Blizzard’s Mike Ybarra Looks Back On 2022 And Confirms The Return Of BlizzCon Next Year
Blizzard Entertainment is now coming to the end of a very eventful year with the announcement of Microsoft’s plans to acquire Activision Blizzard and the highly awaited launches of Diablo Immortal, Wrath of the Lich King Classic, World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, and Overwatch 2.
Blizzard President Mike Ybarra also says that roughly 50 million new players joined the Blizzard community over the past year. The number is based on newly created Battle.net accounts that have played at least one Blizzard game since January. The company’s monthly active users (MAUs), however, reached its lowest point in Q1 2022 at 22 million users but steadily rose to 27 million by the second quarter of the year and to 31 million by the third quarter thanks to the launch of Diablo Immortal back in June.
Ybarra also touched on the controversial topic of diversity and inclusion within the company following the release of its demographic representation report for 2022 earlier this month.
“One of the other major projects this year has been taking a deep look at the mission, vision and values upon which Blizzard was built,” said Ybarra. “We have been talking about how these values are interpreted and lived, how they could be improved or modernized, and everyone at Blizzard had the chance to have their voice heard in this critical work. This is a project that our employees, as well as players, will see the results of in the new year.”
“Our commitment is that our focus on culture and inclusion will be a core part of our everyday efforts at Blizzard,” he added. “This work will never be done. For you – our players – our hope is that you are seeing it in our games, the way we communicate, and more. We’re learning along the way, and it’s all of you who are keeping us on the right track.”
Ybarra also confirmed that BlizzCon will be returning next year and that they’ve expanded and doubled the size of the team working on the company’s unannounced survival game. In the meantime, the company will be taking a break for the holidays with a promise to reveal more information about BlizzCon’s return next year.
“Take care this holiday season: spend time with loved ones, your favorite games, your favorite movies and books, and take the time for yourselves. We’ll be doing the same,” concluded Ybarra. “I’ll see you in Azeroth, Sanctuary, the tavern, and in the optimistic vision of the future!”
We wish you all Happy Holidays with your friends and family!
💙 Thank you for an amazing year 🎉 pic.twitter.com/iReNhSMSDc
— Blizzard Entertainment (@Blizzard_Ent) December 24, 2022
