In the summer of 2021, Activision-Blizzard made headlines when the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a civil rights and equal pay lawsuit against the company on behalf of its victimized employees. The ensuing weeks saw a flow of leaked memos, terrible decisions, toppled executives, and crafty apologies that alternately denied, skirted, deflected, and atoned for the allegations. Dozens of employees have since come forward publicly and courageously as victims and witnesses to implicate the very leaders seeking absolution, and players once again had to consider a boycott just as Blizzard’s games, finances, and pipeline were already under fire.
We’ve rounded up our complete coverage of the incident and ensuing response from the community, including news articles and our own opinion pieces on the subject.
July 21, 2021: California sues Activision-Blizzard over discrimination and sexist, toxic work culture
July 22, 2021: ‘We do not serve Activision Blizzard’: Furious WoW players stage protest against Blizzard
July 23, 2021: J Allen Brack addresses Blizzard staff over sexism scandal, Activision doubles down on deflection
July 23, 2021: WoW Factor: No king rules forever
July 24, 2021: Mike Morhaime to female Blizzard workers: ‘I am extremely sorry that I failed you’
July 25, 2021: Chris Metzen offers apology for Blizzard’s culture of ‘harassment, inequality, and indifference’
July 25, 2021: MMO Week in Review: RIP to the Blizzard you thought you knew
July 26, 2021: Blizzard’s sexism scandal continues, 2500 devs sign letter condemning Acti-Blizz response
July 27, 2021: Casually Classic: Making the call to quit WoW or not
July 27, 2021: Blizzard workers plan walkout over sexism scandal, WoW team addresses playerbase
July 27, 2021: Massively OP Podcast Episode 332: Does every voice really matter at Blizzard?
July 27, 2021: Activision-Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick: ‘The leadership team has heard you loud and clear’
July 28, 2021: Activision-Blizzard walkout organizers respond to Kotick, Kotaku exposes ‘Cosby suite’ attendees
July 29, 2021: Blizzard Day 9: Ubisoft stands in solidarity, Ashes of Creation buys Blizzard workers lunch
July 29, 2021: WoW Factor: Why does this latest Blizzard scandal feel so different?
July 30, 2021: Massively Overthinking: Has Blizzard’s sexism lawsuit changed your gaming plans?
July 30, 2021: An Activision-Blizzard worker was arrested for bathroom peeping in 2018
August 1, 2021: Former ArenaNet co-founder Jeff Strain calls for game dev unionization
August 3, 2021: Blizzard’s J. Allen Brack is stepping down ahead of today’s investor call
August 3, 2021: The gamer in the infamous BlizzCon video says she ‘dodged a bullet’ by not working at Blizzard
August 3, 2021: Activision-Blizzard Q2 2021: Activision revenues are up, Blizzard MAUs are down amid sexism scandal
August 3, 2021: Activision-Blizzard Day 14: Brack and Meschuk exits, fraud lawsuit, proto-union, and Q2 financials
August 4, 2021: Vague Patch Notes: Blizzard may live on, but it will never be Blizzard again
August 6, 2021: Activision-Blizzard sexism scandal day 17: More esports sponsors consider abandoning Overwatch League
August 6, 2021: New exposé reveals still more layers of sexual harassment and discrimination at Blizzard
August 7, 2021: Activision-Blizzard: Frances Townsend steps down from one studio post, Jeff Kurtenacker departs
August 8, 2021: Diablo community manager recounts low pay, a sexually threatening culture, and mistreatment at Blizzard
August 10, 2021: Blizzard workers address the drawbacks of boycotts, gamers lament WoW’s deep decline
August 11, 2021: Activision-Blizzard shareholder group blasts response to scandal, demands board reshuffle
August 11, 2021: Blizzard apparently ousted three more key devs, including Diablo IV’s game director
August 12, 2021: WoW Factor: What do changes in Blizzard management mean for World of Warcraft?
