Bobby Kotick remains CEO of Activision Blizzard, as its Board of Directors reiterates its support for the embattled executive.

Activision Blizzard's struggle with the law continues, as calls for the resignation of CEO Bobby Kotick have reached a fever high. More than a thousand Activision Blizzard employees have signed a petition to have Kotick removed from his position, on top of the employees' other calls for a fairer workplace environment. More and more employees have joined this call, as well as thousands of others outside of the company and other entities in the gaming industry, especially after the shocking The Wall Street Journal report that detailed Kotick's incompetent handling of sexual harassment cases within the company.

However, the petition appears to be falling on deaf ears, as Activision Blizzard's Board of Directors rallied behind Bobby Kotick anew. In a press release, the board assured that:

“The Activision Blizzard Board remains committed to the goal of making Activision Blizzard the most welcoming and inclusive company in the industry. Under Bobby Kotick's leadership the Company is already implementing industry leading changes including a zero tolerance harassment policy, a dedication to achieving significant increases to the percentages of women and non-binary people in our workforce and significant internal and external investments to accelerate opportunities for diverse talent. The Board remains confident that Bobby Kotick appropriately addressed workplace issues brought to his attention.

The goals we have set for ourselves are both critical and ambitious. The Board remains confident in Bobby Kotick's leadership, commitment and ability to achieve these goals.”

No one could possibly take Activision's “Workplace Responsibility Committees” as long as Kotick remains in his position as CEO, most especially after the highly-publicized WSJ report. Without Kotick's removal, Activision Blizzard's future remains dim, with the Board appearing to hold on only until their stocks plummet enough before they end up botting Kotick once and for all.

Bobby Kotick told Activision Blizzard officers that he “would consider” leaving if he can't fix the problems quickly, reports the WSJ. It's hard not to feel that this statement is long overdue, and many would argue that Kotick has long been overstaying his welcome. However, Kotick's removal from office would only be one step in achieving a truly fair work environment. A change in leadership will definitely have a big impact, but it goes beyond just replacing a figurehead. Players and employees within the gaming industry should all be involved in making sure that the gaming industry would become less toxic, reducing inappropriate behavior both in real life and online.