Playstation Chief Jim Ryan goes after Activision

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-17/playstation-chief-criticizes-activision-response-to-allegations

Sony Group Corp.’s PlayStation Chief Jim Ryan admonished Activision Blizzard Inc. Wednesday for an inadequate response to allegations that Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick was aware of sexual misconduct and harassment claims at the game publisher for years and that he had mistreated women.

In an email to employees reviewed by Bloomberg, Ryan linked to the Wall Street Journal’s Tuesday report. He wrote that he and his leadership were “disheartened and frankly stunned to read” that Activision “has not done enough to address a deep-seated culture of discrimination and harassment.”

“We outreached to Activision immediately after the article was published to express our deep concern and to ask how they plan to address the claims made in the article,” he wrote. “We do not believe their statements of response properly address the situation.”

As one of the video game industry’s biggest console manufacturers, Sony has long had a close relationship with Activision, which produces hits like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. In addition to publishing most of its games on PlayStation consoles, Activision has worked with Sony on elaborate marketing deals. The last few entries in the Call of Duty series, including this year’s Call of Duty: Vanguard, have featured exclusive modes and content for the PlayStation.

What do you think, SW? Will Sony go further with this if they're not happy with Activision's actions? Go as far as to pull their games from the service? That would be a pretty bold statement.

Its just a PR move, but I approve of it. Bobby Kotick is a garbage human being.

Considering how Sony and Activision have several exclusivity deals with each other, I think Sony just have a vested interest to keep their noses clean while Activision is imploding.

That's how I read it. I dunno, not really following this whole ActiBlizz mess. Just hope they can sort themselves out and the people affected get what they deserve.

PR

Yay! Jim Ryan does something good. Very nice. The clock has definitely got to be ticking down for Bobby Kotick.

If they actually cared they'd pull all Activision-Blizzard-King content from their stores.

I mean FFS they pulled Cyberpunk and gave refunds when it was a buggy mess, but when a company has a culture that essentially forced a girl to commit suicide because a picture of her vagina was circulated at work, the CEO literally called a subordinate and said "I will fucking kill you", and has repeated abuses of rape and sexual assault, what does Sony do?

Wag their finger? Give me a break.

MS should do their part as well.

I think all these companies need to remove their products from their respective stores. It would be a good first step, and frankly get the ball rolling because I think a lot of players would follow suit as well.

Unfortunately it looks like he gets a $250 million termination bonus in the event he is fired or laid off.

Yeah will be surprised if the activision guy still in the CEO role by morning.

Execs are offering these empty platitudes after Activision's been exposed like they haven't been letting shit slide for years. This is an industry-wide problem and more companies need to be cleaning house. The shit that went down at Activision was gross, but I'm sure Sony has some atrocious shit in their HR files as well.

Don't pat yourself on the back for doing the bare minimum because assholes like Kotick and Guillemot are taking the heat. Use this as a true opportunity to restructure. Actions, not words, go a long way.

PR move lol.

If Sony actually cares, they'd stop all the COD/sony exclusive deals anyway they can.

Yep. that's why I'm not impressed by this at all.

Woa playstation calling out the big dogs whos the big dog now wow

If they pull Activision games. DO IT! Seamus Blackley hates Kotick's ass too!

@mrbojangles25: Hopefully there’ll be some clauses in there that will prevent him from getting such a termination bonus. From the sound of it though he should probably get more then simply fired or laid off.

I'd be more shocked if he WASN'T. The board of directors already said they still support Kotick. As long as the company is gonna turn a profit, they're gonna still let him cook.

The comments from Jim Ryan is just empty lip service meant to placate the public, and give the illusion that they're doing something to take a stand, while doing nothing at all. If Sony wants to truly take a stand, end business ties with Activision Blizzard until Kotick resigns or is removed. Want to REALLY send a message? Remove their products from their digital storefronts until he's gone.

It'll never happen, though. It's a business, after all.

If Kotick resigns or is removed, he should not get any "golden parachute" (generous payment to compel him to resign) or receive any pension. His resignation or removal means nothing if he receives either or both of these things. He needs to leave the company in disgrace, not with honor.

As for the board of directors, its members need to be removed and shareholders need to replace them with members who will take Activision Blizzard in a new direction.

Well what do you expect them to say? That what they did was awesome?

Everyone is just piling in lol Bobby will lost his job. I think we have reached a point that him making Activision a shitload of money doesn't matter anymore. Fire this worm and find another one🤭

The issue with pulling the games is that it doesn't address the actual issue. All who are involved in these behaviors should be dealt with accordingly but potentially tanking the company by delisting their games would hurt the most vulnerable people in the company.

Folks like Bobby can be fired with a huge severance package that would undermine being fired as a punishment. The manner in which these things are dealt with is so counterproductive when they are not criminally handled.

Both are probably in the bed together laughing; And even if any action is made and hurts a big company like Activision the ones that would be fired will be the employees that are being mistreated.

You ppl saying Sony would remove their games from psn are out if their mind lol, COD makes Sony a shit ton of money

Yeah, that's why I said this is a PR move. No way they're gonna let Acti/Blizzard off their stores. Money > morals for these corporations.

Hopefully the board of directors lets him go.

Yeah, distancing Sony from Activision's crap. Guess it's a smart move. I don't see how this is doing something about the problem, as opposed to just caring for his own and his company's skin, though. They're still gonna take all the cash they get from cooperating with Activision.

