Microsoft lays off 1,900 Employees, Mike Ybarra Leaves Blizzard

Microsoft has announced that it is laying off 1,900 employees at Activision Blizzard and Xbox. Activision Blizzard will be impacted the most by the layoffs with the rest affecting Xbox and Zenimax. Additionally, Blizzard president Mike Ybarra announced that he is leaving the company after more than twenty years in the company along with Blizzard chief design officer Allen Adham. Microsoft has stated that it plans to name a new Blizzard president next week. While Ybarra did not state why he was leaving the company, in a recent message on Twitter, he notes that “it’s time for me to (once again) become Blizzard’s biggest fan from the outside.”

Ybarra’s full statement regarding his departure:

I want to thank everyone who is impacted today for their meaningful contributions to their teams, to Blizzard, and to players’ lives. It’s an incredibly hard day and my energy and support will be focused on all those amazing individuals impacted – this is in no way a reflection on your amazing work. If there’s anything I can help with, connections, recommendations, etc., DM me.

To the Blizzard community: I also want to let you all know today is my last day at Blizzard. Leading Blizzard through an incredible time and being part of the team, shaping it for the future ahead, was an absolute honor. Having already spent 20+ years at Microsoft and with the acquisition of Activision Blizzard behind us, it’s time for me to (once again) become Blizzard’s biggest fan from the outside. 

To the incredible teams at Blizzard – thank you. Words can’t express how I feel about all of you. You are amazing. Continue to do incredible things and always keep Blizzard blue and the player at the forefront of every decision. 

To all of those impacted today – I am always available to you and understand how challenging today’s news is. My heart is with each one of you.

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