Activision Blizzard: Difference between revisions

| logo = [[File:Activision Blizzard logo.svg|frameless|class=skin-invert]]

| products = {{Unbulleted list|''[[Call of Duty]]'' series|''[[Crash Bandicoot]]'' series|''[[Guitar Hero]]'' series|''[[Skylanders]]'' series|''[[Spyro|Spyro the Dragon]]'' series|''[[Tony Hawk's (series)|Tony Hawk's]]'' series|''[[Diablo (series)|Diablo]]'' series|''[[Hearthstone (video game)|Hearthstone]]''|''[[Heroes of the Storm]]'' |''[[Overwatch]]'' series|''[[StarCraft]]'' series|''[[Warcraft]]'' series|''[[Candy Crush Saga]]''}}

| website = {{URL|https://www.activisionblizzard.com/|activisionblizzard.com}}

Founded in July 2008 through the merger of Activision, Inc. (the publicly traded parent company of Activision Publishing) and [[Vivendi Games]], the company owns and operates additional subsidiary studios, as part of Activision Publishing, including [[Treyarch]], [[Infinity Ward]], and [[High Moon Studios]].<ref name="ourcompany" /> Among major intellectual properties produced by Activision Blizzard are ''[[Call of Duty]]'', ''[[Crash Bandicoot]]'', ''[[Guitar Hero]]'', ''[[Tony Hawk'sSkylanders]]'', ''[[Spyro]],'', ''[[SkylandersTony Hawk's]]'', ''[[WorldDiablo of Warcraft(series)|Diablo]]'', ''[[StarCraftHearthstone]]'', ''[[DiabloHeroes (series)|Diabloof the Storm]]'', ''[[Hearthstone (video game)|HearthstoneOverwatch]]'', ''[[Heroes of the StormStarCraft]]'', ''[[OverwatchWorld (videoof game)|OverwatchWarcraft]]'', and ''[[Candy Crush Saga]]''. Under Blizzard Entertainment, it invested in [[esports]] initiatives around several of its games, most notably ''Overwatch'' and ''Call of Duty''. Activision Blizzard's titles have broken a number of release records.<ref name="next-genbiz">{{cite web |url=http://www.next-gen.biz/news/modern-warfare-3-breaks-black-ops-launch-record |title=MW3 Breaks Black Ops Launch Record |date=November 11, 2011 |access-date=November 11, 2011 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111112094950/http://www.next-gen.biz/news/modern-warfare-3-breaks-black-ops-launch-record |archive-date=November 12, 2011}}</ref><ref name="polygonselling">[http://www.polygon.com/2015/11/11/9715060/call-of-duty-black-ops-3-sales-advanced-warfare-ghosts Call of Duty: Black Ops 3 selling 'significantly' better than Advanced Warfare and Ghosts] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160408060504/http://www.polygon.com/2015/11/11/9715060/call-of-duty-black-ops-3-sales-advanced-warfare-ghosts |date=April 8, 2016}} By Samit Sarkar on November 11, 2015, at 5:30p @SamitSarkar</ref><ref name="techspotbest">{{cite web |url=http://www.techspot.com/news/63496-call-duty-black-ops-iii-best-selling-game.html |title='Call of Duty: Black Ops III' was the best-selling game of 2015 |last=Knight |first=Shawn |publisherwebsite=[[TechSpot]]www.techspot.com |date=January 15, 2016 |access-date=January 28, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160118054124/http://www.techspot.com/news/63496-call-duty-black-ops-iii-best-selling-game.html |archive-date=January 18, 2016}}</ref> {{as of|2018|March|}}, it was the largest game company in the Americas and Europe in terms of revenue and market capitalization.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/315575/Earnings_report_roundup_Game_industry_winners_and_losers_in_Q4_2017.php |title=Earnings report roundup: Game industry winners and losers in Q4 2017 |first=Jon |last=Jordan |website=www.gamasutra.com |date=March 16, 2018 |access-date=August 26, 2018 |archive-date=February 24, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200224082205/https://www.gamasutra.com/view/news/315575/Earnings_report_roundup_Game_industry_winners_and_losers_in_Q4_2017.php |url-status=live}}</ref>

