Episode 110: Activision’s Board Must Fire Bobby Kotick (News Show)

Nov 22, 2021

Excellent reporting from the Wall Street Journal and others have further exposed Activision’s c-suite crisis, as Microsoft and Sony call Bobby Kotick to account. Also: Embracer Group, Paradox, and Thunderful earnings and a FAFO award!

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Content Warning from 51:01 through 01:19:39: During the Activision update, we discuss new reporting that deals with sexual assault.

TIME STAMPS

• [00:02:47] - Embracer Group Q2 2021 Earnings
• [00:10:44] - Paradox Earnings for Q3 2021
• [00:18:55] - Thunderful Group earnings for Q3 2021
• [00:21:36] - Investment Interlude
• [00:34:21] - Quick Hits
• [00:51:01] - Activision Update
• [01:19:39] - FAFO Award

SOURCES

• EMBRACER GROUP PUBLISHES INTERIM REPORT Q2 2021
• Paradox Interim report January - September 2021
• Thunderful Group Interim Report January – September 2021
• Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Knew for Years About Sexual-Misconduct Allegations at Videogame Giant | WSJ (Paywall)
• Activision Blizzard Board of Directors Issues Statement Regarding Recent Article
• Former Blizzard Co-Lead Jen Oneal Says She Was Offered Equal Contract Only After Resigning | IGN
• Shareholders call on Activision Blizzard Board to terminate CEO, replace Board Chair and Lead Independent Director
• PlayStation Chief Criticizes Activision’s Response to Crisis | Bloomberg (Paywall)
• Xbox Chief Says He’s Evaluating Relationship With Activision | Bloomberg (Paywall)
• Activision Blizzard doubles down on Kotick defense in all-hands meeting | Game Developer
• An Update On Girls Who Code’s Partnership with Activision Blizzard

INVESTMENT INTERLUDE

• Thunderful Acquires Mobile Developer Early Morning Studio
• Private Division Acquires Developer Roll7
• IndieBI raises $3M USD from games industry luminaries to bring modern business intelligence and sales optimization to PC, Console, and VR games
• In-game creation platform Overwolf raises $75M Series D led by Andreessen Horowitz | TechCrunch
• DreamCraft Closes $10 Million Series A Funding Led by March Gaming