Last week, Activision Blizzard laid off about a third of the Raven Software QA team, although they had been previously promised promotions. It resulted in a walkout organized by workers, who want all layoffs to be reversed.

Activision Blizzard is now facing new financial pressure amid its ongoing harassment scandal. 6 treasurers from the states that own a stake in the company expressed their concerns, calling to vote against the reelection of the publisher’s board.

Activision Blizzard has faced criticism from another platform holder. Nintendo of America president Doug Bowser called the latest news in the harassment scandal distressing and claimed that Nintendo has already taken action.

Bobby Kotick has stated that he would consider stepping down from his role as Activision Blizzard’s CEO if he can’t quickly solve the ongoing workplace issues. The company stock, meanwhile, continues to decline in the wake of the latest events.

Activision Blizzard continues to demand Bobby Kotick’s resignation as more than 1300 workers have already signed a petition. Xbox head Phil Spencer, meanwhile, expressed his concerns over the latest events, saying that Microsoft is now reevaluating its relationship with the controversial company.

Sony Interactive Entertainment CEO Jim Ryan has slammed Activision Blizzard for not doing enough to properly address ongoing issues. The publisher’s leadership, on the other hand, still has a lot of faith in Bobby Kotick despite the latest accusations.

It’s been revealed that Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra have been asking management for equal contracts to co-lead Blizzard. Oneal, however, was offered one only after she informed the company about her resignation.

According to the latest investigation by The Wall Street Journal, Bobby Kotick has been covering up harassment at the workplace for years and even threatened to kill an employee once. Although Activision Blizzard’s board of directors took his side, the company stock fell to the lowest close in over a year.

Roblox reported revenue of $509.3 million for the third quarter, exceeding investors’ expectations. The next day, its shares rose by 42.2%, which helped it dethrone Activision Blizzard as the most valued US game company.

Jen Oneal has announced her decision to step down as Blizzard’s co-leader. It happened just three months after she embraced this role amid the harassment scandal. The studio will now be wholly led by former Xbox Live VP Mike Ybarra.

Bobby Kotick has written a letter to employees following a statement to make Activision Blizzard the most welcoming and inclusive company in the industry. He shared the upcoming changes, also asking the board to reduce his salary and apologizing for letting people down.

BlizzConline, which was planned for February 2022, has been officially paused for an undefined period of time. Although the company said that it wants to “reimagine” the event, it still will present new games in another format.

A judge has denied Activision Blizzard’s request to pause the DFEH lawsuit a few days after it was filed. The decision came in the wake of the growing tensions between California’s authorities and the EEOC.

Warzone.com, the developer of 2017 web-based strategy Warzone, has countersued Activision. Back in April 2021, the publisher filed a complaint with Los Angeles federal court seeking to dismiss the developer’s claims that Activision’s Call of Duty: Warzone infringes Warzone.com’s trademark rights. The developer’s recent filing with the US District Court for the Central District of California asks the court not to dismiss the case.

Since Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) sued Activision Blizzard for discrimination and harassment, the company has fired 20 employees and “reprimanded” another 20 to create “a more accountable workplace.”

Soon after California’s Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) objected to the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission’s (EEOC) planned settlement with Activision Blizzard, the EEOC filed its own opposition. This conflict will probably make the whole situation even more complicated.

Industry veteran Philippe Sauze, formerly Vice President / Head of Activision Blizzard EMEA, has joined MY.GAMES to lead the company’s European division.

CWA’s Campaign to Organize Digital Employees has issued a statement on the settlement Activision Blizzard made with the EEOC. The organization said that establishing an $18 million fund for the company like this is a “slap in the face for workers.”

Activision Blizzard has reached a settlement with the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC), which filed a lawsuit against the publisher over harassment and discrimination. The company will pay $18 million to make amends with employees who have experienced unequal treatment of any kind.