Blizzard feels “empowered” within Xbox

The president of Blizzard assures that Xbox trusts the studio and gives it autonomy to grow.

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The president of Blizzard Entertainment, Johanna Faries, has given a lengthy interview to Bloomberg in which she reviews how the company has changed since she took office in 2024 and what Blizzard’s roadmap is within the Microsoft ecosystem.

The most relevant part for Xbox players comes when Faries is directly asked about what it’s like to be part of Xbox from the inside and if Microsoft’s pressure has changed in recent years. Her response is clear: Blizzard feels supported, with high expectations, but also with room to decide its own path.

Blizzard within Xbox: high standards and total trust

According to Faries, Microsoft demands a high level, but that doesn’t translate into constant interference, rather trust in Blizzard’s creative and management team:

I feel incredibly empowered by our position. We are responsible for driving a thriving business and maintaining high standards. Microsoft expects those standards, but also trusts us.

Blizzard’s president directly points to Phil Spencer and Matt Booty as key figures in this relationship, highlighting that both are fans of the studio’s history and legacy:

They are fans of Blizzard. They want to see it thrive and trust the talent we have here to write our own future.

Asked about past rumors of profitability targets close to 30%, Faries avoids getting into specific numbers, but makes the internal message clear: Blizzard is seen as a strategic asset within Xbox.

We feel seen and valued as a jewel in the portfolio, with a lot of autonomy to drive the growth we want.

The statements reinforce the idea that Blizzard currently operates with creative freedom and corporate backing, a key combination for the future of its major franchises within the Xbox and PC ecosystem.