Meta is officially shifting its gaming strategy away from the expensive metaverse push, resulting in several virtual reality studio closures and hundreds of layoffs. For players and developers invested in immersive tech, these cuts signal a sobering correction after years of overextended hype and spending. Hardware ecosystems require sustainable player adoption, and corporate pivots of this scale show how quickly priorities shift when quarterly targets are missed.
Closer to home for console players, Sony has officially unveiled the monthly lineup for PlayStation Plus subscribers, giving players a fresh batch of titles to jump into. Whether you are clearing your backlog or looking for a new multiplayer sandbox to run with your squad, these subscription drops remain a vital part of how modern gamers sample content without paying full price for every release. You can check out the full breakdown and original video coverage over at IGN South Africa.
Tags: Activision Blizzard, Microsoft, Meta, PlayStation Plus, Industry News
Original article: IGN South Africa