The company has also been involved in multiple notable controversies, including allegations of infringed patents and unpaid royalties.<ref name="bfilessuitcountersuit" /><ref name=":0" /><ref name=":1" /> In late July 2021, [[California Department of Fair Employment and Housing v. Activision Blizzard|it was sued]] by the [[California Department of Fair Employment and Housing]] on allegations of sexual harassment and employee discrimination.<ref name="bloomberglaw DFEH">{{Cite web |url=https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/activision-blizzard-sued-by-california-over-frat-boy-culture |title=Activision Blizzard Sued Over 'Frat Boy' culture, Harassment |last=Allsup |first=Maeve |date=July 21, 2021 |website=Bloomberg Law |access-date=July 22, 2021 |archive-date=August 2, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210802155138/https://news.bloomberglaw.com/daily-labor-report/activision-blizzard-sued-by-california-over-frat-boy-culture |url-status=live}}</ref> The suit triggered an investigation by the [[U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission]],<ref name=":2">{{cite web |url=https://www.wsj.com/articles/sec-is-investigating-activision-blizzard-over-workplace-practices-disclosures-11632165080 |title=SEC Is Investigating Activision Blizzard Over Workplace Practices, Disclosures |first1=Kirsten |last1=Grind |first2=Sarah E. |last2=Needleman |date=September 20, 2021 |accessdate=September 20, 2021 |work=[[The Wall Street Journal]] |archive-date=September 20, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210920192056/https://www.wsj.com/articles/sec-is-investigating-activision-blizzard-over-workplace-practices-disclosures-11632165080 |url-status=live}}</ref> multiple [[Activision Blizzard worker organization|workplace walkouts]],<ref name="verge walkout">{{cite web |url=https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/27/22595922/activision-blizzard-employees-walk-out-sexual-harassment |title=Activision Blizzard employees to walk out following sexual harassment lawsuit |first1=Zoe |last1=Schiffer |first2=Andrew |last2=Webster |date=July 27, 2021 |accessdate=July 27, 2021 |work=[[The Verge]] |archive-date=July 28, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210728181733/https://www.theverge.com/2021/7/27/22595922/activision-blizzard-employees-walk-out-sexual-harassment |url-status=live}}</ref> the resignation or dismissal of several employees, the loss of multiple company event sponsors,<ref>{{Cite web |last=McWhertor |first=Michael |date=August 3, 2021 |title=Activision Blizzard loses T-Mobile as sponsor for Overwatch, Call of Duty esports leagues |url=https://www.polygon.com/22607861/activision-blizzard-t-mobile-overwatch-league-call-of-duty-cod-league-esports |access-date=November 19, 2021 |website=Polygon |language=en-US |archive-date=August 3, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210803184731/https://www.polygon.com/22607861/activision-blizzard-t-mobile-overwatch-league-call-of-duty-cod-league-esports |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |title=Amid harassment lawsuit, advertisers pull back from Blizzard's Overwatch League |language=en-US |newspaper=Washington Post |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/08/05/activision-blizzard-sponsors-overwatch/ |access-date=November 19, 2021 |issn=0190-8286 |archive-date=August 6, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20210806020827/https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/08/05/activision-blizzard-sponsors-overwatch/ |url-status=live}}</ref> and hundreds of workplace harassment allegations.<ref>{{Cite magazine |last=D'Anastasio |first=Cecilia |title=Activision Blizzard Employees Are Done With CEO Bobby Kotick |language=en-US |magazine=Wired |url=https://www.wired.com/story/activision-blizzard-employees-done-with-ceo-bobby-kotick/ |access-date=November 19, 2021 |issn=1059-1028 |archive-date=November 17, 2021 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20211117035047/https://www.wired.com/story/activision-blizzard-employees-done-with-ceo-bobby-kotick/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

