[5] While Kotick was still a student in 1983 at the University of Michigan, he started a software company called Arktronics with friend Howard Marks in their dorm room.

[5] At Activision, Kotick set out to build "an institutional quality, well-managed company with a focus on the independent developer.

[14] Kotick has used Activision Blizzard's industry position to push partners for changes that he maintains would benefit the gaming community.

In July 2009, Kotick threatened to stop making games for the PlayStation 3 platform if Sony did not cut the price of the console.

[17] Kotick expanded Activision Blizzard’s mobile presence in 2016 when it acquired King, the creator of Candy Crush.

"[20][21][22] In November 2022, under Kotick's leadership, the release of Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II broke record sales for the franchise after crossing the $1 billion mark in ten days.

Kotick then became involved in litigation with the law firm selected to defend him, Gordon, and Cove Management, in a dispute over legal fees.

[25][24] In July 2021, the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) announced it had filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard due to allegations of workplace misconduct and discrimination by several employees.

[26] In October 2021, Kotick asked the Activision Blizzard board to cut his salary to the lowest amount allowed by California law, and to not to receive any bonuses or be granted any equity amid lawsuits against the company.

[27] In November 2021, an article from The Wall Street Journal asserted that Kotick had been aware of the past allegations, and had protected an employee who sexually harassed from being fired.

[28] In response to the allegations, Activision's Board itself examined the claims made and retained an outside law firm and other advisors, including Gilbert F. Casellas, the former head of the U.S.

"[40] In January 2022, Microsoft announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, making it the largest video game company acquisition.

[41][42][43][44] Following the completion of the acquisition, Kotick remained with Activision Blizzard to assist with the transition until he retired from the company on December 29, 2023.

[45] Kotick is a non-executive director for The Coca-Cola Company and a board member at the Center for Early Education and the Los Angeles County Museum of Art.

[51] In February 2019, the non-profit organization As You Sow ranked Kotick 45th in a list of the 100 most over-paid chief executive officers of the United States.

[52] A 180% increase in Activision Blizzard's share price since March 2016 triggered an incentive bonus in Kotick's 2016 contract.

[12] He has focused on developing intellectual property which can be, in his words, "exploited" over a long period, to the exclusion of new titles which cannot guarantee sequels.

[55][56] During the 2009 Deutsche Bank Securities Technology Conference, Kotick stated that "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.

[73] The endowment helps soldiers transition to civilian careers after their military service by funding nonprofit organizations.