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Jen Oneal, who has served as co-lead of embattled World of Warcraft home Blizzard Leisure since this summer season, can be leaving the corporate on the finish of this 12 months, she mentioned in a press release on Blizzard’s web site.
The previous a number of months have been a tumultuous time to take the reins at Blizzard. Oneal’s departure comes as Activision Blizzard continues to wade by means of a lawsuit that alleged Blizzard Leisure of a poisonous “frat home” tradition.
Oneal’s appointment as co-lead adopted the departure of former Blizzard president J. Allen Brack, who left following explosive allegations in opposition to the studio for harboring a poisonous, sexist tradition. Oneal was appointed co-lead of the studio with Mike Ybarra, as the corporate signaled a necessity for “new path and management.”
Oneal was beforehand EVP of growth and EVP and GM of platform and expertise. Ybarra will stay at Blizzard because the solo head of the corporate.
“I’m doing this not as a result of I’m with out hope for Blizzard, fairly the opposite–I am impressed by the fervour of everybody right here, working in the direction of significant, lasting change with their entire hearts,” she wrote in as we speak’s submit.
“This vitality has impressed me to step out and discover how I can do extra to have video games and variety intersect, and hopefully make a broader business affect that can profit Blizzard (and different studios) as nicely,” she mentioned.
Oneal mentioned ABK (Activision Blizzard/King) management helps her resolution and is working together with her in giving a $1 million grant to Girls in Video games Worldwide, a non-profit well-known within the video games business for supporting the development of girls in recreation growth.
Oneal is a WIGI board member. She mentioned she’ll be transferring her tasks to Ybarra and dealing with Activision Blizzard on the WIGI funding earlier than she departs.
“Mike and I’ve been working collectively to develop most of the actions we’ll be taking to proceed making Blizzard a safer, stronger, and extra inclusive office, and I do know he plans on sharing a few of these actions with you quickly,” she mentioned.
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