Blizzard Entertainment has appointed former Call of Duty GM Joanna Faries as its new president. Her formal appointment has been confirmed for 5 February 2024, making her the company's first leader from outside the gaming industry.
Mike Ybarra, who was CEO of Blizzard Entertainment, stepped down following news of large-scale layoffs affecting 1,000 employees in Microsoft's Xbox division. Blizzard formally decided on his successor and put arrangements in place for its new president to take office.
According to an official Blizzard announcement, Joanna Faries, who served as general manager of Call of Duty and head of its esports league, will become the new president. At the same time as her appointment was announced, she shared her thoughts and posted about playing Diablo IV, Call of Duty and Baldur's Gate 3, among other games.
Her formal appointment has been confirmed for 5 February 2024. In contrast with previous presidents, all of whom came from the gaming industry, the appointment is widely viewed as making her the company's first leader from outside the industry. Some players have expressed questions and concerns in response.
The report cites a Blizzard News announcement link as its source, and attention is focused on future developments in the company's operating policies and organizational structure.