Johanna Faries will take over the position vacated by former Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Ybarra a few days ago.

After Activision Blizzard fell into the paws of Microsoft, it was expected that the Redmond giant would tear it down. There have been layoffs and departures, and in the midst of the reorganization, the management team has changed. Faries’ promotion is a testament to that: she’s been with the publisher for nearly five and a half years, and has been general manager of Call of Duty since April 2021, prior to which she ran the franchise’s eSports division. Here’s the email Faries sent to company employees:

“Dear Blizzard, Although my official first day with all of you is February 5th, I want you to know right away that it is an honor to join you next week in this new role. 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 mixed emotions. The loss of talented teammates over the past few days is hard to reconcile 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 [Matt Booty – essentially the head of Activision Blizzard, as the executives report to him – the ed] for the introduction, add some clarity to today’s announcement, and share more about how I see our future together at Blizzard. I know this is a lot to take in. The news of my appointment will no doubt evoke a range of reactions, questions, and even concerns.

Activision, Blizzard, and King are very different companies with different games, cultures, and communities. It is important to note that the way Call of Duty wakes up in the morning to deliver for players is often different from the amazing games in the Blizzard universe: each with different player experiences, surrounding communities, and required models for success. I’ve discussed this with Blizzard’s leadership team, and I enter this role with a sensitivity to these dynamics and a deep respect for Blizzard as we begin to explore taking our universes to even greater heights. I am committed to doing everything I can to help Blizzard thrive, with care and consideration for you and for our games, each of which is unique and special in its own way. I’m optimistic about our ability to serve our current and future communities of players and to further strengthen the shared passion for greatness, polish, and creative mastery that is a hallmark of Blizzard’s approach to game making.

I will be in Irvine next week, and I am eager to meet with as many of you as possible. I will be scheduling informal (and completely optional) meet-and-greets where I want to hear more from people across the organization. For those of you who can’t make it to these gatherings or aren’t in Irvine, please feel free to email me. We are also planning a town hall meeting in the near future. A few personal facts about me: My #1 job in life is raising two amazing boys. In addition to parenting, 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!). Through it all, the joy I find in games – and in working with those who make them – only deepens. I continue to be inspired by Blizzard’s iconic legacy and the transformative role games have played in my life and the lives of others. I cannot wait to get started – to listen, to learn, to empower, and to collaborate with all of you on our bold and bright future together. May we forge many legendary days together,” Faries wrote.

It won’t be an easy task. Good luck to her!

Source: Gematsu