"We don't approve of your actions, but we support them". Is pretty much what I get from this.

Normally I dont like saying positive things about the playstation department. But I approve of what Sony is doing here.

But it ultimately comes down to virtue signalling in the end. Sony needs to go further. A step in the right direction though.

Bollocks masquerading as morality.

Jim is a liar

They won't.

Meet the Board Members Supporting Bobby Kotick

Yes, I know, It's a Kotaku article (*groan*) but it has some good information if you can get through the self-righteous indignation.

Got some spare time, definitely reading up on the worst company in gaming. Thanks!

Eh, that's all I got for this. lol :P

Grand standing, nothing will come of this. If I’m wrong, everyone wins.

@SecretPolice: That’s all I needed. Thanks. 😅

@Archangel3371:

You sir are more than welcome. ;)

Well, if he feels sure enough on the matter to circulate internal communications on Kotick, then he's in the rare position of being able to act meaningfully on those convictions...

While certainly a valid criticism I can't imagine the CEO of a large company like Sony hasn't been aware of sexual misconduct allegations at their own company that have been swept under the rug.

To those who say it's just a PR move: everything a CEO does or say is a PR move, whether it's sincere from the heart or just a line fed up by his PR department.

I give Jim a thumbs up for what he did, not going to cheer for him or anything but he could've just as easily stay quiet.

At least they put some pressure on them i am sure ms will too, you know the saying goes “Sony leads and MS follows” Holy Book of PlayStation verse 1:23 😘

@sheep99: Not sure about that. Sony has realistic leverage, since they were (presumably) shovelling extra cash or special favours Acti's way in exchange for exclusive content. Fingers crossed they'll end that if they're not satisfied with the response, as, by the sound of things, Jim seems to have some inside knowledge or sth on the accusations. I highly doubt any major platform's about to pull the plug on Activision completely though.

First, take a big step back... and literally, (censored) YOUR OWN FACE! I don't know what kind of pan-pacific bull(--) power play you're trying to pull here, but Asia Jack is my territory. So whatever you're thinking, you'd better think again! Otherwise I'm gonna have to head down there and I will rain down an un-Godly (censored) firestorm upon you! You're gonna have to call the United Nations and get a (-----) binding resolution to keep me from(----)destroying you. I'm talking scorched earth, (censored) ! I will massacre you! I WILL DUCK YOU UP!

i had fun edit this a bit. i never thought i be able to use this with a meme of the character.

thank you. you made my day!

@SolidGame_basic said:

https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-11-17/playstation-chief-criticizes-activision-response-to-allegations

Sony Group Corp.’s PlayStation Chief Jim Ryan admonished Activision Blizzard Inc. Wednesday for an inadequate response to allegations that Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick was aware of sexual misconduct and harassment claims at the game publisher for years and that he had mistreated women.

In an email to employees reviewed by Bloomberg, Ryan linked to the Wall Street Journal’s Tuesday report. He wrote that he and his leadership were “disheartened and frankly stunned to read” that Activision “has not done enough to address a deep-seated culture of discrimination and harassment.”

“We outreached to Activision immediately after the article was published to express our deep concern and to ask how they plan to address the claims made in the article,” he wrote. “We do not believe their statements of response properly address the situation.”

As one of the video game industry’s biggest console manufacturers, Sony has long had a close relationship with Activision, which produces hits like Call of Duty and World of Warcraft. In addition to publishing most of its games on PlayStation consoles, Activision has worked with Sony on elaborate marketing deals. The last few entries in the Call of Duty series, including this year’s Call of Duty: Vanguard, have featured exclusive modes and content for the PlayStation.

What do you think, SW? Will Sony go further with this if they're not happy with Activision's actions? Go as far as to pull their games from the service? That would be a pretty bold statement.

All you have to do is look at the guys face (kotick) and see that somethings is wrong there. Anyways, good for Jim.

Hollow words. What's Jimmy going to do about it? He's "disheartened" all the way to the bank.

Pulling games is stupid and does nothing but hurts your consumer. Maybe end some of the exclusive and bundle deals if you like. Regardless Activision/Blizzard has been trash for awhile and it will without question get worse.

I agree with this. Kotick is a garbage human being.

https://www.businessinsider.com/activision-ceo-bobby-kotick-reportedly-threatened-former-assistant-killed-2021-11

https://wccftech.com/activision-board-supports-bobby-kotick-playstation-ryan-xbox-spencer-concern/

@SolidGame_basic: https://www.techtimes.com/articles/268247/20211119/playstation-secretly-removes-call-duty-vanguard-removal-possibly-linked-allegations.htm

They actually did something this time. I’m honestly shocked.

Bobby Kotick isn't the problem, its the whole damn Board of Directors that all needs to be Fired! Until they all go, Bobby will still be in power,

Activision can burn down in flames for all I care, and I won't shed a tear.

Andrew Wilson The Cyborg and Bobby Kotick The Demon are two very special individuals. Don't let them bread.

So now Sony, MS, and Nintendo have all sent internal memos about this, all of which have leaked. That can't be a good look for Kodick, since he still refuses to step down.

This is all great news to me; more industries and people with high influence need to start doing stuff like this: singling out the bad actors.

Honestly, GabeN and Sweeney need to say something too.