Activision shuffles execs, reorganises
Into four divisions. Some job losses in UK.
Activision has reorganised its executive team and split the company into four specific divisions to oversee its portfolio of titles.
Our sister site GamesIndustry.biz also believes that a number of job cuts are currently under way, with UK team members made redundant yesterday.
According to a report by the LA Times, the publisher has split into four units - one dedicated to the Call of Duty franchise, another concentrated on other internal titles such as Tony Hawk and Guitar Hero, a specific third-party team and the Blizzard business.
Activision CEO Mike Griffith has been promoted to vice chairman, following Thomas Tippl's new role as chief operating officer. Tippl will now report directly to Bobby Kotick as well as oversee Blizzard president Mike Morhaime.
The changes have been detailed to staff internally, but the publisher has not gone public with the moves or informed investors.
"This is an important change as it will allow me, with Thomas, to become more deeply involved in areas of the business where I believe we can capture great potential and opportunity," wrote Kotick in a memo to employees.
The reorganisation of the Call of Duty franchise was announced last month following the sacking of Vince Zampella and Jason West from Infinity Ward.
Executive VP Maria Stipp will now oversee all internally developed titles, while Dave Oxford, head of the company's Minneapolis office will take control of licensed projects.
GamesIndustry.biz is waiting for official confirmation of the job losses in the UK, but it's believed marketing and IT departments are affected.