The acquisition of Activision Blizzard by Microsoft has sent shockwaves throughout the gaming industry. Many are curious to know how this acquisition will impact Blizzard and its future. In a recent interview with The Verge, Blizzard president Mike Ybarra expressed his excitement about the new era that awaits the company under Microsoft’s ownership.
Ybarra mentioned that he hasn’t had a chance to sit down with Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer to discuss the details of the acquisition. However, he remains confident that the new ownership will provide Blizzard with the independence and creative freedom that it needs to thrive. Ybarra believes that Microsoft’s approach to team building and its focus on culture will be beneficial for Blizzard.
For now, it seems like it’s business as usual for Blizzard. Ybarra mentioned that Spencer and his team recently visited Blizzard, but their discussions did not revolve around business matters. This suggests that any changes driven by Microsoft might take some time to materialize. In fact, Spencer has already stated that Activision Blizzard games will not be available on Xbox Game Pass until 2024.
Reflecting on Blizzard’s history, Ybarra divided it into three phases: pre-World of Warcraft, the World of Warcraft era, and the current era under Microsoft’s ownership. Blizzard is currently juggling multiple big live service games, such as Diablo IV, Overwatch 2, classic and modern versions of World of Warcraft, and a newly launched Warcraft mobile title. Ybarra expressed confidence in Blizzard’s ability to handle all of these projects and meet players’ high expectations.
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Blizzard’s commitment to delivering new content regularly aligns with the industry’s demand for live service games. Ybarra acknowledged that players want new content almost every day, but stressed the challenge of delivering it while maintaining quality. He emphasized the importance of ensuring that players feel good about their purchases, noting that Blizzard is constantly fine-tuning its approach to meet player expectations.
While live service games have been the norm for Blizzard, Ybarra hinted that the company is open to exploring different models and creating new IPs. He mentioned that Blizzard is not afraid to turn models upside down and is receptive to ideas from teams, whether it be for a short four-hour experience or a lengthy 400-hour adventure.
In terms of future releases, Ybarra did not provide specific details about Blizzard’s upcoming untitled survival game. However, he did express a willingness to showcase it when the team feels it is ready. He also hinted at the possibility of more mobile games from Blizzard, citing the success of Warcraft Rumble and Diablo Immortal.
Ybarra did not have any updates regarding Blizzard’s situation in China, where its games were shut down earlier this year. However, he expressed a desire for Blizzard to be present in every country, including China, and hinted that the company will evaluate the situation moving forward.
As for StarCraft fans, Ybarra did not have any news to share about the series despite it being mentioned by Spencer during BlizzCon’s keynote. Ybarra expressed Blizzard’s love for StarCraft but remained tight-lipped about any potential developments.
Overall, Ybarra’s interview provides some insights into Blizzard’s current state and its future under Microsoft’s ownership. While specific details about the impact of the acquisition may not be available yet, it is clear that both Blizzard and Microsoft are committed to delivering quality games and serving players’ needs. Only time will tell how this new era will unfold for Blizzard and its passionate community of players.
