Sacred Symbols+, Episode 109: Will Activision-Blizzard Pay the Piper?
Added 2021-08-03 16:01:02 +0000 UTCWe didn't anticipate that we'd revisit this subject so quickly, but the circumstances demand it. Back on Episode #107 of Sacred Symbols+, we invited lawyer, commentator, and Last Stand Media contributor Rick Hoeg to the show to discuss California's pending action against Activision-Blizzard, the largest and most lucrative entity in all of gaming. To understand the fundamentals, we encourage you to listen to that show first. This week, we go into all that's happened since that chat: The walkouts, bustling about unionization, some poorly-worded statements, a very unpopular spokesperson, a disastrous leak from a private Facebook group, some great, questionable, and poor reporting, and on and on. What should we expect moving forward? Is it safe to assume Activision-Blizzard is eager to play ball and avoid discovery? And who should pay the price for such a massive, years-long systemic failure? Could the culpability reach 40-years-and-running CEO Bobby Kotick himself? There's much to delve through, so let's do it.
Comments
I don't know.
Colin Moriarty
2021-08-07 18:01:44 +0000 UTCColin, I am terribly sorry for my previous remarks. Will you acknowledge me and forgive, or should I forever live in shame?
Zibi Majewski
2021-08-07 05:47:40 +0000 UTCIdk, you think the mob gives a crap about the innocent workers? Not until they find out that the actions of the few will have dire consequences will this stop.
Michael Thew
2021-08-04 16:55:50 +0000 UTCThey can't do that to the brand, nor to the thousands of innocent people that work in and around Blizzard. I do think companies can go to other states; I just think you need to be able to convince your talent to come with you, or hope they follow along at some point. In the political world, Daily Wire moved the entire company from California to Tennessee, and it worked because most of the employees were on board and left, too.
Colin Moriarty
2021-08-04 15:37:55 +0000 UTCThank you! It seems pretty darn awful for Activision, but... we want to present things a little more dispassionately, since -- as I said -- you're going to be able to find that 'passion' virtually everywhere else.
Colin Moriarty
2021-08-04 15:36:35 +0000 UTCIf I was activision, I’d shut blizzard down, fire every single employee there. Now these whinny workers have started a coalition, this is nothing but bad news for activision and a coffin nail for blizzard who hasn’t done anything besides wow for the last ten years. These flimsy allegations from a pretty facist state of California and its people will continue unless you put your foot down. I know you don’t think you can move to another state because the talent isn’t there but if all the companies pick up and move and the people that want to make games will move with them. The whole Cosby room situation is another non starter, since when can’t two consenting adult have sex? It’s no difference than a rock band and groupies.
Michael Thew
2021-08-04 14:31:08 +0000 UTCThank you for doing the journalistic thing and getting somebody with legal knowledge to comment on this situation and give an informed background. Yet again you are the outlier vs every other podcast or site that appears to have Activision burnt at the stake based on click bait type tabloid headlines or stories. I'm not saying they are in anyway innocent, but allow the legal process to play out.
Robin Panton
2021-08-04 08:42:54 +0000 UTCI saw that! We'll check back in when appropriate, for sure.
Colin Moriarty
2021-08-04 03:14:00 +0000 UTCIt's crazy that this story is moving so fast that this episode is missing the fact that president of Blizzard stepped down in a timely fashion. Love the work guys. Keep on top of this one. It's interesting seeing how this turns out.
PuppiesOnParade
2021-08-03 20:01:31 +0000 UTCThat would be fun. Thank you!
Colin Moriarty
2021-08-03 18:40:46 +0000 UTCThank you. <3
Colin Moriarty
2021-08-03 18:40:40 +0000 UTCWe have our legal analyst!
Colin Moriarty
2021-08-03 18:40:37 +0000 UTCI saw!
Colin Moriarty
2021-08-03 18:40:27 +0000 UTCIt's been two episodes.
Colin Moriarty
2021-08-03 18:40:13 +0000 UTCCan we get a Hoeg/Sacred crossover tee or hoodie? It’s cool to see Rick on video, such a handsome man, my wife’s only a little jealous of my feelings for him. ;) Lastly gotta say, as a Patron I love that you make the important episodes free for everyone.
BlindRiot
2021-08-03 17:55:21 +0000 UTCDidn't he botch Vic Mignogna's defamation case against Funimation?
JD
2021-08-03 17:55:13 +0000 UTCA lot of eps about this one topic
beeperbeeper5
2021-08-03 16:44:10 +0000 UTCBlizzard CEO J Allen brack just stepped down.
Demon L
2021-08-03 16:38:09 +0000 UTCHope you invite Nick Rekeita sometime; I don't think this case is his specialty, but he has some pretty useful legal insight, and he's pretty funny.
Dan Sing Izzy Rae Lee
2021-08-03 16:35:51 +0000 UTCThe quick follow up is much appreciated. Curious to hear if your guys' thoughts predict the change in leadership we see with Blizzard this morning leading into their earnings call later today
Kendrick Luckenbach
2021-08-03 16:03:47 +0000 UTC
