Sex Abuse Litigation

All major cases

Activision Blizzard

California's lawsuit over harassment and discrimination at the video game company, and the settlements that followed.

10 developments, 2021–2023, oldest first.

2021

  1. California sues Activision Blizzard alleging harassment and 'frat boy' culture

    California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing sued Activision Blizzard alleging widespread sexual harassment and discrimination against women. The company disputed the claims.

    Lawsuit filed Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by Bloomberg Law

  2. Activision Blizzard employees walk out over company's response to lawsuit

    Employees staged a walkout protesting leadership's initial response to the state lawsuit and demanding changes to policies on harassment and arbitration.

    Allegation Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by KUNC (NPR)

  3. Blizzard president J. Allen Brack steps down amid harassment scandal

    Blizzard Entertainment president J. Allen Brack left the company in the wake of the California lawsuit and employee protests.

    Policy change Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by Axios

  4. Activision Blizzard reaches $18 million deal with EEOC

    The EEOC sued Activision Blizzard over sexual harassment and discrimination and the company simultaneously agreed to an $18 million fund to compensate eligible workers.

    Settlement Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by GBH (NPR)

  5. WSJ reports CEO Bobby Kotick knew of misconduct claims; staff walk out again

    A Wall Street Journal report said Kotick knew of sexual misconduct allegations for years without fully informing the board, prompting calls for his resignation. Kotick called the report inaccurate.

    Allegation Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by HR Dive

2022

  1. Judge approves Activision Blizzard's $18 million EEOC settlement

    A federal judge approved the consent decree resolving the EEOC's harassment and discrimination case against Activision Blizzard.

    Settlement Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by CNBC

  2. Activision board review says executives did not ignore harassment

    An Activision Blizzard board review concluded there was no evidence senior executives ignored or tried to cover up harassment, a finding criticized by employee advocates.

    Investigation Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by TechXplore (AP)

2023

  1. Activision Blizzard pays $35 million to settle SEC workplace misconduct disclosure case

    The SEC said Activision Blizzard lacked controls to assess workplace misconduct complaints for disclosure and violated whistleblower rules; the company paid $35 million without admitting or denying the findings.

    Settlement Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by SEC via Newsfile

  2. Activision Blizzard to pay $54 million to settle California civil rights lawsuit

    The company agreed to pay $54 million to resolve the state's lawsuit, mostly over pay and promotion claims; the settlement stated no court or independent investigation had substantiated claims of systemic sexual harassment.

    Settlement Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by California Civil Rights Department

  3. Bobby Kotick to leave Activision Blizzard after Microsoft takeover

    Microsoft confirmed CEO Bobby Kotick would depart on Dec. 29, 2023, following its acquisition of the company.

    Policy change Activision BlizzardUnited States, CaliforniaReported by Press Start