Bobby Kotick’s final day at Microsoft Gaming was reported as December 29, 2023, after Microsoft completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King. Kotick’s and Microsoft’s employee messages confirmed he would remain CEO through the end of 2023, but did not name December 29 specifically.
When did Bobby Kotick leave Activision Blizzard?
Contemporaneous reporting on December 20, 2023 identified Friday, December 29, as Kotick’s last day at Microsoft Gaming. Wowhead’s report supplied the specific calendar date.
The distinction matters: in their October 13 employee messages, Kotick and Microsoft described his departure window as “through the end of 2023,” without specifying December 29. Kotick’s message said: “Phil has asked me to stay on as CEO of ABK, reporting to him, and we have agreed that I will do that through the end of 2023.”
Why was Kotick staying through the end of 2023?
Microsoft had just completed its acquisition
Microsoft announced on October 13, 2023 that it had completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard and welcomed the company’s teams into Microsoft Gaming. In an employee message that day, Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer said Kotick had agreed to remain in his role through the end of 2023, reporting directly to Spencer, to help ensure a smooth integration. Spencer’s message describes that transition arrangement.
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Kotick’s continued service was therefore part of the post-acquisition transition. The year-end date in the official messages and the December 29 date in contemporaneous coverage are compatible: the former establishes the agreed period, while the latter reports the specific last day.
What organizational changes were reported at the time?
Wowhead’s December 20 coverage also described Activision, Blizzard, and King leaders moving under Matt Booty’s oversight and reporting structure as the businesses were integrated into Microsoft Gaming. That was the arrangement reported at the time; it should not be read as a statement about the organization today.
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The reporting described an oversight structure, not the appointment of a direct successor CEO to Kotick. Spencer’s employee email likewise addressed Kotick’s temporary reporting relationship during the transition, rather than naming a replacement.
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.Was December 29 stated in the official announcement?
No. Microsoft’s completion announcement and the employee messages from Spencer and Kotick confirmed the acquisition and Kotick’s plan to stay through year-end. The precise December 29 date comes from contemporaneous secondary reporting, not from the wording of those official messages.
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This is a historical account of the 2023 leadership transition, not a current CEO announcement.
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- MULTIPLAYER BUILT ON CONTROL — Engage in grounded, precise combat where fluid movement, player choice, and refined mechanics give you greater control in every firefight.
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