Microsoft recently announced that it was laying off 1,900 employees across its entire gaming division, and alongside that came the news that Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Ybarra was also leaving the company.
Blizzard has now announced his replacement, officially confirming Johanna Faries as its new president. Faries, who’s set to take over the role on February 5, will step away from her previous role as the GM of Call of Duty at Activision. Prior to that, she spent roughly three years leading the Call of Duty esports division, and before that, she had a twelve-year stint at the NFL across a number of executive roles.
“Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures, and communities,” Faries wrote. “It is important to note that Call of Duty’s way of waking up in the morning to deliver for players can often differ from the stunning games in Blizzard’s realm: each with different gameplay experiences, communities that surround them, and requisite models of success. I’ve discussed this with the Blizzard leadership team and I’m walking into this role with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we begin to explore taking our universes to even higher heights.
“I am committed to doing everything I can to help Blizzard thrive, with care and consideration for you and for our games, each unique and special in their own right. I’m optimistic about our ability to serve our current and future player communities, and to further amplify the shared passion for greatness, polish, and creative mastery that is a hallmark of Blizzard’s approach to game-making.”
Blizzard Entertainment is one of several companies to have been impacted by Microsoft’s mass layoffs. Alongside job cuts, the studio has also cancelled Odyssey, its survival game, which was in development for six years. Reportedly, behind-the-scenes technical issues with the engine also led to the project’s cancellation.
