Washington Post Gaming | Why Microsoft wants to buy Activision Blizzard, roundtable ft. Jessica Gonzalez | Livestream @Launcher | Uploaded January 2022 | Updated October 2024, 1 day ago.
Welcome to "WaPo Story Mode", a recurring show on Thursdays at 4 p.m. ET where the Washington Post's video game coverage team, Launcher, brings on big-name guests to discuss the top gaming news of the week and provide a quick round-up of other top stories.
In this episode we're joined by Jessica Gonzalez, former employee of Activision Blizzard, and Washington Post tech reporter Gerrit de Vynck to discuss Microsoft's blockbuster acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We discuss everything from the implications of the purchase in the tech industry and gaming industry, as well as if competitors like Apple or Google will feel pressure to enter the gaming fray with their own big purchases.
Read our story on the deal here: washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/01/18/microsoft-activision-blizzard-acquisition
For more video game news, be sure to go to launcher.gg , or subscribe to our channel and check back in every Thursday at 4 p.m. ET for your gaming news update!
#Microsoft #GamePass #ActivisionBlizzard
0:00 Stream start
1:20 Welcome
3:35 Why $69 billion?
9:00 Activision Blizzard working environment
11:00 Unionizing at Activision Blizzard
12:25 Phil Spencer views on unionization
14:00 The impact of the news on organizing
15:49 Tech perspective of the purchase
19:36 Bobby Kotick’s response
22:59 Will Kotick leave?
25:50 Disconnect between workers/management
28:00 Activision Blizzard Esports
31:54 The broader vision
38:44 Does this set a precedent of monopoly?
43:10 Bargaining power for workers
46:15 Are more large purchases in store?
49:22 How other companies interface with gaming
53:06 Parting thoughts on purchase
57:19 Introducing lawyer Brandon Huffman
58:00 Bobby Kotick’s fate
1:01:22 Executive compensation
1:03:44 Summary of Kotick’s compensation
1:05:39 Termination for cause
1:09:31 Termination without cause/good reason
1:12:43 Payment benefits
1:14:57 High level of equity awards
1:18:00 How Bobby Kotick could exit
1:20:00 Change of control exit compensation
1:25:34 Proving dishonesty for termination
1:29:32 Final observations
1:34:40 Twitch DMCA news
1:38:00 - Signing off
Welcome to "WaPo Story Mode", a recurring show on Thursdays at 4 p.m. ET where the Washington Post's video game coverage team, Launcher, brings on big-name guests to discuss the top gaming news of the week and provide a quick round-up of other top stories.
In this episode we're joined by Jessica Gonzalez, former employee of Activision Blizzard, and Washington Post tech reporter Gerrit de Vynck to discuss Microsoft's blockbuster acquisition of Activision Blizzard. We discuss everything from the implications of the purchase in the tech industry and gaming industry, as well as if competitors like Apple or Google will feel pressure to enter the gaming fray with their own big purchases.
Read our story on the deal here: washingtonpost.com/video-games/2022/01/18/microsoft-activision-blizzard-acquisition
For more video game news, be sure to go to launcher.gg , or subscribe to our channel and check back in every Thursday at 4 p.m. ET for your gaming news update!
#Microsoft #GamePass #ActivisionBlizzard
0:00 Stream start
1:20 Welcome
3:35 Why $69 billion?
9:00 Activision Blizzard working environment
11:00 Unionizing at Activision Blizzard
12:25 Phil Spencer views on unionization
14:00 The impact of the news on organizing
15:49 Tech perspective of the purchase
19:36 Bobby Kotick’s response
22:59 Will Kotick leave?
25:50 Disconnect between workers/management
28:00 Activision Blizzard Esports
31:54 The broader vision
38:44 Does this set a precedent of monopoly?
43:10 Bargaining power for workers
46:15 Are more large purchases in store?
49:22 How other companies interface with gaming
53:06 Parting thoughts on purchase
57:19 Introducing lawyer Brandon Huffman
58:00 Bobby Kotick’s fate
1:01:22 Executive compensation
1:03:44 Summary of Kotick’s compensation
1:05:39 Termination for cause
1:09:31 Termination without cause/good reason
1:12:43 Payment benefits
1:14:57 High level of equity awards
1:18:00 How Bobby Kotick could exit
1:20:00 Change of control exit compensation
1:25:34 Proving dishonesty for termination
1:29:32 Final observations
1:34:40 Twitch DMCA news
1:38:00 - Signing off
