Ex-Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Unintentionally Criticizes Geometry Wars

There’s a video making the rounds today featuring Bobby Kotick, the former CEO of Activision Blizzard—often seen as the controversial figure in gaming circles. In this footage from a podcast by venture capital firm Kleiner Perkins, with former EA exec Bing Gordon, Kotick talks about a botched acquisition, yet struggles to recall the specifics. He mentions, “We actually had a bad acquisition. The company that was, um… in Manchester, that did the driving game for Xbox, and it was called, um…”

If you’re curious, you can see the clip around the 8-minute mark. It’s a bit awkward, to say the least. But hey, when I hit [checks Wikipedia] 62, I might not clearly recall things I did at 44 either—which is approximately my current age, and let’s just say it’s giving me some existential thoughts. Will I remember writing this piece? Who knows. However, I definitely won’t forget Bizarre Creations’ iconic game—one that’s still a family favorite in my household.

No, I’m not referring to Blur—shout out to those dedicated Blur enthusiasts—or to “the driving game for Xbox.” Big props to Project Gotham Racing fans, but I’m actually talking about Geometry Wars. The game made a significant mark as a console experience on Microsoft’s powerful second Xbox and arguably stood out as the best launch title for the Xbox 360.

Originally a hidden gem within Project Gotham Racing 2 on the Xbox, Geometry Wars is a straightforward twin-stick shooter: maneuver with the left stick, shoot with the right. Simple as that! During my early days in gaming journalism with Joystiq (a moment of silence for their soul), I covered the Xbox 360 launch in the lead-up to its November 2005 debut, and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved—its HD Xbox Live Arcade version—left quite an impression. I remember writing, “If [Project Gotham Racing 3] isn’t the star of the 360 launch, then surely Bizarre’s other creation is!”

In the weeks that ensued, my Joystiq colleagues and I watched the global leaderboards with a mix of awe and disbelief. How on earth did they score that? The charm of a retro game showcased on a high-definition console connected to the internet was just a hint of what the future held for gaming, but it was a powerful preview. We monitored top scores (congratulations to Striker and xTHeDoGgx) and engaged in friendly competition with each other on the leaderboards.

Today, Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved holds its own on the Steam Deck, where quick gaming sessions lead to some intense father-son rivalry, proving how well the game’s formula has stood the test of time—nearly two decades later. So even if you can’t remember the studio or its hometown—by the way, it’s Liverpool—Geometry Wars is worth remembering. Activision shut down Bizarre Creations in 2011, following the release of Blur, yet parts of the team reformed as Lucid Games. They launched Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions in 2014, marking the franchise’s debut on PlayStation.

And if you’ve never played it, there’s good news! You can still snag the original on the Xbox store for the same $4.99 price tag from 2005, or find it on Steam for just $1.99—that’s cheaper than a cup of gas station coffee! If you prefer using a PlayStation, Geometry Wars 3 is available for $14.99, which is just about the cost of a fancy coffee these days (don’t quote me on that).

I’m curious if others share my nostalgia for this game; feel free to share your thoughts below. See you on the leaderboards! 👀