Vivendi became the combined company's majority shareholder at 54% of outstanding shares, equating to 52% if shares were to be fully diluted.<ref name="merger pr" /><ref>{{cite web |title=Activision Blizzard Merger Official |first=Leigh |last=Alexander |url=http://kotaku.com/5023049/activision-blizzard-merger-official |publisher=[[Kotaku]] |date=July 8, 2008 |access-date=January 15, 2016 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160303165325/http://kotaku.com/5023049/activision-blizzard-merger-official |archive-date=March 3, 2016}}</ref> The rest of the shares were held by institutional and private investors, and were to be left open for trading on the [[NASDAQ]] stock market for a time under {{NASDAQ|the ticker symbol ATVID}}, and subsequently as {{NASDAQ|ATVI}} (Activision's stock ticker). At this point, Lévy replaced René Penisson as chairman of Activision Blizzard.<ref name="ukgamespotabrendan">{{cite web |last1=Thorsen |first1=Tor |last2=Sinclair |first2=Brendan |date=May 5, 2009 |title=Vivendi CEO Activision Blizzard's new chairman |url=http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/action/callofduty5/news.html?sid=6209171&mode=news |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120717071345/http://uk.gamespot.com/pc/action/callofduty5/news.html?sid=6209171&mode=news |archive-date=July 17, 2012 |access-date=August 27, 2009 |publisher=GameSpot}}</ref> The merger was completed on July 9.<ref name="merger pr">{{cite press release |url=https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vivendi-and-activision-complete-transaction-create-activision |title=Vivendi and Activision Complete Transaction to Create Activision Blizzard |date=July 10, 2009 |publisher=Activision Blizzard |access-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-date=October 30, 2023 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20231030141637/https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vivendi-and-activision-complete-transaction-create-activision |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://kotaku.com/5023808/activision-blizzard-merger-finalized |title=Activision Blizzard Merger Finalized |first=Leigh |last=Alexander |website=kotaku.com |date=July 10, 2008 |access-date=July 20, 2018 |archive-date=July 20, 2018 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20180720195139/https://kotaku.com/5023808/activision-blizzard-merger-finalized |url-status=live}}</ref> While Blizzard retained its autonomy and corporate leadership in the merger, other Vivendi Games divisions such as [[Sierra Entertainment|Sierra]] ceased operation.<ref name="mergersierranotso">{{cite web |url=http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/1677/blizzard-stay-autonomous-in-activision-merger-sierra-not-so-lucky |title=Blizzard stay autonomous in Activision merger, Sierra not so lucky - Strategy Informer |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080729072534/http://www.strategyinformer.com/news/1677/blizzard-stay-autonomous-in-activision-merger-sierra-not-so-lucky |archive-date=July 29, 2008}}</ref> With the merger, Kotick was quoted stating if a Sierra product did not meet Activision's requirements, they "won't likely be retained."<ref name="mergersierranotso" /> Some of these games ultimately were published by other studios, including ''[[Ghostbusters: The Video Game]]'', ''[[Brütal Legend]]'', ''[[The Chronicles of Riddick: Assault on Dark Athena]]'', and ''[[50 Cent: Blood on the Sand]]''.<ref>{{cite news |url=https://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/470753 |title=Gaming merger leaves Ghostbusters in limbo |publisher=[[Toronto Star]] |first=Marc |last=Saltzman |date=August 2, 2008 |access-date=February 13, 2009 |archive-date=September 7, 2008 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080907020813/http://www.thestar.com/entertainment/article/470753 |url-status=live}}</ref> However, a number of Sierra's games such as ''[[Crash Bandicoot]]'', ''[[Spyro]],'' and ''[[Prototype (video game)|Prototype]]'' were retained and are now published by Activision.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/6195113.html |title=Brutal Legend, Ghostbusters, more dropped by Activision |last=Sinclair |first=Brendan |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20090407033023/http://www.gamespot.com/news/6195113.html |archive-date=April 7, 2009}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/04/20/activision-blizzard-aims-to-breathe-new-life-into.aspx |title=Activision Blizzard Aims to Breathe New Life Into This Classic Franchise |first=Keith |last=Noonan |date=April 20, 2018 |access-date=March 2, 2019 |work=[[The Motley Fool]] |archive-date=March 6, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190306043625/https://www.fool.com/investing/2018/04/20/activision-blizzard-aims-to-breathe-new-life-into.aspx |url-status=live}}</ref>

