article thumbnail

Activision Fighting Unionization Efforts

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard is fighting unionization efforts, attempting to convince its employees to vote against an effort to unionize by its Q&A testers, according to Slack messages leaked from the company. Workers at Activision's Raven Software recently launched a plan to unionize. raven software activision union unionization quality assurance

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Launches Training Program

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based videogame publisher Activision Blizzard said late Monday that it has launched a new, 12-week long training program, which looks to train and development professionals for engineering roles. According to the company, the new program, Level Up U is aimed at both people within and outside the game industry, to prepare them for full time engineering roles at Activision and Blizzard. activision blizzard videogame training diversity employment jobs

Training 113
Insiders

Sign Up for our Newsletter

This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google Privacy Policy and Terms of Service apply.

Trending Sources

article thumbnail

Activision Sees Drop In Revenues

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision reported a 22 percent year-over-year decline in revenues, with net income down 36 percent. According to reports, the "precipitous drops" at its Activision and Blizzard divisions also came with declining engagement of the company's Call of Duty users. revenues videogame blizzard activision

article thumbnail

Activision Accused Of Spying On Workers

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard continues to face controversey, this time, with a charge that the company spied on workers during a July walkout. activision blizzard harassment lawsuit laborThe Communications Workers of America union (CWA) has filed an unfair labor practice charge against the firm, according to a report from Engadget.

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Clashes With Raven Software Union

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard looks to be in a clash with the newly organized union at the company's Raven Software arm, according to reports. Activision Blizzard announced a move to convert temporary and contract QA employees to full time there, but reportedly will not include workers at Raven Software as part of the effort. activision union blizzard raven software

article thumbnail

Report: Activision Blizzard Buying Game Studio Proletariat

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision is in the midst of acquiring Proletariat, the game studio behind the game Spellbreak, according to reports. spellbreak proletariat activision bilzzard merger acquisition videogameFinancial details of the deal were not announced, and the deal has not yet been formally announced. Proletariat is based in Boston.

article thumbnail

Activision Answers ‘Call’

L.A. Business Journal

After shutting down an existing esports league, Activision Blizzard Inc. is betting big on a new league that will begin its inaugural season Jan 24

article thumbnail

Microsoft To Acquire Activision Blizzard For $68.7B

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard is being acquired by Microsoft in a deal worth $68.7 per share in an all cash transaction to acquire Activision Blizzard. Activision's titles include Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Call of Duty, and Candy Crush. Bobbby Kotick will continue to serve as CEO of Activision Blizzard, reporting to Phil Spencer, CEO of Microsoft Gaming. activision blizzard microsoft merger acquisition videogame gaming

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Earnings Shatter Expectations

L.A. Business Journal

Santa Monica-based video game publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. collected more than $2.4 billion in revenue in the fourth quarter

article thumbnail

NINJIO Adds Activision Blizzard Exec To Board

socalTECH

Westlake Village-based NINJIO, a provider of cybersecurity awareness training services and content, says it has added Activision Blizzard executive Brett Wahlin to the company's board of directors. NINJIO said Wahlin is SVP and CISO for Activision Blizzard where he is responsible for all aspects of enterprise security, data and intellectual property protection. wahlin brett training awareness cybersecurity executive blizzard activision ninjio

article thumbnail

FTC Files Suit To Block Microsoft's Activision Blizzard Buy

socalTECH

The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) said on Thursday that it is looking to block the acquisition of Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard by Microsoft Corp., microsoft activision blizzard merger acquisition antitrustsaying the buy will "harm competition in high-performance gaming consoles and subscription services".

article thumbnail

Activision: Microsoft Deal Continues, But Will Be A Slow Process

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard released a letter it had sent to its employees today, where CEO Bobby Kotick said that the merger continues to be a "long process". Activision said it expects the deal to likely close in Microsoft's fisal year ending June of next year. international antitrust kotick bobby acquisition merger blizzard microsoft activision

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Plans Union Negotiations At Raven Software

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard says it pans to start negotiations with the Communications Workers of America, related to the 27 quality assurance employees at Raven Software. Activision Blizzard subsequently raised pay--it says "significantly increased starting pay for QA specialists" after the unionization vote, but excluded all Raven Software employees from that pay raise. activision blizzard raven software union unionize labor relations

article thumbnail

Growing Pains at Activision

L.A. Business Journal

Activision Blizzard announces better-than-expected third-quarter earnings and a loss of 3 million users

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Approve Transparency Efforts, But No Employee Seat

socalTECH

Shareholders at Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard approved a proposal by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to publicly report on efforts to stop workplace discrimination and harassment, but rejected a bid by employees for a seat on the board. activision blizzard sexual harassment discrimination lawsuit

article thumbnail

Activision Acquisition By Microsoft To Get UK Scrutiny

socalTECH

Any hopes of seeing a rapid acquisition of Santa Monica-based game publisher Activision by Microsoft may have gone out the door today. activision microsoft blizzard merger acquisition antitrust international delay inquiry investigationThe United Kingdom says that it is launching an investigation into the merger, saying that the merger "may be expected to result in a substantial lessening of competition within a market or markets in the United Kingdom".

