New Leadership at Blizzard

[Lumy]

New Leadership at Blizzard

To all members of the Blizzard Community,

We want to let you know about an important leadership change at Blizzard Entertainment.

Starting today, J. Allen Brack will be stepping down as the leader of the studio, and Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will co-lead Blizzard moving forward.

Jen joined Blizzard in January as executive vice president of development, where she’s been providing senior development leadership and support to the Diablo and Overwatch franchises. Jen is the former head of Vicarious Visions (which is now part of Blizzard Entertainment).

After many years at XBOX, Mike joined the company in 2019 as the executive vice president and general manager of platform and technology, where he’s been overseeing the evolution of Battle.net and our development services organization.

Jen and Mike have more than three decades of gaming industry experience between them. Moving forward, they will share responsibilities over game development and company operations.

Both leaders are deeply committed to all of our employees; to the work ahead to ensure Blizzard is the safest, most welcoming workplace possible for women, and people of any gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or background; to upholding and reinforcing our values; and to rebuilding your trust. With their many years of industry experience and deep commitment to integrity and inclusivity, Jen and Mike will lead Blizzard with care, compassion, and a dedication to excellence. You’ll hear more from Jen and Mike soon.

The following is a message from J. Allen Brack:

“I am confident that Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will provide the leadership Blizzard needs to realize its full potential and will accelerate the pace of change. I anticipate they will do so with passion and enthusiasm and that they can be trusted to lead with the highest levels of integrity and commitment to the components of our culture that make Blizzard so special.”

Finally, thank you all for being a part of the Blizzard community, and for your passion and determination for safety and equality for all.

[GR8GODZILLAGOD]

Good fucking riddance.

[Sheamus]

Interesting

[Coldkil]

Heads starting to fall. We'll see if this ends in the game being better with the new expansion or if it's done for good.

[Nerraw]

Correct decision. Now the question remains whether they'll get rid of the torture lady too or not.

[Sorshen]

You think you do, but you don't.

[Zmagoslav]

Heads starting to fall. We'll see if this ends in the game being better with the new expansion or if it's done for good.

It's a lead on the Diablo team and a lead on the Battle.net team taking the reins...
Hopes are low.

[Sorshen]

It's a lead on the Diablo team and a lead on the Battle.net team taking the reins...
Hopes are low.

Vicarious Visions is better than modern Blizzard at doing and understanding anything Diablo. You should be hopeful.

[Echo of Soul]

WoW won't get any better as long as we're stuck with Ion though.

[bowlink]

As mutch as i dislike JAB, i feel he was given a rotten hot potato. And was set up as the fall guy. So the rest of the old guard could get out with "clean" hands. Always said he was nothing but a ventriliquist dummy.

[dariok]

It's a lead on the Diablo team and a lead on the Battle.net team taking the reins...
Hopes are low.

Jen is from Vicarious Visions is not responsible for DIII but she was leading the DII: Resurrected as far as I undersand.

[Greevir]

Why did they have to set two people as lead of the studio. Why not have Jen there on her own. I guess that would be too much to ask to have a woman leading the studio without a mans help...

[Palapop]

Why did they have to set two people as lead of the studio. Why not have Jen there on her own. I guess that would be too much to ask to have a woman leading the studio without a mans help...

Are you for real?

[Magical Mudcrab]

I'm a little hesitant because I'm not aware of who these new individuals are; however, I hope they are able to work towards reforming Blizzard's work culture.

[Osmeric]

It's ahead of today's investor call. I wonder if that means the Blizzard numbers can't be sugarcoated.

[Makabreska]

Actually surprised, thought Blizz will just wait it out w/o any big changes, like Ubi.

[Ted Mosby]

WoW won't be better till all the original crew come back, and they ditch all the corporate bloat.

[Trumpcat]

I'm certain her extensive 5 months experience at Blizzard and previous Xbox experience makes her the perfect person for this position.

[Dundebuns]

Need to cut the rot out. There is no healing it.

[ExtremelyCrusty]

J. Allen Lisp.