Activision Blizzard released a new title, ''[[Destiny (video game)|Destiny]]'', on September 9, 2014. The game made over $500 million in retail sales on the first day of release, setting a record for the biggest first day launch of a new gaming franchise.<ref name="BKaforbesonff">{{cite news |title='Destiny' Crosses $500 Million On Day One, Biggest New Video Game Launch Ever |first=Erik |last=Kain |url=https://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2014/09/10/destiny-crosses-500-million-on-day-one-biggest-new-video-game-launch-ever/ |newspaper=[[Forbes]] |date=September 10, 2014 |access-date=August 29, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140910192609/http://www.forbes.com/sites/erikkain/2014/09/10/destiny-crosses-500-million-on-day-one-biggest-new-video-game-launch-ever/ |archive-date=September 10, 2014}}</ref> On November 5, 2013, the company released ''[[Call of Duty: Ghosts]]'', which was written by screenwriter [[Stephen Gaghan]].<ref>{{cite news |title=Challenge for Activision CEO: capitalizing on next-gen game consoles |first=Dawn |last=Chmielewski |url=httphttps://articleswww.latimes.com/2013/dec/10/entertainmentbusiness/la-et-ct-bobby-kotick-activision-ceo-20131210-story.html |newspaper=[[Los Angeles Times]] |date=December 10, 2013 |access-date=August 29, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20151024182236/http://articles.latimes.com/2013/dec/10/entertainment/la-et-ct-bobby-kotick-activision-ceo-20131210 |archive-date=October 24, 2015}}</ref> On its first release day the game sold $1 billion into retail.<ref name="BKaforbesonff" /> In 2014, Activision Blizzard was the fifth largest [[Lists of video game companies|gaming company]] by revenue worldwide,<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.newzoo.com/insights/the-top-25-public-companies-generated-54-1bn-game-revenues-in-2014-up-10-4-year-on-year/ |title=The Top 25 Public Companies Generated $54.1Bn Game Revenues in 2014, Up 10.4% Year-on-Year |publisher=NewZoo |date=April 20, 2015 |access-date=May 22, 2015 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20150522133829/http://www.newzoo.com/insights/the-top-25-public-companies-generated-54-1bn-game-revenues-in-2014-up-10-4-year-on-year/ |archive-date=May 22, 2015}}</ref> with total assets of US$14.746 billion and total equity estimated at US$7.513 billion.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ACTI/3305760073x0x746096/2205B72D-1007-4DCB-A5F1-2D121D8EC95C/Activision_Blizzard_2013_AR.1.pdf |title=Activision Blizzard - Annual Report 2013 |url-status=live |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20140714174237/http://files.shareholder.com/downloads/ACTI/3305760073x0x746096/2205B72D-1007-4DCB-A5F1-2D121D8EC95C/Activision_Blizzard_2013_AR.1.pdf |archive-date=July 14, 2014}}</ref>

Since 2009, when Kotick launched Call of Duty Endowment (CODE), over 50,000 veterans have been placed in high-quality jobs.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/call-of-duty-endowment-50000-milestone-1202980338/ |title=Call of Duty Endowment Finds Jobs For 50,000 Veterans |last=Fogel |first=Stefanie |date=October 15, 2018 |website=Variety |language=en |access-date=April 10, 2019 |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216071028/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/call-of-duty-endowment-50000-milestone-1202980338/ |url-status=live}}</ref> In 2013 CODE started the "Seal of Distinction" program, which recognizes non-profit organizations that are successful in placing veterans in good jobs. Winners receive a $30,000 grant to use in their veteran job placement activities.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Gutierrez |first1=Carlos M. Jr. |title=Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick on Inspiring Play, Competition, and CommunitCommunity |url=https://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ceo-bobby-kotick-on-inspiring-play-competition-and_us_58d8848ce4b06c3d3d3e6f46 |work=Huffington Post |access-date=January 20, 2019 |date=March 27, 2017 |archive-date=October 6, 2017 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20171006042351/http://www.huffingtonpost.com/entry/ceo-bobby-kotick-on-inspiring-play-competition-and_us_58d8848ce4b06c3d3d3e6f46 |url-status=live}}</ref> The goal of CODE is to help 100,000 US and UK veterans find high-quality jobs by 2024.<ref>{{cite web |last1=Fogel |first1=Stefanie |title=Call of Duty Endowment Finds Jobs For 50,000 Veterans |url=https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/call-of-duty-endowment-50000-milestone-1202980338/ |website=Variety.com |access-date=January 20, 2019 |date=October 15, 2018 |archive-date=February 16, 2019 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190216071028/https://variety.com/2018/gaming/news/call-of-duty-endowment-50000-milestone-1202980338/ |url-status=live}}</ref> The endowment helps soldiers transition to civilian careers after their military service by funding nonprofit organizations and raising awareness of the value veterans bring to the workplace.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Call of Duty Endowment and U.S. Army create Code Bowl esports event for armed forces |url=https://venturebeat.com/2019/12/05/call-of-duty-endowment-and-u-s-army-create-code-bowl-esports-event-for-armed-forces/ |date=December 5, 2019 |website=VentureBeat |language=en-US |access-date=May 27, 2020 |archive-date=May 31, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20200531073309/https://venturebeat.com/2019/12/05/call-of-duty-endowment-and-u-s-army-create-code-bowl-esports-event-for-armed-forces/ |url-status=live}}</ref>