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Employees Push Further Anti-Discrimination Efforts

socalTECH

A group of employees at Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard have formed a new committee to push for further anti-discrimination efforts at the company, according to the WaPo. discrimination harassment sexual legal lawsuit blizzard activisionAccording to the report, the group feels that "more action is needed" from the game publisher, blaming "inaction of leadership" at the company.

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Ordered To Pay $18M To Settle Discrimination Lawsuit

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based game publisher Activision Blizzard has been ordered to pay $18 million, to settle a federal lawsuit accusing the company of fostering a sexist and discriminatory workplace. The lawsuit is only one of several currently underway against Activision Blizzard. activision blizzard lawsuit legal sexual harassment discrimination

article thumbnail

Activision Brings on Sponsors

L.A. Business Journal

Santa Monica-based game publisher Activision Blizzard Inc. signed several high-profile sponsors for its new “Call of Duty” League, two weeks after launching the professional esports competition

article thumbnail

Activision-Blizzard Cuts Around 190, Says Report

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based videogame developer Activision-Blizzard has reportedly laid off around 190 employees, or 2 percent of its workforce, according to a report from Bloomberg. The cuts also include a large cut, of 50 employees, from Activision's esports division, according to that report. activision blizzard layoff jobs employment videogame gaming esports

article thumbnail

Activision Fires CFO

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision has fired its CFO, saying on December 31st that it has notified its current Chief Financial Officer, Spencer Neumann, that it intends to terminate his employment. According to Activision, the move is "unrelated to the Company's financial reporting or disclosure controls and procedures. " As a result of the firing, Activision said on Tuesday that it has named Dennis Durkin, its Chief Corporate Officer, as its principal financial officer.

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Approves Transparency Efforts, But No Employee Seat

socalTECH

Shareholders at Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard approved a proposal by New York State Comptroller Thomas DiNapoli to publicly report on efforts to stop workplace discrimination and harassment, but rejected a bid by employees for a seat on the board. lawsuit discrimination harassment sexual blizzard activision

article thumbnail

Activision Exceeds Earnings Expectations

L.A. Business Journal

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard Inc. reported third-quarter revenue of $1.2 billion

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Posts Strong Q1 Results

L.A. Business Journal

Activision Blizzard's share price shot up 4% in after-hours trading as the company reported $2.28 billion in first-quarter revenue

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard's Kotick: Zero Tolerance, $250M For Diversity

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard is on the defensive after facing a number of lawsuits and investigations of the company for discrimination and sexual harassment, saying in a letter to employees released by the company to the public that it will have zero tolerance for harassment reported to the firm. activision bilzzard bobby kotick tolerance diversity sexual harassment eeoc videogame culture

article thumbnail

Activision Rolls Out Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based game publisher Activision has rolled out the newest iteration of its Call of Duty series, saying this weekend that it has launched Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II. Activision last launched a Call of Duty title in 2019, when it launched Call of Duty: Modern Warfare. The title is available on PlayStation 5, PlayStation 4, Xbox Series X|S, Xbox One, PC, and Steam. callofduty modern warfare videogame publishing publisher

article thumbnail

Overwatch League Faces Fallout From Activision Blizzard's Harassment Issues

socalTECH

In further fallout from the controversy over claims of sexual harassment at Activision Blizzard, Coca-Cola and State Farm are reportedly "revisiting" their sponsorship of the Overwatch League and Call of Duty League, Activision Blizzard's e-sports leagues. overwatch league blizzard activision esports lawsuit discriminiataion

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Gets Patent Win

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard reported a win in court late Thursday, saying that the United States District Court, Central District of California has invalidated all patent claims asserted by McRO, Inc. McRO had sued Activision over the use of lip synchronization and facial expression technology in Call of Duty, Skylanders, and StarCraft II. activision blizzard patent lawsuit legal mcro planet blue callofduty synchronization uspto

article thumbnail

Report: Activision Blizzard Planning Massive Layoffs

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard is planning a set of massive layoffs, which may affect hundreds of people, according to a report on Friday. According to Bloomberg, Activision Blizzard is planning to lay off hundreds of people as it restructures to boost its profitability. Activision has not yet confirmed those plans, which were attributed to sources close to the company. activision blizzard layoff jobs employment gaming games videogame software

Layoffs 113
article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Names Entertainment Vet As CMO

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard has turned to a veteran of the entertainment industry to head up its marketing efforts, saying on Thursday that it has named David Messinger, a veteran of CAA, as Chief Marketing Officer (CMO). According to Activision Blizzard, Messinger also served at Ticketmaster, The Walt Disney Company, and Leo Burnett Worldwide. activision blizzard entertainment david messinger executive

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard Beats Earnings Outlook in Third Quarter

