Blizzard Entertainment president J. Allen Brack steps down

J. Allen Brack, the head of Blizzard Entertainment, has stepped down from his position as president, the company announced Tuesday. Activision Blizzard told staff Tuesday morning that Jean Oneal and Mike Ybarra will “co-lead” the company.

Oneal previously acted as executive vice president of development, while Ybarra led platform and technology at the company.

Brack addressed staff in a message published on the Blizzard website.

I am confident that Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra will provide the leadership Blizzard needs to realize its full potential and will accelerate the pace of change. I anticipate they will do so with passion and enthusiasm and that they can be trusted to lead with the highest levels of integrity and commitment to the components of our culture that make Blizzard so special.

Brack’s departure from the studio comes not long after its parent company, Activision Blizzard, was sued by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing for creating a “frat boy culture” that allowed gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment to proliferate. The lawsuit alleges that Brack knew about the behavior because he had received complaints directly, and that he did little to stop it beyond disciplinary actions that amounted to “a slap on the wrist.”

A 15-year Blizzard veteran, Brack had been the company’s president since October 2018, when then-president and -CEO Mike Morhaime decided to step down and pass the baton to him. Prior to his ascension to studio head, Brack served for many years as a leader of the World of Warcraft development team. Morhaime, who co-founded Blizzard in 1991, described Brack at the time of his promotion as “an inspiring leader who has shown unwavering commitment to Blizzard’s community.”

Developing …