August 13, 2021: Overwatch League loses more sponsors as workers expose Activision-Blizzard’s toxic culture
August 24, 2021: California lawsuit now alleges Activision-Blizzard HR literally ‘shredded’ evidence
August 26, 2021: Blizzard is changing the name of Overwatch’s character McCree
August 27, 2021: Overwatch’s McCree isn’t the only Blizzard character getting a rename
August 31, 2021: Blizzard offers piles of Hearthstone and World of Warcraft loot to boost subs
September 1, 2021: Blizzard’s Mike Ybarra clarifies that Ion Hazzikostas is still running World of Warcraft
September 2, 2021: World of Warcraft removes references to former employees and removes the AoE cap in patch 9.1.5
September 14, 2021: World of Warcraft promotes Overlords of Outland and Shadowlands 9.1.5 as labor organizers take the fight to Activision-Blizzard
September 20, 2021: The feds are now investigating Activision-Blizzard as the SEC subpoenas execs including Bobby Kotick
September 21, 2021: The Daily Grind: Is Blizzard right to ‘desexualize’ art in World of Warcraft?
September 21, 2021: Activision-Blizzard is now being investigated by four state and federal regulators as its top legal VP departs
September 23, 2021: WoW Factor: World of Warcraft replacing sexualized artwork misses the point
September 27, 2021: Activision-Blizzard says it’s settling with the EEOC, committing $18M to victims and charities
September 30, 2021: Union organizers call Activision-Blizzard’s $18M EEOC settlement a ‘slap in the face’
October 1, 2021: Here’s Blizzard’s rationale for changing some of World of Warcraft’s emotes, art, and names
October 8, 2021: California’s DFEH files an objection to the settlement between Activision-Blizzard and the EEOC
October 11, 2021: Two government agencies are now squabbling over ethics allegations in Activision-Blizzard cases
October 13, 2021: World of Warcraft tweaks another NPC name and more dialogue to reduce transphobia, racism, and sexism
October 20, 2021: Activision-Blizzard requests venue change and pause in DFEH lawsuit, says it’s fired 20 people for misconduct
October 22, 2021: Overwatch’s McCree becomes Cole Cassidy on October 26
October 25, 2021: Activision-Blizzard is denied its request to pause the DFEH lawsuit
October 26, 2021: Blizzard has now fully canceled BlizzConline, originally slated for early 2022
October 28, 2021: Activision-Blizzard partly meets some worker demands, dramatically cuts Bobby Kotick’s compensation
October 28, 2021: Blizzard fully assimilates Diablo II: Resurrected’s Vicarious Visions
November 2, 2021: Activision-Blizzard Q3 2021: Blizzard MAUs hold steady at 26M as Diablo II Resurrected drives revenues
November 9, 2021: Activision-Blizzard labor organizers score win for contractors as the Actiblizz lawsuits continue
November 16, 2021: Activision-Blizzard’s Bobby Kotick hit with new accusations, Jen Oneal speaks up, employees walk out
November 17, 2021: Some Activision-Blizzard shareholders join calls for Bobby Kotick’s ouster
November 18, 2021: Activision-Blizzard workers and industry giants join chorus calling for Bobby Kotick’s resignation
November 22, 2021: Bobby Kotick considers leaving Activision-Blizzard if he can’t quickly fix its ongoing frat boy culture
November 23, 2021: Activision-Blizzard’s board launched an extraneous ‘workplace responsibility’ committee overnight
December 1, 2021: One of Activision-Blizzard’s key workers alliance organizers just left the company – and the gaming industry
December 2, 2021: Treasurers of states invested in Activision-Blizzard join the call for leadership changes
December 4, 2021: Activision-Blizzard is suddenly laying off more QA, won’t be at The Game Awards
December 7, 2021: Activision-Blizzard is walking out again, Australia’s game industry unionizes
December 9, 2021: Activision-Blizzard fields new accusations as workers strike, fundraise, and issue union cards
December 13, 2021: Massively OP’s 2021 Awards: Biggest MMO Blunder
December 14, 2021: Court denies the California DFEH intervention in the Activision-Blizzard EEOC settlement
December 17, 2021: Activision-Blizzard published its representation data, admitting it has ‘a lot of work to do’
January 6, 2022: Raven Software strike extends to its third week as Activision-Blizzard claims management is listening
January 11, 2022: California DFEH appeals court denial to intervene in Activision-Blizzard’s EEOC settlement
January 11, 2022: LEGO pauses launch of Overwatch 2 toy set over ongoing Activision-Blizzard scandal
January 12, 2022: Former Activision-Blizzard staffer likens the company to the Titanic
January 13, 2022: The Daily Grind: What do you think the end looks like for the ongoing Blizzard saga?
