Activision Hires James Corden For All-Hands Meeting Where Bobby Kotick Discusses AI, Elon Musk, And Guitar Hero – Report

With Microsoft’s blockbuster $68.7 billion deal to acquire Activision Blizzard reportedly looking to close this Friday, October 13, the Call of Duty company reportedly held an all-hands meeting this week where CEO Bobby Kotick discussed his vision for the future of video games. According to Windows Central, Activision Blizzard hired late night TV host and actor James Corden to host.

As reported by Windows Central, Kotick–who is expected to leave Activision Blizzard if the deal closes–discussed his company’s legacy from its independent early days to becoming the behemoth that it is today.

Discussing the future, Kotick reportedly said Elon Musk’s Neuralink–which is an implantable brain-computer interface–could be a way to create “more visceral” content than what’s currently available. In the future, people might be able to play games without a controller by way of Neuralink, or an earpiece or headset of some type, Kotick is reported to have said.

He also supposedly said AI and machine learning might play major roles in the video game business going forward. “We have characters on the screen and video games who with mouth movements and facial animation that is realistic–you’re going to have a new dimension of emotional connection that we’ve not yet mastered,” Kotick is reported to have said.

Microsoft is heavily invested in AI already, and plans to use AI for everything it makes going forward, and Kotick said he sees “unlimited potential” for how games could grow should Microsoft complete its buyout of Activision Blizzard.

Also during the town hall meeting, Kotick is reported to have said that Activision’s Guitar Hero franchise could have a “re-emergence” in the future, though there are no specific plans just yet. Kotick has been talking for a while now about Guitar Hero coming back under Microsoft.

As mentioned, reports have suggested that Microsoft’s deal to buy Activision Blizzard could be finalized on October 13. The deal was originally announced in January 2022, so it’s been a long time coming. Keep checking back with GameSpot for the latest.

As part of the legal proceedings, a trove of Xbox emails and internal documents emerged accidentally, providing an unprecedented–if outdated–look at Microsoft’s future gaming plans.