Co-Founder Mike Morhaime Leaves Blizzard After 28 Years

Activision Blizzard announced in a statement to shareholders that Mike Morhaime is leaving developer Blizzard. Morhaime stepped down as director of Blizzard in October and will soon retire as a consultant.

At last Blizzcon, the annual fan party that developer Blizzard hosts, Mike Morhaime announced that he had stepped down as president of the company he helped found in 1991. His role had since been taken over by J Allen Brack, former head of the team that makes World of Warcraft. During his speech at Blizzcon, Morhaime announced that he would remain involved with Blizzard as a consultant. However, that position will soon expire. In an SEC filing, a periodic report that listed companies must submit to the US Securities and Exchange Commission, it is announced that his advisory position will end on April 7. The SEC filing is brief: a reason for Morhaime’s departure is not stated.

It is a troubled period for Activision Blizzard. Morhaime’s departure is not the only change in the company’s leadership. Earlier this year, the company lost two financial executives. Spencer Neumann, the CFO of the joint holding company, left first, followed by Amrita Ahuja from the Blizzard branch. At the same time, the company announces that Rob Kostich has been promoted to director of the holding company. Kostich has been with the company for 15 years and is best known as head of the branch responsible for Call of Duty, one of the publisher’s most successful series.

Earlier today it was announced that Activision has broken the agreement with developer Bungie, which means that the studio will now publish the Destiny games itself.