Blizzard’s first new president underneath Microsoft’s possession is Johanna Faries, who beforehand served as the final supervisor of Call of Duty as a part of Activision.
Faries joined Activision in 2018 because the writer’s commissioner for Call of Duty esports, and later grew to become the final supervisor for the Call of Duty franchise, a title she’s held for shut to a few years. Previous to working at Activision, Fairies spent over a decade working on the NFL, the place she served first because the NFL’s director of client merchandise and licensing, and later as VP of promoting technique and fan growth. She briefly served as its VP of membership enterprise growth earlier than becoming a member of Activision.
She replaces Mike Ybarra as Blizzard president, who not too long ago stepped down amidst mass layoffs at Activision and Blizzard that noticed greater than 1,900 workers lose their jobs. In an email despatched to all Blizzard workers, Fairies acknowledged the current layoffs, noting that “the lack of proficient teammates in current days is difficult to carry side-by-side with the immense pleasure I really feel about becoming a member of Blizzard.”
She additionally acknowledged that Activision, Blizzard, and King are all totally different corporations with totally different wants, and that she is strolling into the position of president “with sensitivity to these dynamics.”
“It is very important be aware that Call of Duty’s manner of waking up within the morning to ship for gamers can typically differ from the beautiful video games in Blizzard’s realm: every with totally different gameplay experiences, communities that encompass them, and requisite fashions of success.”
Faries stated she is dedicated to serving to Blizzard thrive “with care and consideration for you and for our video games, every distinctive and particular in their very own proper.”
When Faries begins on February 5, she will not be Blizzard’s first feminine chief. Jen Oneal briefly served as co-leader of Blizzard alongside Ybarra in 2021, following the departure of former president J. Allen Brack within the wake of a gender discrimination lawsuit introduced by the state of California accusing the developer of fostering a sexist work surroundings. Oneal solely served as co-president for 3 months earlier than stepping down from the position, citing unequal pay and expressing a scarcity of religion in Activision Blizzard management. The lawsuit that initially spurred the management change was not too long ago settled to the tune of $54 million.
In her e mail, Fairies famous she is a “massive Diablo 4 fan” and that the enjoyment she finds in enjoying video games and dealing with those that create 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,” she stated. ” I can’t wait to get going–to pay attention, to be taught, to empower, and to collaborate with all of you on our daring and shiny future collectively. Collectively, could we forge many legendary days forward.”