It's here if you haven't read it. http://www.gamespot.com/news/6226758.html?tag=latestheadlines;title;1

Basically, I'm disappointed in some of the comments I read on this story. I mean, Klotick sounds like a big scary evil businessman, I get it. But does that necessarily mean he's dumb, that he's evil/should be killed, or that he's ruining Activision/Blizzard games?

I don't think so at all. My reasons are below, and I'd like to know what everyone else actually thinks about this subject, beyond mere gut-reaction comments. Too often we condemn the business side of videogames without even considering what we're doing. I've certainly done that with EA in the past, but that discussion is best left for another post.

Bob Kotick's business strategy is not necessarily a bad thing for anyone who works for Blizzard or enjoys their games. It is, however, a pretty big challenge to EA.

Blizzard's core corporate culture and creative process is entirely unaffected by Kotick's aggressive management philosophy. Here's why: http://www.blizzard.com/us/press/activision-faq.html?rhtml=y
Kotick is a talented executive, and he's definitely smart enough to know that you try as hard as possible to leave the creative processes of acquired entertainment outfits unchanged following an art firm takeover. If you buy Pixar, do you run around their studio telling them they have to finish their next movie in half the time while using only cheap netbooks? No, you poke your head in and say "Hi. I own you. Here's a blank check to make a great friggin movie, call me if you need anything."

The funless, "packaged goods" guys are working in corporate, and if anything, they'll help Blizzard artists make even better games and have even more fun doing it by increasing the company's profits (which will not only give Blizzard more resources/new technologies to play with, but it will also increase value for the shareholders, leading to longer management tenures and fewer uncertain leadership changes).

In short, don't hate on Klotick unless you'd rather have EA alone at the top of the videogame industry totem pole. His decisions have already measurably increased his company's net revenues, and delivered lower than expected operating expenses.
http://seekingalpha.com/article/154118-activision-blizzard-q2-2009-earnings-call-transcript?page=3
And again, there's no way he'd do something as dumb as forcing blizzard to release terrible, potboiler editions of tired franchises like EA does all the time. Starcraft 2 development has gone on FOREVER, certainly not on the cheap. Did Klotick force the game out to save money? No. He's letting Blizzard do its thing, indicating he favors a winning combination (for gamers and shareholders alike) of high profits and quality games for years to come.

Any other takes, viewpoints, arguments?

Google Goal Line Blitz to check it out

It's still a Beta game in its second season of operation. and it's pretty ghetto right now, but I definitely think Gamespot should do an article on it if it takes off even more.

It's basically a web-based, American Football manager game where you create 1 or more players, level them up by playing, and manage them through their careers. If you're lucky enough to own a team, you get a little more in-depth play as you have to sign players, manage tactics, expand your stadium, work out trades, etc.

Two guys started it in their spare time, and demand has skyrocketed causing them to add more teams and servers. The popularity of football and mmorpg together is noteworthy, as well as the fact that it's actually possible to play the game for free for as long as you want (or pay as much as you want to boost your player's levels or add new players).

The game isn't for everybody, since the actual games are simmed, the enjoyment comes from the management/community part, but it's worth checking out if you wanna get in on something kind've new that requires as much or as little time as you want it to.