Former Activision Blizzard Boss Bobby Kotick Slams Warcraft Film, Calls It 'One of the Worst Movies I've Ever Seen'

Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick slammed Universal's 2016 Warcraft adaptation, calling it "one of the worst movies I've ever seen" in a candid interview with Grit. Kotick, who led Activision Blizzard for 32 years before stepping down in December 2023, attributed the film's production to significant issues within Blizzard's development of World of Warcraft. He cited the movie as a major distraction, contributing to the departure of veteran designer Chris Metzen in 2016.

Kotick described Metzen as "the heart and soul of creativity" at the company. He explained that the Warcraft film, a pre-existing deal Activision inherited, consumed substantial resources and diverted developers' attention from game development. This led to delays in World of Warcraft expansions and patches. He stated that the film's production pulled developers away from their core responsibilities, impacting development timelines and overall quality.

While the Warcraft film underperformed in North America, grossing only $47 million domestically, its international success, particularly in China, resulted in a worldwide total of $439 million. Despite this, the film was considered a financial failure due to its massive budget. Director Duncan Jones later revealed plans for a cancelled trilogy, which would have focused on Durotan's quest for a new home for his people.

Kotick revealed that Metzen, deeply affected by the film's production, left to found a board game company. Kotick attempted to persuade Metzen to return, even begging him to consult on future World of Warcraft projects. However, Metzen expressed dissatisfaction with plans for subsequent expansions, advocating for a complete overhaul. Kotick admitted to limited subsequent interaction with Metzen, preferring to let him work independently. He concluded by expressing confidence in the quality of the latest expansion, stating it was "excellent," and anticipating the next to be equally successful. This latest expansion received a 9/10 rating in our World of Warcraft: The War Within review, praised for revitalizing the two-decade-old MMO.