Activision CEO Bobby Kotick takes pay cut ahead of earnings report

Activision’s top executive wants to make it obvious that he is taking measures to address the publisher’s problems. In a letter to employees, Kotick identified those issues as the company’s ongoing battle against its own toxic workplace culture. But these steps also come at a time when Activision has few potential hit games in its pipeline. The publisher plans to report earnings next week, and Kotick may find himself having to explain why growth is slowing even as the company remained a hostile place to work for many people.

In a belated response, Kotick is promising concrete changes. These include new policies at Activision that include a zero-tolerance stance on harassment as well as the elimination of forced arbitration. Additionally, Kotick has asked the board of directors to slash his own compensation to $62,500 — that includes a cut to his bonuses and equity.