Former Call of Duty Boss Johanna Faries Announced as New Blizzard Entertainment President

"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,' Faries says.

Posted By | On 30th, Jan. 2024

Blizzard

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.


Amazing Articles You Might Want To Check Out!

Share Your Thoughts Below  (Always follow our comments policy!)



Keep On Reading!

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and More See Sales Boosts in Europe Following The Game Awards Nominations

Final Fantasy 7 Rebirth, Metaphor: ReFantazio, and More See Sales Boosts in Europe Following The Game Awards Nominations

Astro Bot, Elden Ring: Shadow of the Erdtree, and Silent Hill 2's remake also saw week-on-week increases in sa...

The Thing: Remastered is Seemingly Shadow-Dropping on December 5

The Thing: Remastered is Seemingly Shadow-Dropping on December 5

Nightdive Studios' survival horror remaster is officially due out in 2024 for PlayStation, Xbox, Switch, and P...

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Launch Trailer Arrives on December 2

Indiana Jones and the Great Circle Launch Trailer Arrives on December 2

The first-person action-adventure title will release a week afterward, on December 9, for Xbox Series X/S and ...

No Man’s Sky Isn’t “Even Close” to Finished, Says Hello Games

No Man’s Sky Isn’t “Even Close” to Finished, Says Hello Games

Engine programmer Martin Griffiths reflects on the game reaching a "Very Positive" rating on Steam eight years...

The Thing: Remastered Features Over 1500 Code Changes, Less Punishing Difficulty

The Thing: Remastered Features Over 1500 Code Changes, Less Punishing Difficulty

Nightdive Studios' remaster of the 2002 classic has made the HP system "more forgiving" alongside adding more ...

The Witcher 4 Will be Unveiled Much Closer to Release, CDPR Reiterates

The Witcher 4 Will be Unveiled Much Closer to Release, CDPR Reiterates

However, crumbs and tidbits related to the game may (and likely will) be shared prior to its official announce...