Johanna Faries
Reporting and statements that mention Johanna Faries.
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Leaked emails reveal Blizzard is Xbox's top-performing studio for FY26
Leaked internal emails reveal that Blizzard Entertainment was the top-performing studio within Xbox Game Studios for Microsoft's fiscal year 2026. This marks Blizzard's second consecutive year of growth, driven by Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch, with FY26 being the studio's third highest fiscal for top-line revenue in its history.
Blizzard says Diablo and Overwatch ‘drove exceptional performance’ in 2026
Leaked emails from Blizzard boss Johanna Faries indicate that Blizzard Entertainment achieved exceptional performance in fiscal year 2026, marking its third highest revenue year in history and first back-to-back growth since FY17. Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch were highlighted as key drivers of this success, with Overwatch delivering its strongest quarter since 2022.
Leaked Emails: Overwatch and Diablo Pushed Blizzard to the Top of Xbox’s Studio Rankings
Leaked emails from Blizzard president Johanna Faries reveal that Blizzard Entertainment was the top-performing studio within Xbox's division in FY26, driven by the success of Overwatch and Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred. This marks Blizzard's first back-to-back years of growth since FY17, despite Microsoft's wider gaming division experiencing significant layoffs.
Blizzard is Microsoft's "top performing" studio, thanks largely to Diablo 4 and Overwatch
Blizzard Entertainment has been recognized as the top-performing studio within Xbox's division for the past fiscal year, driven significantly by the success of Diablo 4 and Overwatch. Blizzard President Johanna Faries highlighted that this performance marks the third highest fiscal year for top-line revenue in the company's history, with Overwatch achieving its strongest quarter since 2022.
Blizzard Was “Top-Performing” Studio at Xbox in Q4 FY26 – Rumor
A report suggests Blizzard Entertainment was the top-performing studio at Xbox in Q4 FY26, with Blizzard president Johanna Faries congratulating staff on growth and record fiscal performance. This success, driven by Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch, contrasts with Xbox's overall revenue decline and recent layoffs.
Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and Overwatch's resurgence reportedly drove Blizzard to its "first back-to-back years…
Blizzard Entertainment is reportedly Xbox's top-performing studio, experiencing its first back-to-back years of growth in nearly a decade, largely driven by Diablo 4: Lord of Hatred and a resurgence in Overwatch. Blizzard President Johanna Faries indicated that the company achieved its third-highest revenue in history, with Overwatch having its strongest quarter since 2022.
Blizzard is now reportedly Microsoft's top studio, according to leaked email
A leaked email reveals that Blizzard Entertainment was Microsoft's top-performing studio within the Xbox division for fiscal year 2026, driven by strong revenue from Diablo 4 and Overwatch. Despite industry-wide layoffs and ongoing protests, Blizzard achieved significant growth, with Overwatch experiencing its best quarter since 2022. The company is reportedly preparing for Blizzcon 2026 with potential new game announcements.
We May Already Know One Major Diablo 4 BlizzCon Announcement
A Nintendo Switch 2 version of Diablo 4 is reportedly planned for release around September 15 or 18, with a $70 price point. This port is expected to be officially announced at BlizzCon in September, alongside other Diablo-related news. Blizzard has previously released Diablo 3 and Diablo 2: Resurrected on Nintendo platforms.
If You Aren’t Going To BlizzCon 2026, You Can Still Spend Money Like You Are
Blizzard Entertainment is offering digital BlizzCon bundles for its major live-service games, including World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo IV, Diablo Immortal, and Hearthstone, for players who cannot attend BlizzCon 2026. These bundles, available until September 28, range from $25 to $30 individually, with an Ultimate Collection bundle priced at $50. Blizzard president Johanna Faries anticipates 2026 will be a significant year for the company, with potential announcements regarding World of Warcraft, Diablo 4, Overwatch, and possibly a new StarCraft game.
Blizzard's calling time on Overwatch's hero customising Stadium mode, and I may well be the only person that's sad about that
Blizzard Entertainment is discontinuing active development on Overwatch's Stadium mode due to low player engagement, with only three percent of the player base actively playing it. Game director Aaron Keller announced that while the mode will remain accessible, it will not receive new heroes or maps. The company is exploring alternative game formats, including experiments with 6v6 role queues and a 1-3-2 flex role queue, to address issues with the tank role in standard 5v5 matches.
Blizzard devs in the dark for now as president of the World of Warcraft and Diablo studio says they "can expect to hear more" soon about Microsoft's plan for the studio as Xbox faces 3,200 job cuts
Amid significant layoffs impacting approximately 3,200 positions at Xbox, Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries has communicated to staff that more details regarding the studio's future under Microsoft will be shared soon. While Blizzard's major franchises like World of Warcraft and Diablo appear largely untouched for now, the company is bracing for potential restructuring and changes in the coming months.
Xbox Layoffs’ Effects on Blizzard Have Been “Comparatively Minimal” – Rumor
Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries addressed staff regarding Xbox's recent layoffs, stating the impact on Blizzard has been comparatively minimal. While further details will be shared, the company plans to focus on its major franchises like Diablo, StarCraft, and Warcraft, with potential cross-media adaptations and BlizzCon 2026 still planned. Xbox CEO Asha Sharma indicated that the layoffs are part of a broader reset due to failed bets and overextension, with approximately 3,200 job cuts planned for the fiscal year.
World Of Warcraft 2 Was Something Former Blizzard President Advocated For
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra stated that he advocated for a 'World of Warcraft 2' during his tenure as a way to reset the long-running MMORPG. Ybarra also pushed for more focus on raids and core player experiences over casual content. He clarified that as president, he had limited direct influence on game design decisions, with the game director ultimately holding creative vision.
Official World Of Warcraft Music Video Is A Walk Down Memory Lane
Blizzard Entertainment released a new animated music video titled "A Place to Call Home" in collaboration with singer Aurora to celebrate World of Warcraft's 22nd anniversary. The video revisits iconic moments and locations from the MMORPG's history, leading up to the latest expansion, World of Warcraft: Midnight. The article also touches on discussions about potential Warcraft animated series and housing features in the game.
