The Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences announced today that Activision CEO Bobby Kotick will provide the keynote speech at the D.I.C.E. (Design, Innovate, Communicate, Entertain) summit on February 18.
Kotick is a sometimes controversial figure in gaming, as much for his outspoken style for his take-no-prisoners corporate strategies, so it should be an interesting speech.
“Bobby Kotick has believed in the power of interactive entertainment his entire career,” said Joseph Olin, president of the AIAS. "Activision Blizzard is home to some of the most talented developers in our industry and we are thrilled to have Bobby's insight on how great games are built upon great talent."
The insider-gaming industry has often taken Kotick to task for his statements (IE: "The goal that I had in bringing a lot of the packaged goods folks into Activision about 10 years ago was to take all the fun out of making video games."), but the mainstream business world regards Kotick with admiration. He took a bankrupt company, Activision, and turned it into the most successful video game publishing company on earth. Sure, that involved publishing a lot of sequels, but it's hard, if not impossible, to argue with the guy's results. Where other companies seem to be having a very hard time lately, Activision/Blizzard is doing amazingly well.
What do you think about Kotick, Activision and the D.I.C.E. choice?
In any case, we'll be at D.I.C.E., bringing you all the news that's fit to post about the event.
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Comments
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koto saku
Cant stand the man would have preferred Cliffy B, maybe Falizek, or Riccitelo.(two c's?)
Elite7x
No gamer likes him, but I guess if you were a game dev. you would want to be him.
I would rather someone like Gabe Newell, Chris Metzen, or someone the gaming community actually likes.
jellokatamari
Well, I really hate the guy..... but I am curious to see what he'll say, I just won't hold my breath. From a gaming fan point of view, it's a bit disapointing going from Gabe Newell to Kotick.
Wozman23
I think you guys have a typo there. With Kotick speaking the summit is clearly called D.I.C.K.
SG_17
I didn't know that they allowed the Anti-Christ to speak at these events.
TD_ThA_MoNsTa
Speaking from a gaming sense, wwwwhhhhhyyyyy!!!!!???? But you gotta admire the guy from the business aspect. Still, I think there could've been better choices, but as long as Kotick doesn't put his foot in his mouth as he's done in the past, then it should be all right.
Kallazar
Sure, in a business sense, he great. But I don't feel he believes in the "power" of viedo games as much as their potential to generate revenue. If they wanted someone to spaek about market actions, he might be a good fit. But as far as giving "insight on how great games are built upon great talent," wrong choice.
IcemanMX
As someone who owns Activision/Blizzard stocks, I like the guy for increasing my net worth by a few bucks. As I gamer, I absolutely loathe Bobby Kocklick (I like my spelling better) with the most venomous, darkest, putrid, vile disgust that can ever emanate from a human or gopher that gets confused for a prarie dog.
Damn you, voices in my head!
-M
DreamingDarklyRobin
You might hate the guy but he managed to bring Activision back from near-bankruptcy.
Displaying 1–9 of 9