Sign on Options
Theme:
To Dark

Activision CEO wants to break console 'walled garden'

Publisher head laments lack of income from online console games such as Modern Warfare 2; will strongly support new PC-based hardware designed to connect straight to TVs.

Activision Blizzard CEO Robert Kotick is certainly not afraid to speak his mind. Last year, the executive made blunt threats to drop support for the PlayStation 3 and the PSP unless Sony made cuts to the hardware's price. He also earned the ire of many gamers after stating at a conference in 2009 that he wanted to "take all the fun out of making video games." Kotick also predicted a future independent of game consoles, a statement he reiterated over the weekend in an interview with business news organisation The Financial Times.

Activision Blizzard CEO Robert Kotick.

Activision Blizzard CEO Robert Kotick.

In the FT interview, Kotick lamented the fact that despite the strong sales of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2, the publisher saw no additional revenue from the game's continuing popularity on console online environments like Xbox Live. "We've heard that 60 percent of [Microsoft's] subscribers are principally on Live because of Call of Duty," Kotick told FT. "We don't really participate financially in that income stream. We would really like to be able to provide much more value to those millions of players playing on Live, but it's not our network."

The Activision CEO said the company would "very aggressively" support new gaming hardware being planned by the likes of HP and Dell to better integrate PCs with TVs, saying this would break the Xbox 360 and PS3's "walled gardens with new gamer-friendly PCs, designed to be plugged into the television. PCs have long been used for online play, but PC gaming remains niche when the games industry needs to widen its appeal."

"We have always been platform agnostic," Kotick said. "[Consoles] do a very good job of supporting the gamer. If we are going to broaden our audiences, we are going to need to have other devices."

1280 Comments

  • steveguttenberg

    Posted Aug 9, 2010 7:45 pm GMT

    @ dsb333

    Lying, no-good, four flushing? The clown from Uncle Buck? http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0098554/quotes

  • dsb333

    Posted Aug 9, 2010 1:39 am GMT

    Kotick himself must browse this forum... he's the only ****head big enough to give my prior comment a thumbs down. Maybe you ENJOY what he's doing to the games industry? Maybe you're a Kotick-supporter? Jesus...

  • dsb333

    Posted Aug 2, 2010 5:01 pm GMT

    @ Proman84 : Bobby Kotick is THAT bad. He's a cheap, lying, no-good, rotten, four-flushing, low-life, snake-licking, dirt-eating, inbred, overstuffed, ignorant, blood-sucking, dog-kissing, brainless, ****less, hopeless, heartless, fat-***, bug-eyed, stiff-legged, spotty-lipped, worm-headed sack of monkey ****.

    Holy **** where's the Tylenol?

  • Proman84

    Posted Aug 2, 2010 3:53 pm GMT

    Hey, anyone who supports PCs can't be that bad.

  • Charocks

    Posted Aug 2, 2010 11:06 am GMT

    A moment of silence for this man's career. He honestly wants gamers to hate him. I propose we have a console-wide celebration when Craptivision goes under due to him.

  • vule69

    Posted Jul 31, 2010 6:14 am GMT

    When the price of blue ray disc goes down,Sony will sell more consoles.
    People will buy the console if they can get the games for free over torrents.

  • jakybuddy

    Posted Jul 23, 2010 10:29 am GMT

    He wont support PlayStation because of its hardware's price? Please. PlayStation is more expensive because there IS more hardware in it. The system does more therefore needs to be more expensive. That is probably the most ridiculous thing I have ever read.

    As far as the new console-PC Idea, i think it could work pretty well. If they are able to make a computer that hooks up to the TV, has the ability to comfortably run all games, and is priced decently, it could be a huge hit. I personally think it would be nice to get away from Microsoft's ridiculous online fee, and rather rely on my own internet fee as you would with a computer.

    As for his 'Lets take the fun out of making video games' statement, that is completely unacceptable. Those money trees growing happily on their desks will die off real quick if they keep that terrible state of mind.

