Disgruntled Blizzard Employees And Ex-Employees Share Stories, Salaries

Jason Winter
By Jason Winter, News Editor Posted:
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The morale at Blizzard is heading downward in a hurry, following several anecdotes from employees over the past week. Actually, maybe "in a hurry" isn't entirely accurate; things started going downhill following the layoffs in early 2019 after Activision-Blizzard had a record quarter. Matters have only been exacerbated since, following the Blitzchung incident and its messy and poorly handled aftermath, to the point that investors are calling for a reduction in CEO Bobby Kotick's compensation. So yeah, maybe things have been heading south for a while now.

The latest shot across the bow came when a number of Blizzard employees shared their salary data with one another to highlight the inequity in pay and recent raises. Some employees have had to skip meals or pack bag lunches to avoid the costs of the company cafeteria, while another said that they and their spouse wouldn't be able to afford having children.

Now, even more accusations are coming to light. One former employee said that, in lieu of proper cost-of-living raises, employees received "game keys and swag," including 25 years' worth of paid subscription time. Others were demeaned as being "easily replaceable" and told that they should be "thankful to still have a job." Even Daybreak Game Company looked good in comparison, which should tell you something.

All in all, it's not a good look for the company, but, as we've said before, will it really matter to the bottom line? That hasn't been the case in the short term, but as talented individuals either leave the company or choose to not go there, it could have significant effects down the road. None of that likely matters to people like Kotick, who's more than financially secure for life. Other senior developers who make good -- if not counted in the millions -- money are probably also content. But it wouldn't be surprising to see more delays or faulty products hit the market as the rank and file grow increasingly disgruntled or abandon the company altogether.

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In this article: Blizzard, Activision.

About the Author

Jason Winter
Jason Winter, News Editor

Jason Winter is a veteran gaming journalist, he brings a wide range of experience to MMOBomb, including two years with Beckett Media where he served as the editor of the leading gaming magazine Massive Online Gamer. He has also written professionally for several gaming websites.

More Stories by Jason Winter

Discussion (2)

John Dunham 3 years ago
Really? Making $100k a year is something to whine about? It's interesting these articles across the internet never post what the complaining employees actually make. They *should* be happy to have that job and they *are* replaceable - anyone is. That's reality. This entire generation of whining, complaining, cancelling fools is going to end up with nothing at all and have only themselves to blame.

kestas32 3 years ago
They have made their bed and one more thing. Yes he is set for life if people don't start suing for mistreatment and braking common human rights. The statement you are easily replaceable and should be happy to have a job can be seen as braking basic human right to dignity.


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