January 17, 2022: Activision-Blizzard addresses Call of Duty mess, striking devs report ‘radio silence’
January 18, 2022: Microsoft is acquiring Activision-Blizzard, Bobby Kotick is still CEO
January 18, 2022: Activision-Blizzard claims it fired still more employees but disputes scope of misconduct
January 19, 2022: Acti-Blizz buyout, day two: Labor, stock, Kotick, and the reasons behind the sale
January 20, 2022: Activision-Blizzard submits useless Microsoft buyout FAQ for employees
January 20, 2022: Blizzard addresses regaining player trust as Kotick’s all-hands meeting leaves workers unsettled
January 21, 2022: Activision-Blizzard’s Raven Software is formally unionizing
January 24, 2022: Activision’s Raven Software workers end strike pending official recognition of its union
January 26, 2022: Raven Software files for union election after ActiBlizz ignores recognition request
January 30, 2022: Union asks SEC to investigate Activision-Blizzard’s ‘inaccurate and misleading’ acquisition statements
February 2, 2022: The FTC will investigate the Microsoft Acti-Blizz buyout, company to skip Q4 conference call
February 3, 2022: Activision-Blizzard Q4 2021: Blizzard lost another 2M monthly actives as ABK revenue holds steady
February 12, 2022: WAPO’s latest Bobby Kotick article lays bare his vindictive litigation history
February 18, 2022: ABK reportedly tries to stall Raven Software’s union vote as DFEH and SEC issue new subpoenas
February 21, 2022: Microsoft’s Activision-Blizzard offer happened lightning-fast – and Microsoft wasn’t the only bidder
February 24, 2022: Activision Blizzard’s Bobby Kotick urged by U.S. Senator to get out of the way of unionization efforts
February 25, 2022: Activision Blizzard faces lawsuits from shareholders regarding the sale to Microsoft
February 26, 2022: California’s attempt to stay Activision Blizzard’s EEOC settlement has failed in court
March 5, 2022: Family of Activision-Blizzard employee allegedly harassed into suicide filed a wrongful death suit
March 8, 2022: Blizzard’s new diversity lead assures fans of progress on inclusion, worker safety, and accountability
March 9, 2022: Three Activision-Blizzard shareholders are under investigation for possible insider trading
March 25, 2022: Another worker lodges a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit against Activision-Blizzard
April 1, 2022: Some U.S. senators give the Microsoft-Activision buyout the big stink-eye
April 2, 2022: Activision-Blizzard reverses plan to lift in-office vaccine reqs after employee walkout threat
April 5, 2022: Activision-Blizzard employees stage a digital demonstration over COVID vaccine mandate row
April 8, 2022: Activision-Blizzard promotes over a thousand QA testers and bumps their pay – but not the ones unionizing
April 13, 2022: DFEH attorney accuses California governor of interfering in the Activision-Blizzard lawsuit
April 18, 2022: Activision-Blizzard tells the SEC it hasn’t yet negotiated Kotick’s future with Microsoft
April 23, 2022: Activision-Blizzard’s Raven Software gets green light to vote for a union by National Labor Relations Board
April 25, 2022: Activision-Blizzard Q1 2022: Revenues plummet, Blizzard loses another 2M players
May 3, 2022: Activision-Blizzard wants shareholders to vote against making the company release public abuse reports
May 4, 2022: New York City just lodged a new lawsuit against Activision-Blizzard
May 14, 2022: Activision-Blizzard creeps out the internet with its ‘Diversity Space Tool’ as union-busting continues
May 23, 2022: Raven Software QA votes to form union in spite of months of Activision-Blizzard unionbusting
May 25, 2022: Another group of Activision-Blizzard workers has issued demands for corporate change
