Effective immediately, J. Allen Brack has departed from his role as President of Blizzard Entertainment. President Brack steps down in the midst of a lawsuit crisis unfolding at Activision Blizzard; indeed, all eyes in the gaming industry have been fixated on the multibillion-dollar corporation’s legal and PR disaster.
Endless Apologies
For Blizzard President J. Allen Brack, it’s been a very bad couple of weeks.
What began with the unveiling of a landmark lawsuit has now exploded into a situation so enflamed that it seems like disturbing new information has arisen with each passing day. The lawsuit targets Activision Blizzard for the atrocious treatment of women within the company, including unequal pay. By far, the most egregious (and recurring) issue, however, is the sexual harassment that women have faced from men who have taken advantage of a systemic power imbalance. For many women, working at Activision Blizzard truly sounds hellish — and in the wake of these revelations, it’s all key former executives can do to express their alleged disappointment from afar.
As Activision Blizzard no doubt scrambles to resolve the lawsuit to the best of its ability; optics now play a vital role moving forward. In other words, the company’s top personnel must find a way to placate their undoubtedly frustrated shareholders ASAP. Big things need to happen to ease the public image in short order, as Blizzard President J. Allen Brack steps down, and remaining execs will, in all likelihood, point to his departure as a turning point for improving workplace conditions — there must always be a “fall guy” when the going gets rough.
Introducing “Jen and Mike”
Activision Blizzard COO Daniel Alegre has made the following statement regarding President Brack’s exit, formally citing his replacements in the days to come.
I am pleased to announce that, effective immediately, Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra have been appointed co-leaders of Blizzard. Jen and Mike will share responsibility for development and operational accountability for the company. Both are leaders of great character and integrity and are deeply committed to ensuring our workplace is the most inspired, welcoming environment for creative excellence and to upholding our highest game development standards.
The statement goes on to cite Oneal and Ybarra’s various achievements at the company throughout their respective tenures. Of particular note is the fact that Alegre only actually mentions former Blizzard President Brack in the final sentence. “With Jen and Mike assuming their new roles, J. Allen Brack is leaving the company to pursue new opportunities.”
Even as J. Allen Brack steps down, dark days are doubtless ahead. The lawsuit will not be altered as a result of this motion, nor will the voices of the women who have bravely stood up against corporate tyranny be silenced. We can only hope that this is the beginning, not the end, of real change at the home of such venerable and time-honored franchises as Call of Duty and Diablo.
