Phil Spencer said he and the gaming leadership team are "disturbed and deeply troubled by the horrific events and actions" at Activision Blizzard.

He referred to the Wall Street Journal story earlier this week that said Chief Executive Officer Bobby Kotick knew of sexual harassment at the company for years and that he mistreated women.

"This type of behaviour has no place in our industry", Spencer wrote. He joins a swell of outcries from employees to investors and shareholders in demanding a stronger response from the US's second-biggest gaming publisher.

Sony Group's PlayStation Chief Jim Ryan sent a similar note to staff, writing that he and his leadership were "disheartened and frankly stunned to read has not done enough to address a deep-seated culture of discrimination and harassment".