Johanna Faries will take the reins at Blizzard next week, following the surprise departure of Mike Ybarra and Microsoft’s mass layoffs.
Blizzard Entertainment has announced that its new president is Johanna Faries, who previously spent nearly three years as the general manager of Activision’s Call of Duty franchise. Faries will replace Mike Ybarra, who unexpectedly announced his departure when Microsoft laid off 1,900 employees from its gaming division last week.
In an email sent to Blizzard employees, Faries said “Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures, and communities,” and that she’s taking on the new position “with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard.”
“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,” Faries wrote. “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.