  • lowkey254

    Posted Jul 21, 2010 6:21 pm GMT

    F* this guy, he just wants money.

  • GryffinDarkBred

    Posted Jul 14, 2010 7:59 am GMT

    @Zero9898: English, mother____er, do you speak it?! Seriously, there's no character limit on these comments, USE WHOLE WORDS, not cell phone shorthand. Txtng is going to be the end of the civilized world, I swear.

  • xenogearz88

    Posted Jul 12, 2010 4:16 am GMT

    someone need to take Kotex (....did I get his name right?...nvm) out on the streets and shoot him in the head ,with a makarov, in BROAD DAYLIGHT!!

  • chazzeromus

    Posted Jul 11, 2010 5:49 pm GMT

    Get high end graphics card with HDMI out, there's your console.

  • Predator_Spear

    Posted Jul 11, 2010 9:45 am GMT

    A system you plug into a TV and play is called A CONSOLE! Kotick is a moron.

  • leeko_link

    Posted Jul 10, 2010 8:11 pm GMT

    "Publisher head laments lack of income from online console games such as Modern Warfare 2; will strongly support new PC-based hardware designed to connect straight to TVs."

    In other words, they will love to work with OnLive.

  • OrNiGhTZ

    Posted Jul 10, 2010 4:09 pm GMT

    well w,wow I have no idea to object to this.

  • super600

    Posted Jul 9, 2010 11:42 pm GMT

    I now feel really sad for the people that support Activision because of what's being talked about on System Wars, We have to educated the uninformed person about this company to prevent them for fufilling all their plans.

  • PuppetMaster786

    Posted Jul 9, 2010 4:13 pm GMT

    well he is retarded because his games are full of glitches and down right unfinished and if there were no consoles then where would you play your game? If they made their own system of playing the game then imagine it being very expensive, constantly changing and of course a horrible cheap product. IMO

  • jacob5622

    Posted Jul 9, 2010 10:43 am GMT

    My God what a hypocrite. Let's look at some facts through a logical arguement!

    Premise 1: Kotick hates consoles. (As seen in above article)
    Premise 2: COD:MW2's multiplayer system is ported from console versions.

    Conclusion: One word is all that's needed. HYPOCRITE.

    If he is so pro-PC gaming, then he should stick with online multiplayer systems which benefit PC play, ie. dedicated servers!

  • TheMoosiah

    Posted Jul 9, 2010 2:07 am GMT

    Its hard to realize any appreciation for what he's saying, particularly when they're consistently ripping off players with overpriced, underworked-on map packs.

    I'm sorry that a console first-person shooter isn't quite the money farm that World of Warcraft has been, but I have to say that I doubt its doing any damage to the company's situation.

    And, on this note, all the luck to Respawn Entertainment with their relationship with EA.

  • Zero9698

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 11:13 pm GMT

    another thing & ill shut up i remember dat article bout d drop support 4 ps3 & psp hey idiot CEO u want da $ right then dnt drop support 4 it retard hope dis guy gets fired & go broke
    btw if ur a vid game history buff u would kno dat EA drop support 4 sega because d saturn didnt make enough sales bcuz no1 bought it so EA said they will nvr support sega again then dreamcast came out & sega made there own sports games

  • Zero9698

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 11:07 pm GMT

    @BarSoapSuds he does look like a a-hole

  • Zero9698

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 11:05 pm GMT

    wow he actually said he wants 2 take d fun outa games as you can c he is mo bout $ then games so sad they need sum1 as CEO who has not only a passion 4 games but has a college degree in business/marketing(lol) vid games r a business now but if ur all bout business lose wats important(games dat r good) but nowadays CEOs use wats selling (rock band guitar hero cod other FPS) & dats d problem but we stranglely go out & buy these bcuz dats all there is 2 buy(well there r other things u just gtta look duh)

  • BarSoapSuds

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 10:56 pm GMT

    this guys a giant money (w)hording douche.

  • UnderQuarantine

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 6:39 pm GMT

    He even LOOKS like a douche.

