Monday, January 29th 2024
Johanna Faries Announced as New President of Blizzard Entertainment
Today, the following email was delivered to all Blizzard employees by Johanna Faries, the new President of Blizzard Entertainment: "Dear Blizzard, though my official first day with you all is February 5, I want to let you know immediately that it is an honor to join you next week in this new capacity. I do so humbly and in awe of all that Blizzard has stood for and delivered to the world for over thirty years. Today also brings some mixed emotions. The loss of talented teammates in recent days is hard to hold side-by-side with the immense excitement I feel about joining Blizzard - and building on the momentum you've created for Blizzard's next chapter.
I want to thank Matt (Booty) for the introduction, bring some further clarity to today's announcement, and share more about how I see our future together at Blizzard. I understand this is a lot to take in. The news of my appointment may no doubt bring up a range of reactions, questions, even concerns. Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures, and communities. It is important to note that Call of Duty's way of waking up in the morning to deliver for players can often differ from the stunning games in Blizzard's realm: each with different gameplay experiences, communities that surround them, and requisite models of success. I've discussed this with the Blizzard leadership team and I'm walking into this role with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we begin to explore taking our universes to even higher heights."
"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. 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. Next week, I will be in Irvine and I am eager to connect with as many of you as possible. I will be scheduling informal (and totally optional) meet-and-greets, where I want to hear more from people across the organization. Those of you who cannot make it to those gatherings or aren't located in Irvine, please feel free to email me. We are also planning a town hall meeting to be held in the near future.
A few personal facts about me: my #1 job in life is raising two amazing boys. In addition to parenthood, a typical week for me includes finding time for daily yoga and prayer, and of course, playing video games (big Diablo IV fan over here!). Throughout, the joy I find in games - and working with those who make them - only deepens. I remain inspired by Blizzard's iconic legacy, and the transformative role gaming has played in my life and in the lives of others. I cannot wait to get going - to listen, to learn, to empower, and to collaborate with all of you on our bold and bright future together. Together, may we forge many legendary days ahead."
Source:
Blizzard News
I want to thank Matt (Booty) for the introduction, bring some further clarity to today's announcement, and share more about how I see our future together at Blizzard. I understand this is a lot to take in. The news of my appointment may no doubt bring up a range of reactions, questions, even concerns. Activision, Blizzard, and King are decidedly different companies with distinct games, cultures, and communities. It is important to note that Call of Duty's way of waking up in the morning to deliver for players can often differ from the stunning games in Blizzard's realm: each with different gameplay experiences, communities that surround them, and requisite models of success. I've discussed this with the Blizzard leadership team and I'm walking into this role with sensitivity to those dynamics, and deep respect for Blizzard, as we begin to explore taking our universes to even higher heights."
A few personal facts about me: my #1 job in life is raising two amazing boys. In addition to parenthood, a typical week for me includes finding time for daily yoga and prayer, and of course, playing video games (big Diablo IV fan over here!). Throughout, the joy I find in games - and working with those who make them - only deepens. I remain inspired by Blizzard's iconic legacy, and the transformative role gaming has played in my life and in the lives of others. I cannot wait to get going - to listen, to learn, to empower, and to collaborate with all of you on our bold and bright future together. Together, may we forge many legendary days ahead."
- Johanna
26 Comments on Johanna Faries Announced as New President of Blizzard Entertainment
It will take some time to get rid of that stench fully though, I'm sure.
LOL What? That "game" is cancer, and nothing like what the original Blizzard corporation produced. DEI pick, all business, no gaming credentials, probably doesn't play video games either if she thinks D4 is "good".
From a business perspective if she can't hang, drop her and move on; at least the toxic elephant has left the room.
Hopefully they clean house but I doubt this move will even move the needle.
Now that Bobby is gone, lets hope it gets better from here and even though i dont think it will be back to blizzards glory days
One can hope the old franchise can continue to develop... and fix current games
But I am not fully versed in American corporate structures, so maybe I am missing something.
The e-sports side of Blizzard failed because the overall approach was faulty from the very start and by the time she was appointed she was, essentially, handed over a sinking ship. If she was around to guide the only game that actually HAD e-sports potential way back when (SC2) we might have had a different perspective. But she wasn’t and since then ActiBlizz tried to shoehorn games that could not have been less likely to be successful e-sports into the scene, using stupider and stupider formats (the OWL was a catastrophe in the making from the start). Little wonder it failed .
One fuck up after another. Already managed to put the axe on the roots of D&D and MTG.
Luckily covid and a new gen of players saved their ass. Check out the OGL license shitstorm, its a good read of how new CEO's can fail harder than anything before them.
Regardless, I don't think a new leader makes for a different company. Talent isn't something you can just inspire. Company either has it or doesn't. And either cultivated it, or didn't. Blizzard didn't, what's left are the worst of the crop.I can totally see them coming back with franchise resets, but anything coming out for the next 3-4 years isn't going to be that.
This shows how distant the person is from the real struggle making products like these and what it lacks to make a good product. It is a short nonsense that proves we have a wrong person here.