In early 2010, Activision fired [[Vince Zampella]] and Jason West, two of the founders of its studio [[Infinity Ward]], on the basis of "breaches of contract and insubordination"; the move caused several other Infinity Ward staff to resign. Zampella and West created a new studio, [[Respawn Entertainment]], with help from [[Electronic Arts]]' partner program, hiring the majority of those that departed Infinity Ward in their wake.<ref>{{cite web |last=Kollar |first=Phil |url=http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/03/01/news-what-s-going-down-at-infinity-ward.aspx |title=UPDATE: Infinity Ward Vs. Activision |publisher=GameInformer |date=March 1, 2010 |access-date=May 21, 2010 |archive-date=May 8, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100508000150/http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/03/01/news-what-s-going-down-at-infinity-ward.aspx |url-status=livedead}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news-4556-Future-Modern-Warfare-Releases-Could-Be-Vetoed-By-West-and-Zampella.html |title=Future Modern Warfare Releases Could Be Vetoed By West and Zampella |work=Xbox360Achievements |date=March 4, 2010 |first=Richard |last=Walker |access-date=May 21, 2010 |archive-date=June 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604004445/http://www.xbox360achievements.org/news/news-4556-Future-Modern-Warfare-Releases-Could-Be-Vetoed-By-West-and-Zampella.html |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |title=Who Remains At Infinity Ward ? |url=http://www.cynicalsmirk.com/who_remains_at_infinity_ward.html |access-date=2022-01-23 |website=www.cynicalsmirk.com |archive-date=December 30, 2020 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20201230020509/http://www.cynicalsmirk.com/who_remains_at_infinity_ward.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

Zampella and West filed a lawsuit in April 2010 against Activision, claiming unpaid royalties on the studio's ''[[Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2]]''. Activision filed a countersuit against the two, accusing the pair of being "self-serving schemers".<ref name=":1">{{cite web |last=Reilly |first=Jim |url=http://ps3.ign.com/articles/108/1082893p1.html |title=Activision Countersues Former Infinity Ward Execs |publisher=IGN |date=April 9, 2010 |access-date=May 21, 2010 |archive-date=May 15, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100515184803/http://ps3.ign.com/articles/108/1082893p1.html |url-status=live}}</ref> Activision later sought to add [[Electronic Arts]] to their suit, discovering that Zampella and West had been in discussions with them while still working for Activision, and further added claims against Zampella and West that the two had not returned all material related to ''Call of Duty'' while they were working at Respawn. A separate lawsuit was filed against Activision in April 2010 by several current and former members of Infinity Ward on the same basis of lack of unpaid royalties.<ref>{{cite web |last=Ryckert |first=Dan |url=http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/04/27/new-iw-acti-lawsuit.aspx |title=Activision Sued By New "Infinity Ward Employee Group" |publisher=GameInformer |date=April 27, 2010 |access-date=May 21, 2010 |archive-date=June 4, 2010 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20100604083520/http://gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2010/04/27/new-iw-acti-lawsuit.aspx |url-status=livedead}}</ref>

===Uvalde school shooting lawsuit===

OnIn May 24, 2024, thefamilies secondaffected anniversary ofby the 2022 [[Uvalde school shooting]], somefiled ofa thelawsuit familiesagainst ofActivision Blizzard, alongside [[Meta Platforms|Meta]] and the victimsgun filedmanufacturer. aThe lawsuitsuit against Activision Blizzard allegingalleged that they promoted specific brands of guns to teens through ''[[Call of Duty]]''.<ref>{{Cite webnews |last=News |first=A. B. C. |title=Uvalde families sue makers of AR-15, 'Call of Duty,' Meta over mass shooting |url=https://abcnews.go.com/US/uvalde-families-sue-makers-ar-15-call-duty/story?id=110548748 |access-date=2024-05-25 |websitework=[[ABC News (United States)|ABC News]] |language=en}}</ref>

* {{Official website|https://www.activisionblizzard.com/}}