The gaming world just got hit with one of the most disturbing revelations imaginable. Newly released Jeffrey Epstein files from the Department of Justice contain emails between the convicted sex offender, former Activision CEO Bobby Kotick, and Microsoft futurist Pablos Holman openly discussing using Call of Duty microtransactions as a method to ‘indoctrinate kids.’ The documents, which surfaced on Reddit’s GamingLeaksAndRumours subreddit, have generated over 3,500 upvotes and hundreds of shocked comments in just days.
According to the files available at justice.gov, the trio discussed strategies for monetizing Call of Duty’s massive young player base. One particularly disturbing exchange shows them brainstorming ways to leverage the game’s reward systems and battle passes to influence children’s spending habits. The language used – especially the term ‘indoctrinate’ – has gamers calling for full transparency from both Activision Blizzard and Microsoft, who acquired the company in 2023.
The Disturbing Email Exchange
The documents reveal conversations dating back to around 2013, after Epstein’s first conviction for sex crimes involving minors. Despite this, he maintained relationships with high-profile business leaders including Bobby Kotick, who was at the peak of his influence over Activision Blizzard. Pablos Holman, known for his work with Intellectual Ventures and early cryptocurrency projects, appears to have been the connection between Epstein’s network and gaming executives.
Reddit users quickly pointed out how these emails align suspiciously well with Call of Duty’s aggressive shift toward microtransactions that began around Black Ops II in 2012 and accelerated dramatically with Blackout battle royale mode in 2018. Fans have long complained about the barrage of skins, blueprints, battle passes, and weapon camos designed specifically to appeal to younger players who beg parents for more spending money.
Timeline of Call of Duty Monetization
| Year | Game | Monetization Introduced |
|---|---|---|
| 2012 | Black Ops II | Microtransactions begin |
| 2015 | Black Ops III | Supply Drops launched |
| 2018 | Black Ops 4 | Blackout Battle Pass |
| 2019 | Modern Warfare | Full battle royale monetization |
| 2023 | MW3 | BlackCell premium passes |
The timing of these monetization shifts corresponds eerily well with the documented Epstein-Kotick communications. Gamers familiar with the franchise timeline immediately connected the dots between these business strategy discussions and the increasingly predatory in-game economies that followed.
Community Outrage Explodes
Reddit reactions range from horrified disbelief to dark conspiracy theories. One top comment with 824 upvotes reads, ‘The fact that Bobby Kotick appears in the documents is probably the least shocking aspect. Still, I support the idea of introducing children to economic concepts. What on earth, Pablos?!’ Others expressed outrage that executives would so casually discuss manipulating children while maintaining ties to someone like Epstein.
Notable comments include references to Epstein being banned from Xbox Live (a fact Microsoft confirmed years ago), connections to cryptocurrency schemes, and speculation about broader industry involvement. The phrase ‘pizza references’ appeared multiple times, tapping into long-standing internet conspiracy culture around Epstein’s network. Gaming content creators on YouTube and Instagram have already produced dozens of reaction videos dissecting the documents.
Bobby Kotick’s Controversial Legacy
This revelation adds yet another dark chapter to Bobby Kotick’s already controversial tenure at Activision Blizzard. The executive faced intense criticism for his handling of sexual harassment scandals that rocked the company from 2021-2023, including allegations that he personally intervened to protect high-performing executives accused of misconduct. California lawsuits claimed Kotick fostered a ‘frat boy’ culture and ignored repeated safety complaints from female employees.
Kotick departed Activision Blizzard shortly after Microsoft’s acquisition closed, reportedly receiving a $200 million golden parachute despite overseeing years of declining employee morale and aggressive cost-cutting measures. The Epstein connection, if verified, represents his most damaging association yet and has gamers demanding full disclosure from current Call of Duty leadership under Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer.
What Happens Next
Microsoft has not yet commented on the Epstein files or Kotick’s involvement. Activision Blizzard’s current leadership faces intense pressure to address whether these discussions influenced Call of Duty’s monetization strategy and what safeguards now protect the franchise from similar executive influence. The documents remain publicly available through the Justice Department website, allowing anyone to verify the claims independently.
Gaming communities across Reddit, Twitter, and Discord continue analyzing additional files for deeper connections. Some researchers have identified overlapping business relationships between Epstein’s network and other major gaming publishers, though nothing as direct as the Kotick emails has surfaced yet. Call of Duty players are also examining current monetization practices through this new lens, questioning whether foundational decisions continue to shape the franchise’s aggressive approach to in-game spending.
FAQs
Are the Epstein-Kotick emails authentic?
Yes, the documents are authentic Justice Department files released as part of the ongoing Epstein investigation. They appear in Dataset 10 (EFTA01762201.pdf, EFTA01905557.pdf) and Dataset 9 (EFTA00634104.pdf), publicly accessible through the official government website. Multiple independent gaming outlets have verified their legitimacy.
What exactly did the emails discuss?
The emails between Epstein, Kotick, and Pablos Holman discussed using Call of Duty’s microtransaction systems and reward mechanics to influence children’s spending behavior. The term ‘indoctrinate kids’ appears in the context of monetization strategy, sparking outrage over the casual language used to describe targeting young players.
Who is Pablos Holman?
Pablos Holman is a futurist and inventor who worked with Intellectual Ventures Lab and contributed to early cryptocurrency development. He’s known for live hacking demonstrations, holds thousands of patents, and has spoken at TED, World Economic Forum, CIA events, and CEO summits. He served as the connection between Epstein and gaming executives.
Has Microsoft responded to these revelations?
As of February 3, 2026, Microsoft Gaming has not issued an official statement regarding the Epstein files or Bobby Kotick’s documented communications. The company previously confirmed Epstein was banned from Xbox Live after discovering his sex offender status.
Did these discussions directly create Call of Duty battle passes?
The timeline suggests correlation but not definitive causation. The emails coincide with Call of Duty’s shift toward heavy microtransaction reliance, particularly around Black Ops II (2012) and Black Ops 4’s Blackout mode (2018). However, proving direct implementation requires deeper forensic analysis of internal documents.
Will this affect current Call of Duty games?
Direct gameplay impact remains unclear. Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in 2023 with new leadership in place. Kotick departed post-acquisition. Current monetization practices continue drawing criticism, but players demand transparency about whether foundational strategies originated from these documented discussions.
Where can I read the original documents?
The files are publicly available through the U.S. Department of Justice Epstein investigation page. Search for Dataset 10 files EFTA01762201.pdf and EFTA01905557.pdf, plus Dataset 9 file EFTA00634104.pdf. Independent gaming news outlets have also archived screenshots and analysis.
Conclusion
These Epstein files represent the most explosive gaming industry revelation in years, shining an uncomfortable light on the origins of Call of Duty’s controversial monetization empire. While conspiracy theories swirl, the documented emails between convicted criminal Jeffrey Epstein and Activision CEO Bobby Kotick speak for themselves. Gamers deserve full transparency about how these discussions shaped industry practices still affecting millions of players today. Microsoft now faces a defining moment – will they address this head-on with concrete reforms, or let silence fuel further speculation? The coming weeks will test whether gaming’s biggest franchises can reckon with their darkest secrets.