In a move that could significantly impact Kotaku and its parent company, G/O Media, former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick has filed a defamation lawsuit alleging deliberate misrepresentation by two of the media group’s outlets. Filed in the Superior Court of Delaware, the suit specifically targets Kotaku and Gizmodo, citing coverage that referenced long-withdrawn allegations unrelated to the topic at hand.
Allegations of Misrepresentation
As stated in the legal filing, I, Kotick, assert that both Kotaku and Gizmodo published articles suggesting my possible role in a potential TikTok acquisition. I claim that these publications brought up past allegations against me without just cause, as they had previously been cleared during investigations.
The court case claims that the allegations against Activision Blizzard, previously scrutinized during investigations, were found to be untrue by multiple inquiries. However, these debunked accusations were still featured in news articles. Kotick contends that their inclusion served no journalistic purpose and was instead intended to damage the company’s reputation.
Efforts from Kotick’s representatives to request corrections were reportedly met with minimal action. While Gizmodo removed the word “disgraced” from its original headline and both sites later added brief clarifications, Kotick asserts that the articles continue to mischaracterize the situation. This seems to mirror the situation with YouTuber MrBeast, who was misquoted by Kotaku, leading to massive backlash against him. Kotaku once more simply edited the headline and included a small blurb at the end of the article after it had already been up in its original form for over a week with no formal apology or clarifying social media post.
Legal and Industry Implications
This lawsuit comes amid growing scrutiny of media practices across the gaming and tech journalism sectors. The case highlights ongoing concerns regarding the responsibilities of media outlets when reporting on individuals previously involved in legal disputes, particularly after the resolution of such matters.
Notably, G/O Media has faced similar legal challenges in the past. The company previously owned Deadspin, an outlet that encountered a defamation lawsuit it ultimately lost—leading to significant consequences for the publication.
Background: Activision Blizzard’s Legal Resolution
The prior scrutiny Kotick references dates back to 2021, when the California Civil Rights Department launched an investigation into Activision Blizzard regarding alleged workplace misconduct. The case garnered widespread attention, culminating in a $54 million settlement agreement in late 2023.
The settlement explicitly stated that: “No court or any independent investigation has substantiated any allegations” of systemic workplace misconduct, nor that senior leadership condoned such behavior.
Regarding the recent articles from Kotaku and Gizmodo, Kotick’s lawsuit contends that essential details were overlooked, with the content repeating settled legal claims as an alternative.
Industry Reaction and Broader Impact
As I find myself amidst the unfolding events at G/O Media, it’s clear that my employer is facing a critical juncture. Over the past few months, we’ve experienced a series of layoffs and leadership shifts, with our very own Kotaku witnessing a substantial cutback in personnel. The simultaneous struggle to navigate operational hurdles and engage in legal disputes may potentially threaten the company’s lasting success.
If successful, the lawsuit could set a precedent for how media organizations handle previously resolved legal matters, especially when referencing them in unrelated coverage. It also underscores the growing legal focus on accountability in digital journalism, particularly as outlets face increasing pressure to maintain both accuracy and ethical reporting practices.
As of this writing, neither G/O Media nor Kotaku have issued a public statement in response to the lawsuit.
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2025-03-17 18:00