Navigating Activision Blizzard - From PlayStation Stings to Game Awards Things (VL588)

Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick is facing one of the most precarious times of his long reign at the video game publisher.

Now - the ESA has spoken, Microsoft shareholders have thoughts (as do at least a half dozen state treasurers), and even The Game Awards have been drawn into the fray. It's clear that Activision has cast a pall on the industry. The question is whether the industry is equipped to handle it.

What do PlayStation and The Game Awards have in common? Stings...in Virtual Legality.

CHECK OUT THE VIDEO AT: https://youtu.be/Rv1tlRYkVS0

#Activision #UnderFire #Updates

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CHAPTERS

00:00 Introduction
01:20 The ESA Speaks
04:37 Microsoft Shareholders Ask for Transparency
08:26 A Better ABK Loses A Leader
11:19 State Treasurers Pressure Activision
21:30 The Game Awards Navigates Controversy
30:49 Raven Layoffs and Walkout
42:35 PlayStation Executive Gets Stung
48:01 Conclusion

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Discussed in this episode:

"Activision Under Fire: A Legal View"
YouTube Playlist - Hoeg Law
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9PBxr5dNcoQLh2erIt2XrZ

"I’ve been asking the ESA for comment..."
Tweet - November 23, 2021 - Stephen Totilo
https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1463261970434506760

"Earlier today, shareholders voted for Microsoft to issue a public report..."
Twitter Thread - November 30, 2021 - Stephen Totilo
https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1465892826928103424

"Microsoft holds annual shareholders meeting"
Microsoft Webpage
https://news.microsoft.com/2021/11/30/microsoft-holds-annual-shareholders-meeting-5/

"My resignation from Blizzard..."
Jessica Gonzalez - November 30, 2021
https://twitter.com/BlizzJess/status/1465714592189849613

"Activision Blizzard walkout organizer resigns"
Axios - November 30, 2021
https://www.axios.com/activision-blizzard-walkout-organizer-resigns-c06e5145-a747-4cbf-b028-bd44329be19f.html

"6 state treasurers pressure Activision over misconduct allegations"
Axios - December 1, 2021
https://www.axios.com/state-treasurers-pressure-activision-over-misconduct-352fe2e6-64d4-4f30-ba7e-39e0e13419de.html

"What to expect at the 2021 Game Awards"
Washington Post - December 3, 2021
https://www.washingtonpost.com/video-games/2021/12/03/game-awards-announcements/

"Beyond its nominations, I can confirm..."
Tweet - December 4, 2021 - Geoff Keighley
https://twitter.com/geoffkeighley/status/1467007741214347264

"I am gutted right now."
Twitter Thread - December 3, 2021 - Austin O'Brien
https://twitter.com/eyyohbee/status/1466890788235878409

"Some workers at Call of Duty Warzone maker..."
Twitter Thread - December 6, 2021 - Stephen Totilo
https://twitter.com/stephentotilo/status/1467881509587755011

"Sony fires PlayStation exec who allegedly appeared in pedophile sting video"
CNET - December 6, 2021
https://www.cnet.com/tech/gaming/sony-fires-playstation-executive-that-allegedly-appeared-in-pedophile-sting-video/

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"Virtual Legality" is a continuing series discussing the law, video games, software, and everything digital, hosted by Richard Hoeg, of the Hoeg Law Business Law Firm (Hoeg Law).

CHECK OUT THE REST OF VIRTUAL LEGALITY HERE:
https://www.youtube.com/playlist?list=PL1zDCgJzZUy9YAU61GoW-00K0TJOGnPCo

DISCUSSION IS PROVIDED FOR INFORMATIONAL PURPOSES ONLY AND IS NOT TO BE CONSTRUED AS LEGAL ADVICE. INDIVIDUALS INTERESTED IN THE LEGAL TOPICS DISCUSSED IN THIS VIDEO SHOULD CONSULT WITH THEIR OWN COUNSEL.

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Twitter: @hoeglaw
Web: hoeglaw.com