Activision Blizzard CEO harms products and drives talent away, analyst says
Activision Blizzard King (ABK) is at the center of various lawsuits and scandals that revolve around discrimination, racism and sexual assault.
The giant publisher Activision Blizzard King (ABK) has been sued several times for sexual assault, discrimination and the like. At least since a more recent report on the CEO and head of the company Bobby Kotick, his resignation has been vehemently called for, including by shareholders. But the man doesn’t want to leave, or rather, according to his own statement, maybe only at some point if he can’t get the problems under control quickly enough. Now the senior test analyst Jessica Gonzalez is leaving the company and once again directs sharp criticism of the Activision Blizzard boss.
Activision Blizzard: Senior Test Analyst Leaves Calls for CEO Bobby Kotick to Resign
What is this about All hell has broken loose at Activision Blizzard. Various scandals and lawsuits have been shaking the publisher of Diablo, Overwatch and Call of Duty for months. There is supposed to be a sexist and generally toxic working atmosphere, sexual assault and discrimination seem to be almost the order of the day.
The CEO Bobby Kotick apparently knew about it for years, despite statements to the contrary, was probably even actively involved and apparently covered other accused instead of taking action against the conditions. You’ll find more about it here:
And here:
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Will the blizzard shock finally change anything?
What’s new now Activision Blizzard Walkouts senior test analyst and co-organizer Jessica Gonzalez is leaving. In one Twitter-Statement about her resignation, she explains her motives and addresses CEO Bobby Kotick with sharp criticism, whose resignation she demands again:
“Your inactivity and reluctance to take responsibility drive away great talent and products will suffer until you are removed from your CEO position. That may sound tough, but you have had years to fix the culture and see yourself to where the company currently stands. “
Jessica Gonzalez was also known as one of the key voices in the A Better ABK group. The workers are not only demanding the resignation of Bobby Kotick, but also a union and, due to the many problems, have already organized two larger walkouts within five months. These are protests in the form of small mini-strikes in which employees stop their work to demonstrate.
“I believe that with enough education and awareness, ABK can be a great place. There is still a lot of work to be done and I am mentally wounded from this fight. It’s been a long and exhausting journey, but it’s not over yet.”
Jessica Gonzalez is turning her back on not only Activision Blizzard King, but the entire game industry. You will be working in a senior quality engineering role for a financial tech company. Her last day at Activision was December 10th and she regretted that she was not able to meet her colleagues in more pleasant circumstances. She will continue her fight for workers’ rights, inclusion, diversity and equality.
What do you think of the allegations that Bobby Kotick distributes talent and harms the products?
Reference-www.gamepro.de
