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As rumored but never mentioned directly to those affect until the business day ’s end , Activision Blizzardbegins its mass layoff today in a move that will leave about 800 employee jobless . However , thanks to the monolithic manufacturer ’s noble sacrifice of those hundred whose employment was deemed nonessential , Activision Blizzard is reporting its highest taxation figures in companionship chronicle .
As predicted by various outlets earlier this week , Activision Blizzard drop the axe on the for the most part unsuspecting victim of today ’s long - bruit layoff . Forecast since the end of 2018 , an net call between Activision Blizzard executives and shareholders today confirmed what was totally unknown to many faculty members and almost sure as shooting an unending nightmare hanging over the head of those who caught current of air of the bad news by word of mouthpiece . Of naturally , no one knew better of the coming mass sacking than the executive display board of Activision Blizzard , itself , but even in the face ofhigh - profile departures of key playersand readable grounds of shareowner enmityfollowing the passing of Bungie’sDestinythey were too busyhanding out $ 15 million to the company ’s newest CFO .
Related : Activision Blizzard Hit With Multiple Class Action Lawsuits Over Bungie Split
That conference call with investor , during which Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick proudly proclaimed the society ’s 2018 financial result to be " the best in [ their ] history , " was the formal announcement of 8 percent of the company staff ’s collective terminus . The call , and its accompanyingQ4 net profit report , leaves an approximative 800 employees in " non - development part " to resist for themselves while Activision Blizzard boorishly swivel to more intensely focus its capital and human resources on major franchises likeCall of DutyandOverwatch . The internet has n’t wasted any time slamming Kotick in meme shape , one of which can be seen below .
It bears repeating that the most disconcerting thing about this full amour is Activision Blizzard ’s borderline - negligent refusal to give employees present the chopping cylinder block the slightest of warnings , with many of those strike by these layoff only having learned today that their line of work were even in risk . An internal letter from Blizzard president J. Allen Brack that circulated among his faculty was brought to light byKotaku , reading :
" Over the last few years , many of our non - development team expanded to fend for various needs . Currently staffing levels on some teams are out of proportionality with our current release slate . This means we demand to scale down some areas of our organization . I ’m sorry to share that we will be parting way of life with some of our colleagues in the U.S. today . In our regional offices , we anticipate similar rating , subject to local requirements . ”
A slightly less lukewarm reading of that missive was issued by Brack as a Blizzard jam release , explicate that staff fellow member being permit go would be move over " additional pay , benefits protraction , and life history and recruiting musical accompaniment " as part of their severance . It can be safely assumed that laid off employees on the Activision side of things are receiving like ( if not identical ) rift packages to " help them feel their next opportunity , " but by no step does that excuseActivion Blizzard’snear - total lack of notice prior to net hundreds of highly talented professionals whom the troupe owe for its most successful year on criminal record .
More:It Gets Worse: Activision Blizzard Under Investigation For Securities Fraud
Source : Activision Blizzard , Kotaku