  • funkyfritter

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 6:12 pm GMT

    Well at this rate activision should die out pretty quickly. I just hope that they don't drag blizzard down with them.

  • Kleeyook

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 5:35 pm GMT

    Please do not support MW2 until this **** Kotick changed his **** idea and apologize to us! Activision! How much greedy could you possibly be!?

  • pupaboy

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 4:01 pm GMT

    I heard that Kotick now wants to shake down Microsoft for some of its XBL gaming money. Kotick seems like he just wants to piss everyone off. Microsoft shouldn't give Activision a dime. If Kotick wants to withhold COD from the Xbox, it will be Activision's loss. XBL will keep on going without COD.

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 3:37 pm GMT

    Kotick needs to learn how to actually be a good CEO.

    Take a look at Nintendo. In a recet news headline on this website, it was said that their CEO, Satoru Iwata, actaully accepts a reduced salary for himself so that he wouldn't be corrupted by cash, and so his company can put these funds to better use in bringing out quality games for the consumers. The same goes for the company's own Shigeru Miyamoto.

    THUMBS UP please if you think that PIGS WILL FLY before Kotick & Activision will ever become as honorable as those such as Iwata & Nintendo.

  • COPMAN221

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 2:58 pm GMT

    Hmmm $15.00 for some crappy maps or $15.00 for an entire game (Black Light Tango Down). What to do what to do? F U Activision! Got the game and it's worth every penny. I will even say I'm having more fun with it than MW2. Sorry Mr. Kotex's my money went elsewhere

  • ptown58

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 1:04 pm GMT

    Sorry if I hurt any ones feelers but consoles can NOT do everything a normal computer can do, better ? it would be nice to be able to play ANY game on my computer though.

  • 0Aragorn0

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 10:33 am GMT

    I am reminded of the quote: "It's better to be thought an idiot than open your mouth and prove them right." Bobby Kotick's comments clearly reflect that he's all about making as much money as possible. Nevermind the fact that they made millions upon millions with CoD and it's expansions...they want to get 100% of your money by having you play games on their network. Why stop there Bobby? You can make your own internet service and get even more money! How about making your own TVs so that the games can only run on your TVs? The problem with PC's is not the screen you play it on, it's about the system requirements needed to play games (at least for me it is). How many times do you buy a new pc and in less than a year it's already out of date and needs upgrades? The 360, PS3, and Wii are merely a limited computer with a set of rules for games...although you can't upgrade and keep growing as well as PC, at least you know you can play any game made for the system because it has to obey those limited rules. I swear Bobby Kotick is either a money loving gremlin, an idiot, or someone who likes to create controversy to create publicity...maybe all of the above.

  • ds127

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 10:09 am GMT

    Hahahaha... thats funny!

    the purpose of consoles is to be multifunctional devices, able to play a variety of games in order to appeal to the consumer.

    Having a machine that limits this definition in any way (my brand new console can play call of duty and ...) will limit its appeal

    not that call of duty is bad, but how many people will shell out $200 in order to play call of duty because kotick won't want any other companies products on their console (because it loses activision $$$)

  • IrishBulldog93 posted Jul 8, 2010 7:49 am GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    IrishBulldog93

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 7:49 am GMT (hide)

    wow 1262 comments !! and about 100 of them are probably people like me who can see that there just branching out to other audiences !! really people quit going with the crowd and saying you the h8 the man and read the article b4 putting down a 2 word comment like"greedy B******" !! but really this wont probably happen for another 4 or 5 years so get over it !! this is just free publicity for activision !!

  • GunBladeHero

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 7:34 am GMT

    Tsk! What a jerk...
    Dumb thought + Dumb Idea = Company going bankrupt

  • Kvon403

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 7:28 am GMT

    this guy is going to ruin the greatness of console gaming. R.I.P playing with people who are actually on a console and by the way I hope activision dies and that EA wil get the credit it deserves because I like call of duty but I dont LIKE call of duty if that makes sense and the only reason people play cod is cause there is nothing else to play

  • warmaster670

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 6:52 am GMT

    "let them do it i say, let them spend all their money......and when no one buys them activision will be in the crap once again, but who will save them this time hmm? cut off the head and it will die, and im looking at it right now"
    Yup im sure there gonna run out of money, i mean they only have the highest grossing mmo ever combined with one of the fastest selling games ever.

