Bobby Kotick

Robert “Bobby” Kotick is an American businessman who served as chief executive of Activision and, after its 2008 merger with Vivendi Games, of Activision Blizzard. He led the company from 1991 until his retirement on December 29, 2023, following Microsoft’s acquisition of Activision Blizzard.

Kotick’s name appears in materials released from the Epstein files. The released files document that Epstein invited Kotick to events with “the girls,” and asked Kotick in May 2013 about adding microtransactions to Activision’s game series Call of Duty. Reporting by GameSpot’s Phil Hornshaw, published February 11, 2026, describes specific emails: an April 29, 2012 exchange (“Drinks tomorrow my house 530?” / “Can we meet at 6? I am running late.”), and a later message from Epstein (“great house, great art, i am in ny 1-6 if you have time when you come.”) to which Kotick replied, “Thanks. Great guests. See you in NYC.” The same reporting quotes Kotick responding to Epstein’s ideas about educational gaming with, “X prize is a good idea but key is real world rewards. Learn to read: earn cell phone minutes, iphone credits, virtual items in games.” The reporting also references a futurist named Pablos Holman in a forwarded thread, and a separate 2018 suggestion that Epstein buy Activision Blizzard stock.

Kotick has responded through his attorney. As quoted in an App Trigger retraction, his legal representative stated, “Mr. Kotick never had any discussion with Epstein about Call of Duty or any Activision game or business,” characterizing the May 2013 reply as “a terse but polite response to an email from Epstein about interactive education,” and adding that Kotick “does not know and has never met” Pablos Holman. App Trigger retracted its earlier February 6, 2026 story, disclaiming any implication that Kotick supported “indoctrinating kids into an economy” or that Epstein influenced the introduction of microtransactions in gaming.

Is Bobby Kotick in the Epstein files?

Yes. Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard, is named in materials released from the Epstein files, which include email correspondence between him and Jeffrey Epstein dating to 2012 and 2013, according to reporting by GameSpot. Being named in these documents is not evidence of any crime or wrongdoing. Kotick’s attorney has said he never discussed any Activision business with Epstein, and one outlet that initially tied him to commercial microtransaction strategy later retracted that characterization.

Documents

Primary-source records that reference Bobby Kotick. Inclusion in these documents is not, by itself, evidence of wrongdoing; Kotick’s attorney says he never discussed any Activision business with Epstein.

• DOJ Epstein Files (EFTA release) — The emails between Kotick and Epstein are part of the Justice Department’s Epstein Files Transparency Act disclosure (released in early 2026). As reported by GameSpot, more than a dozen emails dated 2012 and 2013 show the two arranging to meet; Kotick’s attorney has said he never discussed Activision business with Epstein and does not know one of the other people referenced in the exchanges.