Activision Blizzard releases statement regarding investigations

Activision Blizzard lawsuit
(Image credit: Activision Blizzard)

Activision Blizzard has confirmed that it is being investigated by the Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) and the U.S. Equal Employment Opportunity Commission (EEOC) in a statement released today. 

On the Activision Blizzard Investor site, a post confirmed a recent report from the Wall Street Journal [Paywall] that the publisher is being investigated by the SEC and EEOC. While the statement states that these investigations are concerning "certain employment practices", it's claimed in the Wall Street Journal report that the SEC's investigation scope "[includes] how the videogame-publishing giant handled employees’ allegations of sexual misconduct and workplace discrimination."

The Wall Street Journal report also claims that several Activision executives have been subpoenaed as part of the SEC investigation, including CEO Bobby Kotick. To that end, Activision Blizzard confirmed in this statement that it is "complying with a recent [SEC] subpoena issued to the Company and several current and former employees and executives regarding disclosures on employment matters and related issues."

It added: "The Company is confident in its prior disclosures and is cooperating with the SEC’s investigation."

The statement also confirms that Activision is: "actively engaged in continued discussions with the EEOC and has cooperated with the EEOC’s investigation concerning certain employment practices."  

As part of the statement from Activision, Kotick says: "We are deeply committed to making Activision Blizzard one of the best, most inclusive places to work anywhere. There is absolutely no place anywhere in our Company for discrimination, harassment, or unequal treatment of any kind."

"While we continue to work in good faith with regulators to address and resolve past workplace issues, we also continue to move ahead with our own initiatives to ensure that we are the very best place to work. We remain committed to addressing all workplace issues in a forthright and prompt manner.” 

For all the information on what has happened in recent months with the Call of Duty publisher, here's the Activision Blizzard lawsuit explained

Ben Tyrer
Contributor

Ben Tyrer is a freelance games journalist with over ten years experience of writing about games. After graduating from Bournemouth University with a degree in multimedia journalism he's worked for Official PlayStation Magazine as a staff writer and games editor, as well as GamesRadar+ (hey, that's this website!) as a news editor. He's also contributed to Official Xbox Magazine, Edge, PC Gamer, GamesMaster, PC Games N, and more. His game of the year - no matter the year - is Rocket League.

Read more
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Ubisoft says it's "deeply disturbed" by abuse allegations at support studio that contributed to Assassin's Creed Shadows, Dark Souls, The Last of Us, and more
The Spider-Man pointing meme
Former Unity and EA boss "was the worst CEO in video games," says the arguably worse ex-boss of Activision Blizzard
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Ubisoft "won't comment" on reports of Tencent buyout, only says it's "exploring different options" and "will inform the market if and when a transaction materializes"
Assassin's Creed Shadows cinematic screenshot
Ubisoft shareholder plans protest in response to mismanagement, Assassin's Creed Shadows delays, and alleged acquisition talks with Microsoft and EA
Star Wars Eclipse
Star Wars Eclipse studio lead assures fans that Quantic Dream developers "remain unaffected" by NetEase layoffs, and "are continuing to develop our projects at full pace"
Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League
More layoffs reportedly hit Suicide Squad: Kill the Justice League dev Rocksteady, including another cut to QA
Latest in Games
Lunar Remastered Collection
"Will today’s players still enjoy a game from 30 years ago?": JRPG icon Kei Shigema says he was thrilled to see Lunar getting a remaster even after all this time
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
CD Projekt boss says "cutting-edge single-player games" – you know, like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 – will "continue to enjoy great popularity" despite industry shifts
Cyberpunk 2077
Despite releasing exactly zero new games, CD Projekt bagged $120 million in profit for 2024 – the Witcher and Cyberpunk studio's third-best result ever
Batman looking over the city during Batman: Arkham City, one of the best PS3 games.
The PS2 Batman Begins game was considered such a "disaster" that Christopher Nolan turned down a Dark Knight-inspired game
Yasuke and Naoe ready to fight on the Assassin's Creed Shadows On The Radar thumbnail
On The Radar: Assassin's Creed Shadows coverage hub
Assassin's Creed Shadows Naoe assassinating target with Tanto skill
Assassin's Creed Shadows' first title update is a hotfix with three lines of patch notes and a download size up to 9GB
Latest in News
Lunar Remastered Collection
"Will today’s players still enjoy a game from 30 years ago?": JRPG icon Kei Shigema says he was thrilled to see Lunar getting a remaster even after all this time
Nick Offerman as Bill and Murray Bartlett as Frank in The Last of Us episode 3
The Last of Us season 2 showrunners tease a "gorgeous" episode akin to season 1’s Emmy-nominated Bill and Frank story: "Just you wait"
The Witcher 4 screenshot with Ciri using sword and sorcery to fight an ancient monster
CD Projekt boss says "cutting-edge single-player games" – you know, like The Witcher 4 and Cyberpunk 2 – will "continue to enjoy great popularity" despite industry shifts
Cyberpunk 2077
Despite releasing exactly zero new games, CD Projekt bagged $120 million in profit for 2024 – the Witcher and Cyberpunk studio's third-best result ever
Muse
Daredevil: Born Again midseason trailer teases Matt Murdock’s violent fight with Muse, including a gory scene straight from the comics
Batman looking over the city during Batman: Arkham City, one of the best PS3 games.
The PS2 Batman Begins game was considered such a "disaster" that Christopher Nolan turned down a Dark Knight-inspired game