Bobby Kotick, Former CEO of Activision Blizzard, Appears 300 Times in Epstein’s Emails

by Jonathan Dubinski February 11, 2026

written by Jonathan Dubinski February 11, 2026

Key Takeaways

Created with AI - we're still experimenting, so apologies if it misses the mark

Jeffrey Epstein, the financier accused of human trafficking and sex crimes, had discussions with Bobby Kotick, former CEO of Activision Blizzard, about video game monetization strategies.
These discussions, which took place in 2012 and 2013, focused on boosting player engagement and revenue through digital rewards and virtual items, coinciding with Activision Blizzards initial testing of paid models in their games.
No direct involvement by Epstein in game development was found in the archives, but there is concern about Activisions increasing focus on monetization due to these revelations.
In addition to his interactions with figures in the gaming industry, Jeffrey Epstein was banned from Xbox Live for severely harassing other players with threats and abuse in 2013.

Newly released emails from the U.S. government reveal that Jeffrey Epstein, the deceased financier accused of human trafficking and sex crimes, discussed video game monetization strategies with advisors such as futurist Pablo Holman and former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. The emails, dating back to 2012 and 2013, explore strategies to boost player engagement and revenue through digital rewards and virtual items, coinciding with Activision Blizzard’s initial testing of paid models in their games. Kotick’s name appears over 300 times in Epstein’s files, including invitations, messages, and references. In a 2012 email, Epstein invited Kotick to his private island, which Kotick declined due to scheduling conflicts. However, in a May 2013 email, Kotick responded with “Let me know the time” when Epstein mentioned meeting Elon Musk at SpaceX with “the girls” before heading to Bel Air.

Monetization Talks Between Kotick and Epstein Spark Concern Over Activision’s Focus and Gaming Industry Interactions

The archives show no direct involvement by Epstein in game development, yet they have spurred discussion about Activision’s increasing focus on monetization. Kotick and Epstein discussed digital revenue strategies, with Kotick suggesting real-world rewards like phone credits as preferable to the X Prize. Holman also suggested using digital items to educate children about finance. There is no indication that these discussions translated into official policy, nor has any evidence surfaced to suggest these conversations led to plans to exploit minors. These revelations gain further significance in light of past accusations regarding Kotick’s conduct during his time as CEO of Activision Blizzard. Separately, in 2013, Microsoft and the New York Attorney General banned Jeffrey Epstein from Xbox Live for severely harassing other players with threats and abuse. Details are available in these U.S. Department of Justice documents: [https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01762201.pdf](https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01762201.pdf), [https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01656139.pdf](https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01656139.pdf), [https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01974631.pdf](https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01974631.pdf), [https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/209efta00695633.pdf](https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/209efta00695633.pdf), [https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01765212.pdf](https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01765212.pdf), and [https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01787930.pdf](https://www.justice.gov/epstein/files/dataset/2010efta01787930.pdf). The released emails and documented Xbox ban highlight Jeffrey Epstein’s interactions with figures in the gaming industry and his documented abusive online behavior.