Minor Detail Could Pose Massive Repercussions for $68.7 Billion Microsoft-Activision Blizzard Deal

Microsoft is currently preparing to complete its acquisition of Call of Duty publisher Activision Blizzard. However, a fresh update reveals that the Xbox maker didn’t have any discussions with Activision CEO Bobby Kotick about whether he will stay at the company after the merger.

A newly added line, on Friday, to a filing by Activision Blizzard just revealed that as per the company’s claim, Microsoft and Bobby Kotick didn’t discuss his plans prior to the massive acquisition announcement. And they still haven’t done that, as spotted by Axios’ Stephen Totilo.

Will Bobby Kotick remain the CEO of Activision even after the merger with Microsoft?

As is already known, Xbox made an unexpected and gigantic announcement earlier this year in January about Microsoft acquiring the Call of Duty publisher. The deal, which is worth $68.7 billion, will grant the Windows company total control over everything at Activision. Not to mention titles like Overwatch, World of WarCraft, Diablo, and StarCraft, among many other IPs.

While the overall situation looks good for both parties, there have been questions arising about the future of CEO Bobby Kotick after the deal’s completion. Going by the Wall Street Journal‘s report, from January, close sources who were familiar with Kotick’s plans told the media outlet that they expected him to leave.

But now, a new update coming from the latest filing by Activision Blizzard, is telling a different story. Here’s the excerpt from the same:

“No discussions or negotiations regarding post-closing employment arrangements with Microsoft occurred between Microsoft and Mr Kotick prior to the approval and the execution of the merger agreement and the transactions contemplated thereby, or have occurred subsequent to such approval and execution, through the date hereof,” it was claimed.

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It simply implies that for now, there’s no clarity on the situation regarding the Activision CEO. Because there’s no certainty about his position in the company, following the acquisition.

As for the Xbox Game Studios, under Microsoft, it will probably gain an upper hand, over its rivals, once the deal closes. It already has solid properties like Halo, Forza Horizon, Minecraft, and Gears of War.

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After the addition of Activision, Phil Spencer will surely try to make the catalog even bigger with the new arrivals. Without a doubt, most of his focus will remain on redefining the Call of Duty brand.