L.A. Business Journal

Activision Blizzard Inc. outperformed earnings projections in the third quarter, reporting $1.95 billion in net revenue

.Net 130
article thumbnail

Activision Brings Back Spyro In New Title

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based videogame publisher Activision is bring back a popular, retro character from the 1990's, its purple dragon, Spyro, through a new title, the gaming publisher said this morning. According to Activision, Spyro Reignited Trilogy will launch on the Nintendo Switch and PC via Steam, starting on September 3rd. Activision said the games feature the gameplay that fans will remember from the 90's, but with new, HD graphics. activision spyro nintendo videogame

article thumbnail

Lawsuit Takes a Toll on Activision’s Stock Price

L.A. Business Journal

Activision Blizzard Inc. reported solid earnings in the second quarter, but the gains failed to lift the stock price of the embattled Santa Monica-based gaming giant

article thumbnail

Activision Delays Modern Warfare, Warzone, Call Of Duty Seasons

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based Activision says it is delaying the seasons of Modern Warfare , Warzone , and Call of Duty: Mobile , explaining in a post on Twitter that "now is not the time", referencing the civil unrest currently gripping the United States. Activision--which also runs the e-sport Overwatch League--has been rapidly adjusting its plans this year due to world events, including modifying how it has run its e-sports events due to the pandemic, and now the civil unrest in the US.

article thumbnail

Call of Duty Nets $3 Billion for Activision Blizzard

L.A. Business Journal

Blockbuster video game franchise “Call of Duty” continues to deliver big returns for Santa Monica publisher Activision Blizzard Inc

.Net 130
article thumbnail

Report: How Activision Blizzard Is Dealing With The Pandemic

socalTECH

How is Santa Monica-based Activision Blizzard navigating the pandemic--and how is another local company, Heal , a part of those efforts? activision heal pandemic covid19 videogameA report , from VentureBeat, talks about how the videogame maker is navigating the pandemic, employees with COVID-19, and plans for reopening--and how CEO Bobby Kotick has been personally involved in the effort. READ MORE>>.

article thumbnail

Activision Blizzard To Slash Almost 800 Employees

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based game developer Activision Blizzard says it is slashing 8 percent of its staff, or nearly 800 employees, as a part of a restructuring effort at the company. Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick said that, although its financial results for 2018 "were the best in our history", the company "didn't reaize our full potential"--triggering the job cuts. activision blizzard layoff jobs employment gaming games videogame software

article thumbnail

Activision's Pitfall Returns

socalTECH

is back, thanks to a reboot by Activision , which released a new version of the game yesterday for the Apple iPhone, iPad, and iPod Touch. is "inspired by the original 1982 classic", Activision said. The new game comes out of Activision's Leeds, UK studio. activision pitfall atari 2600 game jump templerun temple videogame content mobile iphone ipadAre you old enough to remember the popular Pitfall! adventure came on the Atari 2600? Well, Pitfall!

article thumbnail

Activision Brings Back Crash Bandicoot

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based videogame publisher Activision has brought back Crash Bandicoot , its popular videogame character, in a new remake of the original three games for the PS4 and PS4 Pro. Crash Bandicoot was originally developed by LA-based Naughty Dog Entertainment, originally for Sony Computer Entertainment; Activision acquired the rights to Crash Bandicoot in 2008. Activision said the new version of the three games was done by its team at Vicarious Visions.

article thumbnail

RadPad Names Activision Vet As Marketing VP

socalTECH

Los Angeles-based apartment search startup RadPad > said today that it has hired on Activision veteran Mike Pelletier as its first Vice President of Marketing, the company said this morninng. Pelletier had previously been head of Activision's Call of Duty franchise, and also had been at Dell. He was last in charge of marketing Call of Duty Advanced Warfare at Activision. radpad activision rental marketplace payment startup callofduty executive marketing

article thumbnail

Vivendi Cuts Stake In Activision Blizzard

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based videogame publisher Activision Blizzard announced late Wednesday that Vivendi S.A. is planning to sell 41,499,689 shares of Activision Blizzard common stock, in a public offering. Those shares represent half of Vivendi''s stake in Activision Blizzard, and is worth around $866M. According to Activision Blizzard, the offering is being run by Barclays and Credit Suisse. activision vivendi blizzard sale finance stock merger acquisition

article thumbnail

Activision Sued By Former Dictator Manuel Noriega

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based videogame maker Activision has been sued by former Panama dictator Manual Noriega, over his depection in the game "Call of Duty: Black Ops II". Noriega is suing Activision Blizzard over what he says is using his name and likeness without his permission. activision manuel noriega lawsuit legal trademark videogame video

article thumbnail

Activision Says Call Of Duty Hauls In $3 Billion In 12 Months

socalTECH

Santa Monica-based game publisher Activision says its Call of Duty franchise has surpassed $3 billion in net bookings over the last 12 months. According to Activision, over 200 million people played Call of Duty this year, with November the biggest month ever for monthly players and hours played. callofduty activision earnings videogame content publishing