Ex-Activision CEO Bobby Kotick Unintentionally Criticizes Geometry Wars

There’s a video clip causing quite the stir today, featuring Bobby Kotick, the former Activision Blizzard CEO and somewhat of a notorious figure in the gaming world. On a venture capital podcast hosted by Kleiner Perkins and co-starring former EA executive Bing Gordon, Kotick reminisces about an acquisition gone wrong, struggling to recall the details. He admits, “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…”

You can catch the entire segment around the 8-minute mark of the video. It’s not exactly the most polished moment. But, to be fair, when I’m [verifying age] 62, I might also forget some things I did at [double-checks age] 44 — which is roughly my age now — and that thought is a little unsettling. Will I remember penning this article? Maybe not. But what I won’t forget is Bizarre Creations’ masterpiece — a game still cherished by my family today.

No, I’m not talking about Blur — much love to the Blur fans — nor am I referring to “the driving game for Xbox,” though kudos to Project Gotham Racing enthusiasts as well. I’m actually talking about Geometry Wars, a title that paved the way for a new breed of console games during Microsoft’s ambitious era, rightfully becoming one of the Xbox 360’s standout launch titles.

Appearing first as a bonus within Project Gotham Racing 2 on the original Xbox, Geometry Wars epitomizes simplicity and fun in a twin-stick shooter format: the left stick maneuvers the ship, while the right stick lets you fire away. Back in the early days of my career in video game journalism (RIP Joystiq), I covered the buzz around the Xbox 360 release ahead of its grand unveiling in November 2005. Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved, the high-def Xbox Live Arcade version, was an immediate standout. Here’s a snippet from my notes back then: “If [Project Gotham Racing 3] isn’t stealing the spotlight at the 360 launch, Bizarre’s secondary offering most certainly is!”

In the ensuing weeks and months, my fellow Joystiq colleagues and I followed the global leaderboards with a mix of awe and disbelief. They achieved what score? The novelty of enjoying such a retro-inspired game on a high-definition platform with integrated online functionality hinted at the monumental shifts coming in gaming. We eagerly reported on soaring high scores (hat tip to Striker and xTHeDoGgx) and engaged in friendly clashes on the leaderboards.

Fast forward to today, and Geometry Wars: Retro Evolved is still a beloved choice on our Steam Deck, where quick sessions and a touch of father-son rivalry continue to highlight just how enduring the game’s formula remains, even after nearly two decades. So, even if the studio’s name or its city base slips your mind — it was Liverpool indeed — don’t forget Geometry Wars. Though Activision shuttered Bizarre Creations in 2011 after Blur’s debut, remnants of the team reunited at Lucid Games, ultimately reviving the series with Geometry Wars 3: Dimensions in 2014, marking a first for PlayStation.

And if you haven’t had the chance to play it, here’s some good news! The original is still available on the Xbox store for the 2005 price of $4.99, or you can snag it on Steam for a mere $1.99 — cheaper than a quick stop at the coffee shop! Prefer PlayStation? You can grab Geometry Wars 3 for $14.99, which is about what you’d pay for a premium coffee these days (don’t quote me on that).

I’m eager to hear if any of you hold the same fondness for this game as I do; drop your thoughts below. Catch you on the leaderboards! 👀