In a tumultuous week for Blizzard Entertainment, the leader of the company has decided to step down. On Tuesday August 3, Blizzard Entertainment President J. Allen Brack was announced to be leaving the studio. Filling the position will be the duo of Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra. Blizzard Entertainment noted that this change will be effective immediately.
The news of the leadership shift doesn’t come as a surprise for those following the latest news surrounding Blizzard. Recently revelations came to light highlighting a toxic “frat boy” company culture. The state of California is actively suing Blizzard Entertainment over this issue. Brack is the first of major leadership members to step away from their duties.
To take his place, Blizzard has decided to call upon a co-leadership team of Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra. Oneal joined Blizzard back in January after leading Vicarious Visions until it was ultimately bought by her current employer. Oneal spent time providing senior development leadership for the Diablo and Overwatch teams. Ybarra joined Blizzard in 2019 after spending time working with Xbox. He was the executive Vice President and general manager of platform and technology.
Blizzard looks to these two leaders to help guide the studio into a new culture. Fans of the company will wait and see if the changes at the top can really affect the rest of the company headed forward. Employees of Activision Blizzard recently staged a coordinated walkout in solidarity with those affected from the sexual harassment noted in the lawsuit. More changes may be coming as more stories come to light.
Featured image courtesy of Blizzard Entertainment
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