Blizzard Entertainment boss Mike Ybarra thinks that being acquired by Microsoft Corp. (NASDAQ: MSFT) will allow it to be more independent and serve players "better than we ever have."
What Happened: Ybarra expressed optimism for the studio's future autonomy following its acquisition by Xbox, speaking at the BlizzCon 2023 event.
The comments were made in light of the $69 billion deal where Microsoft took ownership of the iconic gaming studio and its popular franchises.
Ybarra, who has been with Blizzard since 2019, believes the merger with Microsoft will usher in a new era for the studio, underscored by greater creative freedom and an enhanced ability to serve players, he told The Verge in an interview.
"That's what I really mean when I talk about a new era of possibilities, of empowerment, of serving players even better than we ever have," Ybarra said.
During last week's BlizzCon opening ceremony, Ybarra and Xbox head Phil Spencer discussed the bright future of Blizzard post-acquisition. Spencer, after meeting with the Warcraft studio's team, shared a vision of nurturing Blizzard's unique essence while empowering the team in an environment of trust and collaboration.
Additionally, Spencer, while addressing the utilization of Activision Blizzard, Inc.'s (NASDAQ: ATVI) extensive game library, indicated support for revisiting classic titles but clarified Xbox would not mandate it. This suggests a hands-off approach, allowing the studio to explore its catalog according to its creative direction.
Why It Matters: The integration of Blizzard into the Xbox ecosystem marks a significant transition for the gaming studio known for titles like Warcraft and Overwatch.
Ybarra referred to this next chapter as a "new era" for the company, underlining his optimism without the overbearing influence of its new parent company. He also has over two decades of experience working for Microsoft, so this is not alien territory to him either.
Ybarra has also worked for Spencer for eight years before joining Blizzard in 2019, so he has direct experience with the Xbox chief that he can lean on.