Blizzard Leisure has introduced that it has appointed former Name of Responsibility common supervisor Johanna Faries as its new president, following the latest departure of Mike Ybarra. Johana Faries has been with the Activision Blizzard for over 5 years and has served because the Name of Responsibility common supervisor since 2021. Microsoft not too long ago introduced that it’s shedding 1,900 workers at Activision Blizzard and Xbox. Activision Blizzard might be impacted essentially 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 complete assertion concerning the appointment from Faries in an organization broad e-mail may be seen under:
Pricey Blizzard,
Although my official first day with you all is February 5, I need to let you recognize instantly that it’s an honor to affix you subsequent week on this new capability. I accomplish that humbly and in awe of all that Blizzard has stood for and delivered to the world for over thirty years. Immediately additionally brings some combined feelings. The lack of gifted teammates in latest 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 need to thank Matt for the introduction, carry some additional readability to right now’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 carry up a variety of reactions, questions, even considerations.
Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly totally different corporations with distinct video games, cultures, and communities. It is very important word that Name of Responsibility’s method 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 staff and I’m strolling into this position with sensitivity to these dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we start to discover taking our universes to even larger 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 capability to serve our present and future participant communities, and to additional amplify the shared ardour for greatness, polish, and artistic mastery that may be a hallmark of Blizzard’s strategy to game-making.
Subsequent week, I might be in Irvine and I’m keen to attach with as lots of you as attainable. I might be scheduling casual (and completely optionally available) meet-and-greets, the place I need to hear extra from individuals throughout the group. These of you who can not make it to these gatherings or aren’t positioned 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.
Just a few private information about me: my #1 job in life is elevating two wonderful boys. Along with parenthood, a typical week for me contains discovering time for day by day yoga and prayer, and naturally, taking part in 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 position 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 brilliant future collectively. Collectively, could we forge many legendary days forward.
Johanna
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