Mike Ybarra, the previous president of Blizzard Entertainment, has left the company last week along with the massive Microsoft layoffs. Today we learned the name of the new Blizzard president – it’s Johanna Faries.
She has a lot of experience, although not at Blizzard itself. She spent the last few years working on Call of Duty, ultimately becoming the franchise’s general manager. This might make the appointment a bit controversial among Blizzard fans (because most of them don’t want their favorite franchises to become more alike to Call of Duty), and she knows that very well herself, addressing it in her first internal message.
Faires starts her first day on February 5, but she made a brief comment on Twitter about her new position:
Hi all. Today I sent the below note to @Blizzard_Ent. As for X: I play to stay in “listen mode” here, but trust I’m tuned in! As for me: a typical day=work life+yogi life+games life. Currently on heavy rotation: D4, COD, BG3. Feeling blessed & grateful????????Onward. ✨ pic.twitter.com/Ph8XgsTcpk
— Johanna Faries (@Joh_Burg) January 29, 2024
You can read the official message she sent to all Blizzard employees below:
Today, the following email was delivered to all Blizzard employees by Johanna Faries, the new President of Blizzard Entertainment:
Dear Blizzard,
Though my official first day with you all is February 5, I want to let you know immediately that it is an honor to join you next week in this new capacity. I do so humbly and in awe of all that Blizzard has stood for and delivered to the world for over thirty years. Today also brings some mixed emotions. The loss of talented teammates in recent days is hard to hold side-by-side with the immense excitement I feel about joining Blizzard – and building on the momentum you’ve created for Blizzard’s next chapter.
I want to thank Matt for the introduction, bring some further clarity to today’s announcement, and share more about how I see our future together at Blizzard. I understand this is a lot to take in. The news of my appointment may no doubt bring up a range of reactions, questions, even concerns.
Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures, and communities. 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.
Next week, I will be in Irvine and I am eager to connect with as many of you as possible. I will be scheduling informal (and totally optional) meet-and-greets, where I want to hear more from people across the organization. Those of you who cannot make it to those gatherings or aren’t located in Irvine, please feel free to email me. We are also planning a town hall meeting to be held in the near future.
A few personal facts about me: my #1 job in life is raising two amazing boys. In addition to parenthood, a typical week for me includes finding time for daily yoga and prayer, and of course, playing video games (big Diablo IV fan over here!). Throughout, the joy I find in games – and working with those who make them – only deepens.
I remain inspired by Blizzard’s iconic legacy, and the transformative role gaming has played in my life and in the lives of others. I cannot wait to get going – to listen, to learn, to empower, and to collaborate with all of you on our bold and bright future together. Together, may we forge many legendary days ahead.
Johanna
Is she gonna get paid less than Mike Ybarra just like Jen Oneal was?
I’m curious how bad the sexism issue still is at Blizzard.
Please tell me you are not woke…
If she does the same job as him, yes. If not, no.
There’s nothing “woke” about that statement, it literally happened, although it’s a bit more complex.
Both Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra were promoted to co-lead Blizzard from different positions. But she was paid less than him because the position she was promoted from was paid less. They both asked to get the same payment multiple times and were denied.
She was only offered equal pay AFTER resigning (they probably realized what big of a PR nightmare that would be if she spoke about it publicly), but she decided to quit anyway.
It was one of the most idiotic things Blizzard could do. I mean, they specifically hired those two for “equality” after all of the sexual harassment, discrimination etc. cases came to life. And they didn’t think that paying both of them the same would be a good idea.