Blizzard president J. Allen Brack steps down following harassment lawsuit

J. Allen Brack, the top of Blizzard Leisure, has stepped down from his place as president, the corporate introduced Tuesday. Activision Blizzard advised employees Tuesday morning that Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will “co-lead” the corporate.

Activision Blizzard staff walked out of work last week to protest management response to a lawsuit that alleged “fixed sexual harassment” and sexism on the firm.

Oneal beforehand acted as govt vice chairman of growth, whereas Ybarra led platform and know-how on the firm. Oneal additionally beforehand led Vicarious Visions, which Blizzard acquired in January. Ybarra was beforehand at Microsoft, serving as company vice chairman for Xbox Stay and Xbox Sport Go. He joined Blizzard in 2019.

“Each leaders are deeply dedicated to all of our staff; to the work forward to make sure Blizzard is the most secure, most welcoming office doable for ladies, and folks of any gender, ethnicity, sexual orientation, or background; to upholding and reinforcing our values; and to rebuilding your belief,” a Blizzard spokesperson said in the statement. “With their a few years of trade expertise and deep dedication to integrity and inclusivity, Jen and Mike will lead Blizzard with care, compassion, and a dedication to excellence. You’ll hear extra from Jen and Mike quickly.”

Brack issued a press release published on the Blizzard website.

I’m assured that Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will present the management Blizzard wants to understand its full potential and can speed up the tempo of change. I anticipate they are going to accomplish that with ardour and enthusiasm and that they are often trusted to guide with the very best ranges of integrity and dedication to the elements of our tradition that make Blizzard so particular.

Brack’s departure from the studio comes not lengthy after its guardian firm, Activision Blizzard, was sued by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing (DFEH) for making a “frat boy tradition” that allowed gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment to proliferate. The lawsuit alleges that Brack knew in regards to the habits as a result of he had obtained complaints instantly, and that he did little to cease it past disciplinary actions that amounted to “a slap on the wrist.”

A 15-year Blizzard veteran, Brack had been the corporate’s president since October 2018, when then-president and -CEO Mike Morhaime decided to step down and cross the baton to him. Previous to his ascension to studio head, Brack served for a few years as a pacesetter of the World of Warcraft growth staff. Morhaime, who co-founded Blizzard in 1991, described Brack on the time of his promotion as “an inspiring chief who has proven unwavering dedication to Blizzard’s neighborhood.”

Instantly following the lawsuit, Activision Blizzard made an official statement by which it stated the lawsuit included “distorted, and in lots of circumstances false, descriptions of Blizzard’s previous.” Internally, varied executives printed statements; Brack, in one in every of these letters, referred to as the allegations “extraordinarily troubling.”

Activision Blizzard govt and former George W. Bush homeland safety advisor Frances Townsend referred to as the lawsuit “actually meritless and irresponsible” in a press release that’s since been criticized by present and former employees. Thousands of Activision Blizzard employees signed a letter asking for Townsend to step down as the manager sponsor of the ladies’s community. Following the letter, Activision Blizzard staff in California and elsewhere walked out of labor in protest of management response.

Townsend later tweeted about “the Downside with Whistleblowing,” a narrative printed in The Atlantic in July. The curious timing for the tweet — instantly following main whistleblowing at Activision Blizzard — didn’t sit properly with present and former staff, who responded in flip with criticism. Townsend reportedly began blocking current employees talking out towards her.