Xbox’s leadership team visited Blizzard’s headquarters in Irvine, California today for the first time since Microsoft completed its acquisition of the Diablo developer.
Activision‘s EVP for corporate affairs, Lulu Cheng Meservey shared some images of a welcoming event on Tuesday, which according toWindows Centralwas “a relatively low-key affair” in whichXboxbossPhil Spenceraddressed assembledBlizzardemployees.
According to WC’s sources, Spencer emphasized that he had “no answers” and that instead Xbox would be listening to the needs and desires of Blizzard staff.
“Spencer said thatMicrosoftis striving to be a source of trust for Blizzard, and wants to enable Blizzard to achieve its visions and dreams,” the publication says.
Onboarding some new colleagues at the Blizzard campus todaypic.twitter.com/e6Lr7ptOw4
Microsoft’s leadership team, which also included studios bossMatt Bootyand Sarah Bond, reportedly stated that they see Blizzard as the “Pixar” of the gaming industry.
It’s perhaps notable that, according to the same sources, virtually no Activision branding was present at the event (however, one image posted by Meservey below does show a prominent Activision logo).
Former Xbox CVP and current Blizzard President Mike Ybarra shared an image of a canvas featuring Blizzard and Xbox branding.
Activision hadreportedlyheld increasing influence over Blizzard in recent years and pushed for cost cuts and a faster release schedule. Blizzard has had its own problems in recent years, including widespread allegations of toxic workplace conditions.
New colleagues unlocked(ht@steinekin)https://t.co/eplZpE99dVpic.twitter.com/tXjTNE2ztq
It’s the beginning of a new chapter for@Blizzard_Ent- a 2+ year journey and we couldn’t be happier.pic.twitter.com/3JFJhNqSrc
The Xbox maker finallycompleted its $69 billion acquisitionofActivision Blizzardearlier this month.
In closing the game industry’s (and Microsoft’s) biggest ever deal, the Xbox maker took ownership of franchises including Call of Duty, Warcraft, Diablo, Guitar Hero, Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater,Overwatch, Crash Bandicootand many more.
“The amount of franchises that we now have in our portfolio is kind of inspiring, it’s daunting,” Phil Spencer told the officialXbox podcast. “I feel that we have to be a great custodian for the content that we touch. These are memories from people on different platforms, different decades.
