Former Call of Duty GM Johanna Faries appointed as Blizzard’s new president

Blizzard has named former Title of Obligation primary supervisor Johanna Faries as its new president.

The chief joined Activision as head of Call of Duty esports in October 2018, sooner than being named GM for the blockbuster shooter franchise in April 2021.

Her new place, which might see her substitute outgoing studio boss Mike Ybarra, was confirmed in a memo despatched to staff on Monday.

“Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly fully completely different companies with distinct video video games, cultures, and communities,” she talked about.

“You will want to look at that Title of Obligation’s methodology of waking up throughout the morning to ship for players can sometimes differ from the attractive video video games in Blizzard’s realm: each with fully completely different gameplay experiences, communities that embody them, and requisite fashions of success.

“I’ve talked about this with the Blizzard administration workers and I’m strolling into this place with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we begin to uncover taking our universes to even bigger heights.

Whats up all. Instantly I despatched the beneath observe to @Blizzard_Ent. As for X: I play to stay in “concentrate mode” proper right here, nonetheless perception I’m tuned in! As for me: a typical day=work life+yogi life+video video games life. In the mean time on heavy rotation: D4, COD, BG3. Feeling blessed & grateful🙏🏽Onward. ✨ pic.twitter.com/Ph8XgsTcpk

— Johanna Faries (@Joh_Burg) January 29, 2024

“I’m devoted to doing each little factor I can to help Blizzard thrive, with care and consideration for you and for our video video games, each distinctive and specific of their very personal correct,” Faries continued.

“I’m optimistic about our talent to serve our current and future participant communities, and to further amplify the shared passion for greatness, polish, and creative mastery which may be a trademark of Blizzard’s methodology to game-making.”

Closing week, Microsoft launched plans to lay off 1,900 staff across Xbox, Bethesda and Activision Blizzard.

Alongside the knowledge, it was confirmed that president Ybarra and chief design officer Allen Adham may very well be leaving Blizzard, and that the studio’s untitled survival sport, which was launched in January 2022, was no longer in development.