June 10, 2022: Its legal options exhausted, Activision-Blizzard finally agrees to negotiate with union after half a year of clowning
June 17, 2022: Activision-Blizzard workers on Board’s exoneration of execs: ‘The fish rots from the head’
July 7, 2022: BlizzCon will return in 2023, Activision-Blizzard employees plan another walkout
July 12, 2022: Activision-Blizzard is using some of its $250M diversity fund to convert and ‘uplevel’ new game devs
July 20, 2022: MMO Business Roundup: Blizzard Albany’s union, BioWare Pride, Sony’s antitrust lawsuit, and the P2E ‘hustle’
August 1, 2022: Activision-Blizzard Q2 2022: More revenue dips for WoW, ABK, and Blizzard in spite of Diablo Immortal
August 4, 2022: Blizzard is union-busting again, this time targeting the Diablo IV team
August 17, 2022: CWA accuses Activision-Blizzard of spying on workers and threatening to shut down labor discussions
August 19, 2022: Judge denies Activision-Blizzard’s attempt to toss California discrimination lawsuit
October 3, 2022: Controversial ActiBlizz exec Frances Townsend moves roles to ‘senior counsel’ to Bobby Kotick
October 4, 2022: Labor board determines Activision-Blizzard retaliated against unionizers, Microsoft launches acquisition website
October 13, 2022: Activision-Blizzard is being sued by yet another of its sexual harassment victims
October 19, 2022: Blizzard Albany’s Diablo QA wins right to unionize as NLRB rejects Activision-Blizzard challenge
October 25, 2022: Activision-Blizzard’s petition to dismiss discrimination suit was thrown out, company faces fresh unfair labor practice charges
November 3, 2022: Activision-Blizzard continues obstructing QA worker unionization with latest appeal
November 4, 2022: Raven workers accuse Activision-Blizzard of ‘continued intransigence’ during union negotiations
November 7, 2022: Activision-Blizzard Q3 2022: Blizzard MAUs and revenues are up as NetEase dispute looms on the horizon
November 17, 2022: Blizzard once again tries to delay Albany QA workers’ union vote through a request for review
December 3, 2022: QA workers at Diablo IV studio unanimously vote to form a union
December 7, 2022: Activision-Blizzard releases its year-to-date diversity statistics showing an increase in underrepresented groups
December 8, 2022: The FTC is moving to block Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision-Blizzard
December 9, 2022: New report on crunch at Diablo IV’s Blizzard Albany casts doubt on June 6, 2023, early access date
January 10, 2023: Workers at Blizzard-owned Proletariat say management refused its union and is ‘forcing’ them to go through NLRB voting
February 6, 2023: Activision-Blizzard Q4 2022: Blizzard revenues, MAUs spike thanks to WoW Dragonflight and Overwatch 2
February 8, 2023: Activision-Blizzard’s Bobby Kotick predicts a bleak future for a UK that rejects the Microsoft merger
February 17, 2023: Blizzard’s Mike Ybarra stuns devs with demoralizing bonus-slashing and return-to-work meeting
April 3, 2023: Labor board moves forward on union’s labor law charges against Activision-Blizzard
April 26, 2023: Activision-Blizzard Q1 2023: ABK revenues are up as Blizzard MAUs fall back down to reality
May 31, 2023: Bobby Kotick decries ‘aggressive labor movement’ trying to ‘destabilize’ Activision-Blizzard
June 2, 2023: Activision-Blizzard offers (some) hard numbers on its harassment and discrimination problem
June 22, 2023: Activision-Blizzard shareholders vote down anti-union busting proposal
July 11, 2023: Judge denies FTC’s injunction request, clearing the way for Microsoft’s Activision-Blizzard merger
July 19, 2023: Activision-Blizzard Q2 2023: Diablo IV doubled Blizzard’s revenues as MAUs continue decline
