Among all the press releases and statements which followed the announcement of Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard, one looming question remains – what is Bobby Kotick’s fate?

That question isn’t as easy to answer as you might think despite Kotick’s behaviour at the firm over his tenure.

At most we have Microsoft Gaming chief executive officer, Phil Spencer, stating that “the Activision Blizzard business will report to me as CEO”.

However, in an email sent out Activision Blizzard employees, Kotick states, “I will continue as our CEO with the same passion and enthusiasm I had when I began this amazing journey in 1991”. You can read that letter in full here.

We do find it concerning that the ongoing lawsuits and allegations leveled against the likes of Kotick were glossed over if they were mentioned at all.

Perhaps more concerning is that with everything that is going on, Activision Blizzard was able to sell its business for $68.7 billion. We understand the publisher has big name titles but even a Maserati decreases in price if you prang it.

With all of this having been said, regulators could still upend Microsoft’s plans. The deal is only expected to be finalised in 2023, so we’ll have to see what lawmakers have to say about this.

And make no mistake, we suspect lawmakers will have something to say.