Microsoft reveals additional shifts in Xbox leadership following the departure of Activision’s Bobby Kotick

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is set to officially step down on December 29th. Microsoft, which recently acquired Activision Blizzard, has not designated a direct successor for Kotick. Instead, the company has integrated the suite of Activision Blizzard executives, including Blizzard president Mike Ybarra, Activision publishing president Rob Kostich, and Activision Blizzard vice chair Thomas Tippl, under the leadership of Microsoft’s game content and studios president, Matt Booty.

This development comes just two months after Microsoft’s significant Xbox leadership changes, with Sarah Bond being promoted to Xbox president and Matt Booty taking on the role of president of game content and studios, overseeing Bethesda and ZeniMax studios. With Kotick’s departure, Booty’s responsibilities now extend to include Bethesda, Activision Blizzard, and Xbox Game Studios.

While Microsoft is largely retaining the existing leadership team at Activision Blizzard, there are some exceptions at the executive level. Activision Blizzard chief communications officer Lulu Meservey is set to leave the company at the end of January, and Humam Sakhnini, vice chairman of Blizzard and King, will depart at the end of December. Several other Activision Blizzard executives are expected to leave in March.

Executives from Activision Blizzard, including Brian Bulatao (chief administrative officer), Julie Hodges (chief people officer), Armin Zerza (chief financial officer), and Grant Dixton (chief legal officer), are now reporting to their Microsoft Gaming counterparts. Thomas Tippl, vice chairman at Activision Blizzard, is currently reporting to Matt Booty but is also expected to leave Microsoft in March alongside other Activision Blizzard executives. According to an internal memo obtained by The Verge, these executives will assist in the transition until March 2024.

In addition to the leadership changes, a memo from Matt Booty outlined some key developments at ZeniMax and Bethesda. Jill Braff has been named the new head of these studios. Braff previously worked on the integration team when ZeniMax and Bethesda joined Xbox in 2021 and will now lead the development teams at these studios.

The integration of Activision Blizzard into Microsoft Gaming continues, and Matt Booty is assuming more responsibilities than before. Xbox fans are eagerly awaiting details from Microsoft regarding the addition of Activision Blizzard games to Xbox Game Pass. Phil Spencer, Xbox chief, mentioned in an internal memo that due to the lengthy regulatory process, Activision Blizzard games won’t be available on Game Pass until 2024. Activision Blizzard also confirmed on X (formerly Twitter) that Modern Warfare III and Diablo IV won’t be added to Xbox Game Pass this year.