Activision Blizzard, which drew in USD 8.09 billion in revenue for the year ended December 31, 2020, has fired 50 employees earlier today. The reason? COVID-19. The company cites the COVID-19 pandemic’s effects on both the viability of live productions for its esports leagues and the changing viewership habits of its core audience over the past year. More from the source.
While live events are certainly restricted during this new normal, I find it perplexing that a company the scale of Activision Blizzard find it tough to re-assign these employees to other positions within the organization, given their ready knowledge about the company and its operations. That and a small salary cut will certainly go a long way rather than an immediate firing.
The laid off employees will apparently receive three months’ severance, health benefits for the next 12 months, and $200 gift card to Activision Blizzard’s Battle.net PC platform. $200 gift card for them to spend on games while looking for new jobs? Brilliant move, Activision Blizzard. And fuck you, Bobby Kotick.
