The letter pledged the company would launch a new zero-tolerance, company-wide harassment policy, invest $250 million toward workplace programs geared toward expanding opportunities for more underrepresented talent, waive required arbitration of sexual harassment and discrimination claims, and increase visibility on pay equity, with Kotick’s annual salary reduced to $62,500.
Given the company’s goal to become the “most welcoming, inclusive company in [the gaming] industry,” as cited in its Q3 press release, it’s crucial that these steps be taken now, as all three of Activision Blizzard’s publishing units are facing increased competition. Its games seeing the lowest engagement since the release of Activision’s “Call of Duty: Warzone” in March 2020 thrust the segment forward in monthly players, Blizzard Entertainment’s flagship “World of Warcraft” MMO-RPG now has a well-funded competitor by way of Amazon Games’ “New World,” released in September 2021.
But Amazon still has a lot of time and money to flesh out “New World” as a flagship live-service title, while Blizzard for two highly anticipated titles amid the earnings call, a likely contributor the drop Activision Blizzard’s stock Tuesday.