The Controversial Appointment of Johanna Faries as Blizzard’s President
In a recent announcement, the appointment of former Call of Duty executive Johanna Faries as the new president of Blizzard has sparked controversy. The decision has garnered negative opinions, with accusations of “diversity hiring” and concerns that Faries will serve as a mouthpiece for Microsoft, who reportedly has specific requirements for the popular MMO game.
During one of his recent streams, content creator and co-founder of OTK (One True King), Zack “Asmongold,” seemed to echo some of these opinions. He expressed his lack of positive feedback about Call of Duty in recent years and highlighted how he believes this may impact the future of the company.
Instead of using direct quotes, it can be stated that Asmongold shared his concerns about Call of Duty during a January 30, 2024 stream on his alternate channel, Zackrawrr. He discussed the replacement of Blizzard’s president, Mike Ybarra, who criticized Asmongold in 2022 for his lack of experience in Retail WoW. Ybarra has now been replaced by Johanna Faries, the former Call of Duty general manager. Asmongold mentioned her appointment, stating that she promises to honor the unique dynamics of Blizzard.
According to Asmongold, he has not heard much positive feedback about Call of Duty in recent years. The game has stirred controversy and dissatisfaction among fans, such as when Scump’s CoD League stream was hit with a DMCA block while being broadcasted live. Asmongold expressed difficulty in finding many positives associated with Call of Duty.
As for the future of Blizzard Entertainment, things may not be looking optimistic. Despite the successful Dragonflight expansion and WoW Classic’s Discovery Season, many believe that changes may be on the horizon. Asmongold observed that Faries was probably chosen to meet Microsoft’s expectations.
While the article does not mention specific comments made by fans in the YouTube comments section, it suggests that there was a negative atmosphere among fans. Some pointed out poor decisions made by the Call of Duty team, while others simply lamented the fading goodwill and excellent storytelling that Blizzard Entertainment was once known for.
Not everyone, however, viewed Faries’ appointment as the worst thing that could happen. However, it remains uncertain whether Microsoft’s influence will lead to the downfall of Blizzard Entertainment and World of Warcraft. The prevailing sentiment among fans, according to Asmongold, appeared to be anger rather than hope. Only time will tell what the future holds for Blizzard Entertainment. Meanwhile, the company has already released a roadmap detailing upcoming content for World of Warcraft.
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The source of the article is from the blog macnifico.pt