Episode 110: Activision’s Board Must Fire Bobby Kotick (News Show)
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! You can watch the streamed VOD of this episode at Twitch.tv/VirtualEconomy and support our growth via our Ko-Fi and also purchase Virtual Economy merchandise! 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