J. Allen Brack, the previous President of Blizzard Entertainment, is leaving the development studio. In an official letter, Activision Blizzard announces that Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will jointly hold executive positions at Blizzard.
The change at the highest point coincides with what is probably the biggest scandal in Blizzard’s company history: In a lawsuit in the US state of California, the company is currently facing sharp allegations of sexism and harassment in the workplace, which are currently shaking the entire game industry.
“Exemplary and with integrity”
Oneal and Ybarra are to take over the business with immediate effect. The two successors of J. Allen Brack are of exemplary character and with integrity, according to the company’s statement.
They are determined to create a safe, open and inspired work environment for all employees – regardless of gender, origin, ethnicity, sexual orientation – and at the same time to guarantee the high standards of game development at Blizzard.
Who are the two new Blizzard bosses?
- Jen Oneal: With Blizzard for 18 years and the former head of the Vicarious Visions sub-studio (Diablo 2 Resurrected, Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy, Skylanders series). She also produced the Tony Hawk series for years. Most recently, she ran the Overwatch and Diablo brands.
- Mike Ybarra: The previous vice president and manager of the technology department at Blizzard, where he was responsible for Battle.net, among other things. Previously, Ybarra was a manager of the Xbox brand at Microsoft and has years of experience in the tech industry.
In the Announcement of the change of staff reference is also made to the current lawsuit and allegations:
“[Jen und Mike] will ensure that Blizzard upholds and upholds its values and that we regain trust. They have extensive industry experience and are committed to integrity and inclusion, and they will run Blizzard with care, passion and expertise. “
Why is the Blizzard boss leaving?
J. Allen Brack took over the office of Blizzard President in October 2018 from Mike Morhaime, who co-founded the company in 1991. According to a press release, Brack is now leaving Blizzard to “pursue new opportunities.”
Brack himself writes about his departure that he is confident that Blizzard will develop its full potential under Oneal and Ybarra make a quick change could. Brack started out as a producer for WoW in 2005 and rose to Blizzard’s production director and later vice president.
For Heiko Klinge, the shocking incidents at the WoW developer show that the games industry must finally take responsibility and change. This applies to Blizzard as well as to GameStar, says the editor-in-chief:
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