Bobby Kotick Reportedly Considered Buying Kotaku and PC Gamer

Reports indicate that former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick previously explored the acquisition of major gaming media outlets, specifically Kotaku and PC Gamer. The primary motivation behind this interest was to shift public discourse away from the company’s internal workplace harassment scandals. While the potential acquisition was framed as a strategic move to manage the company's reputation and mitigate critical coverage, the proposal did not materialize. Representatives for Activision Blizzard have disputed the claims, and the outlets involved have not provided official comments.

The confusion surrounding these reports is compounded by historical context, as Kotaku previously published an April Fool’s joke in 2010 titled "Koticku," which satirically claimed the site had been purchased by Activision. This earlier prank has been cited by industry journalists as a point of potential misunderstanding regarding the more recent reports of actual acquisition interest.

Separately, the industry faces ongoing regulatory scrutiny regarding Activision Blizzard’s business practices. In early 2026, the Italian antitrust regulator, Autorità Garante della Concorrenza e del Mercato, launched an investigation into the company’s mobile titles, specifically Diablo Immortal and Call of Duty Mobile. The investigation focuses on the use of "dark patterns" in UI design, aggressive monetization strategies, and the potential manipulation of players regarding in-game currency costs and limited-time offers. Additionally, the regulator is examining the adequacy of parental controls and data privacy consent processes within these mobile games, marking a significant shift toward increased oversight of monetization mechanics in the mobile gaming sector.