Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has accused Embracer Group of secretly benefiting from the 2022 lawsuit that tried to block Microsoft’s $67.8 billion purchase of Activision Blizzard.
The lawsuit was filed by Swedish pension fund AP7 during Microsoft’s acquisition deal.
In a court filing, Kotick claimed: “This Delaware lawsuit was apparently aimed to help pave the way for Embracer to increase its foothold in the California market at the expense of Activision.”
He also called Embracer a “potential secret collaborator on the suit.”
Kotick argued the lawsuit made it harder for Activision Blizzard to hire talent and grow through acquisitions.
Embracer Group denied the accusations and responded: “Although it is perhaps difficult to accept for Mr. Kotick, we did not and do not need any help from a Swedish pension fund in competing with Activision.”
Microsoft has agreed to pay $250 million to settle a shareholder lawsuit over its 2023 purchase of Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft bought Activision Blizzard for about $75.4 billion. Some shareholders said the company was sold too quickly and at a low price.
They claimed former Activision leaders, including Bobby Kotick, pushed the deal through while the company faced sexual harassment and misconduct scandals.
The shareholders also said the company did not share enough information about the sale and that the process was unfair.
Microsoft and the former executives denied any wrongdoing but agreed to pay $250 million to settle the case.
The money will go to affected shareholders, and the settlement does not admit guilt.
I tried the “Pete and Bobby Challenge” of 100 push-ups and 50 pull ups in 10 minutes. The push ups aren’t a problem, and I figured I could do 5 pull ups x 10 on a 1 minute cadence, but I crapped out after 25. It turns out I can barely do 5x10 on a two minute cadence, so I have a ways to go.