Blizzard Leisure has introduced that it has appointed former Name of Obligation basic supervisor Johanna Faires as its new president, following the current departure of Mike Ybarra. Johana Faires has been with the Activision Blizzard for over 5 years and has served because the Name of Obligation basic supervisor since 2021. Microsoft lately introduced that it’s shedding 1,900 workers at Activision Blizzard and Xbox. Activision Blizzard shall be impacted probably the most by the layoffs with the remainder affecting Xbox and Zenimax. Moreover, Blizzard president Mike Ybarra introduced that he’s leaving the corporate after greater than twenty years within the firm together with Blizzard chief design officer Allen Adham.
The total assertion relating to the appointment from Faries in an organization huge e mail could be seen under:
Expensive Blizzard,
Although my official first day with you all is February 5, I wish to let you recognize instantly that it’s an honor to affix you subsequent week on this new capability. I achieve this humbly and in awe of all that Blizzard has stood for and delivered to the world for over thirty years. At present additionally brings some combined feelings. The lack of proficient teammates in current days is difficult to carry side-by-side with the immense pleasure I really feel about becoming a member of Blizzard—and constructing on the momentum you’ve created for Blizzard’s subsequent chapter.
I wish to thank Matt for the introduction, deliver some additional readability to immediately’s announcement, and share extra about how I see our future collectively at Blizzard. I perceive it is a lot to absorb. The information of my appointment could little doubt deliver up a variety of reactions, questions, even issues.
Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly totally different corporations with distinct video games, cultures, and communities. It is very important word that Name of Obligation’s approach of waking up within the morning to ship for gamers can usually differ from the gorgeous video games in Blizzard’s realm: every with totally different gameplay experiences, communities that encompass them, and requisite fashions of success. I’ve mentioned this with the Blizzard management group and I’m strolling into this function with sensitivity to these dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we start to discover taking our universes to even greater heights.
I’m dedicated to doing all the pieces I can to assist Blizzard thrive, with care and consideration for you and for our video games, every distinctive and particular in their very own proper. I’m optimistic about our capacity to serve our present and future participant communities, and to additional amplify the shared ardour for greatness, polish, and inventive mastery that could be a hallmark of Blizzard’s method to game-making.
Subsequent week, I shall be in Irvine and I’m keen to attach with as lots of you as doable. I shall be scheduling casual (and completely elective) meet-and-greets, the place I wish to hear extra from folks throughout the group. These of you who can not make it to these gatherings or aren’t situated in Irvine, please be happy to e mail me. We’re additionally planning a city corridor assembly to be held within the close to future.
A number of private information about me: my #1 job in life is elevating two superb boys. Along with parenthood, a typical week for me contains discovering time for each day yoga and prayer, and naturally, enjoying video video games (huge Diablo IV fan over right here!). All through, the enjoyment I discover in video games – and dealing with those that make them—solely deepens.
I stay impressed by Blizzard’s iconic legacy, and the transformative function gaming has performed in my life and within the lives of others. I can not wait to get going—to hear, to study, to empower, and to collaborate with all of you on our daring and vibrant future collectively. Collectively, could we forge many legendary days forward.
Johanna
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