  • DanteDelacoix

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 1:44 am GMT

    let them do it i say, let them spend all their money......and when no one buys them activision will be in the crap once again, but who will save them this time hmm? cut off the head and it will die, and im looking at it right now

  • crunchb3rry

    Posted Jul 8, 2010 1:36 am GMT

    What he's really going to hate is Medal of Honor stealing all his future sales. DICE, bumbling idiots as they are, still have the decency to fix its games problems, unlike Mr. Call Of Duty CEO.

  • PandaBear86

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 11:00 pm GMT

    I have a Samsung TV in my house. This TV obviusly chews up lots of electricity. Does this mean that the next time I get my electricity bill, Samsung should ask my electrcity supplier for a share of the profits? After all, my Samsung TV is making me use electricity in the first place, so does that sound logical? Bobby Kotick seems to agree...

  • suprsolider

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 10:52 pm GMT

    And there was computers that could plug into the TV, they were the Commodore 64,Amiga,Atari 400,800,ST.

    But CEO's like yourself thought they were sill game machines and not real business hardware and ignored them and now they are all gone and let MS take over with their crap windows. Now you want that feature back. Make up your mind.

  • suprsolider

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 10:49 pm GMT

    Wow, way to go AGAINST what Activision was founded on so many years ago.

    Nice going Kotick. Now roll over and die and be done with it.

  • mrhagane

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 9:12 pm GMT

    hey guys! i bring you a GOOD NEWS!
    hear me, we are now gathering all activision hater in some blah blah blah place.... we are now have a million people fully armored with tank, jetplane, rocket launcher, NUKE, etc, etc, etc, etc... ready to show activision what is MODERN WAREFARE feels like. LOL!! 2 thumbs up to me if you want to join

  • wbezuidenhout

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 6:36 pm GMT

    He'd really go that far just to make sure that he can wring every bit of revenue from anything he can think of? "Screw the convenience of Live, if they're playing anything Activision I want them to pay ME for it!". Essentially what Kotick wants to do is charge you monthly to play CoD...

    PS Ko*ick - What about the PC players, I'm sure you can provide this mythical added value to them? Oh that's right, they're not paying you monthly, they just forked out $100 for the game.

  • Agika

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 5:43 pm GMT

    The way this guy is going.. looks like his going to end up wanting to make his own console. which i hope he fails miserably which i hope he gets lynched by his own fellow chairmen and shareholders.

  • ffdgh1

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 5:15 pm GMT

    ....this guy is an idiot.

  • Brilliant_R

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 4:56 pm GMT

    It doesn't matter whether you prefer Nintendo, Microsoft, or Sony. Satoru Iwata, Bill Gates, and Sony's CEO (I forgot his name sorry) are all a million times better at running their respective companies than Bobby Kotick ever will with Activision.

    THUMBS UP IF YOU AGREE!!!!!

  • archlvt

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 3:31 pm GMT

    "Premium gas for my 400 private jets isn't enough! I want more money so that I can invent my OWN patented gas that sparkles like fireworks when I fly around!"

  • sergio_afonso posted Jul 7, 2010 3:11 pm GMT (does not meet display criteria. sign in to show)

    sergio_afonso

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 3:11 pm GMT (hide)

    Awesome Idea! Give PC more "Power"!!!

  • Torgunner

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 3:11 pm GMT

    "Take all the fun out making video games."

    LOL, no. What a douche.

  • gogly

    Posted Jul 7, 2010 2:35 pm GMT

    Write an article about Kotick, and you'll get an Extroadinary amount of comments. Even if the article consists of one word - "kotick."

Subscribe to GameSpot's YouTube Channel

Hot Stories

Newsmakers

Featured Stories

Tags

activision

Submit News

Got tips? Send them in!