If the video game company truly wants to rehab its tarnished image, executives need to release results of internal investigations into workplace culture. Read More
Tag: Blizzard
Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick says he would consider stepping down
Enlarge / Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. (credit: Flickr / Bobby Kotick) Embattled Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick told colleagues that he would consider stepping down and departing the organization if the company’s deep-running sexual harassment and other cultural problems are not resolved. This is according to a Wall Street Journal report citing “people familiar […]
Blizzard delays Diablo IV, Overwatch 2 amid exec departure
Enlarge / Jen Oneal will be leaving her co-leadership position atop Blizzard after less than three months. (credit: Activision Blizzard ) It’s been less than three months since former Vicarious Visions head Jen Oneal stepped up to co-lead Blizzard alongside Mike Ybarra, following the departure of longtime veteran J. Allen Brack . On Tuesday, though, […]
Blizzard cancels 2022 BlizzCon amid harrassment scandal fallout
Enlarge / A Warcraft-themed statue sits in front of the Blizzard employee campus. (credit: Flickr / gordontarpley) Following an online-only BlizzCon earlier this year, Blizzard announced in May that its annual, announcement-packed convention for 2022 would be “combining an online show along the lines of our recent BlizzConline with smaller in-person gatherings.” Today, though, the […]
Diablo II: Resurrected impressions: Maybe not the best time to bring back evil
Since this review starts with a heavy-handed intro, this gallery focuses on the remastered CGI cutscenes included in the package. Click through this review’s additional pages to see screens from live gameplay. [credit: Blizzard ] Where do I even start with Diablo II: Resurrected? Unfortunately for its creators at Blizzard and developers at Vicarious Visions, […]
Blizzard will rename Overwatch cowboy named after fired designer
Enlarge / The cowboy formerly known as McCree is currently the “Man with No Name.” (credit: Blizzard) Overwatch’s cowboy is getting a new name. This is Blizzard’s latest attempt to salvage its image. The studio is dealing with a lawsuit filed by the State of California in July over employee claims of sexual discrimination and […]
Diablo IV director, two “Cosby Suite” staffers no longer with Blizzard
Enlarge / This is arguably not the best promotional image to leave on your Diablo II: Resurrected site these days, Blizzard. (credit: Blizzard) On Wednesday, Blizzard confirmed reports about three major staffers on its game-design teams no longer working for the company. This is yet another example of the tumult that has recently overtaken the lawsuit-plagued […]
Investor group criticizes Activision for “inadequate” harassment response
Enlarge / Activision’s Los Angeles offices. (credit: Getty Images) A major activist investor group is putting public pressure on Activision Blizzard, saying that recent statements from the company regarding allegations of widespread harassment and discrimination “do not go nearly far enough to address the deep and widespread issues with equity, inclusion, and human capital management […]
Blizzard president ends 16-year tenure amid lawsuit fallout
Enlarge / Brack promoting World of Warcraft onstage at Blizzcon 2017. (credit: Blizzard) Blizzard President J. Allen Brack, who was recently named in a California state discrimination and harassment lawsuit against the company, is leaving “to pursue new opportunities,” the company announced this morning. In his place, Blizzard Executive VPs Mike Ybarra (a former long-time […]
Blizzard confirms developer named in lawsuit was removed for “misconduct”
Enlarge / Ex-Blizzard developer Alex Afrasiabi as he appeared in a 2019 video promoting World of Warcraft . (credit: Blizzard ) Last year, reports started to bubble up among Blizzard-watchers that longtime World of Warcraft developer Alex Afrasiabi, who was first hired in 2004, had quietly left the company without any official explanation. Now that […]