Mike Ybarra
Reporting and statements that mention Mike Ybarra.
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"I wish physical media was here to stay": As Sony reports 82% digital PlayStation sales, ex-Blizzard boss says "the purchasing trend from consumers is clear"
Sony reported that 82% of its PlayStation game sales are now digital, a trend former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra finds significant, despite his personal preference for physical media. Industry analyst Daniel Ahmad noted Xbox's digital ratio exceeds 90%, and Capcom anticipates 95% digital sales by next year, highlighting a clear consumer shift away from physical discs.
PlayStation’s Digital Future Is Turning Into a PR Disaster
Sony's decision to phase out physical game production for PlayStation by January 2028 has sparked significant backlash, with over 240,000 signatures on the "Don't Kill The Disc" campaign. While Sony cites a shift towards digital ownership, critics raise concerns about game preservation, ownership rights, and the impact on retail competition. The company's silence amid widespread criticism and boycotts is exacerbating the situation, leading to a crisis of consumer trust and reputational damage.
As PlayStation kills discs, former Blizzard boss says "we can't live in a world of fear if our games will work…
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has expressed concerns regarding Sony Interactive Entertainment's move towards an all-digital, disc-less future for PlayStation consoles, starting in January 2028. He urges platform holders to establish clear digital promises for consumers, ensure game accessibility in the long term, and innovate game sharing features to match the ease of physical disc lending.
5 promising games recently cancelled by Microsoft
Microsoft has recently cancelled several promising game projects, including 'Odyssey,' 'Everwild,' 'Perfect Dark,' 'Contraband,' and 'Project Blackbird,' as part of a broader cost-cutting strategy under new CEO Asha Sharma. These cancellations have led to studio closures and significant layoffs, with former employees expressing disappointment over the loss of potentially exciting titles and the shift away from riskier, ambitious projects.
Why Is Everyone Acting So Weird About PS5 Game Mixtape?
The narrative game Mixtape has launched to a 9/10 review score, but is facing unusual discourse online regarding its gameplay mechanics and design choices. Critics have pointed out the lack of consequences for failed prompts and questioned the game's classification as indie, despite its publisher Annapurna Interactive and small development team. Former executive Mike Ybarra also weighed in on the discussion.
MMO Week in Review: Guild Wars in your pocket
ArenaNet announced a mobile port of Guild Wars Reforged with cross-progression, coinciding with the game's 21st anniversary. This week also saw Final Fantasy XIV patch 7.5, Pearl Abyss selling EVE Online studio CCP Games to its management, and Star Wars The Old Republic revealing the planet Ryloth for its 8.0 update.
WoW Factor: Mike Ybarra is blaming Ion Hazzikostas for actually getting better at his job
Former Blizzard executive Mike Ybarra has criticized current World of Warcraft Game Director Ion Hazzikostas's leadership, suggesting the game has declined under his direction. The author argues that Hazzikostas has actually shown growth and made positive design changes, shifting focus beyond just raiding to include more player-friendly content like housing. The article contends that Ybarra's criticisms are misplaced and reflect a personal preference for past game states rather than the actual health of World of Warcraft.
Blizzard's former president wanted there to be a WoW 2 rather than 'the same WoW 1 expansions over and over…
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra expressed a desire for a "World of Warcraft 2" instead of continuous expansions for the original game, though he noted that such a decision would have been up to current game director Ion Hazzikostas. Despite recent issues, World of Warcraft remains a profitable MMO for Blizzard and Microsoft.
Ex-Blizzard boss says World of Warcraft's devs are "accountable" for its struggles, as patch 12.0.5 woes persist
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has criticized current World of Warcraft developers, suggesting they are not as dedicated as the original team and that the game will continue to decline without more personal sacrifice. The article argues that Ybarra's comments are out of touch with modern game development practices, which prioritize work-life balance over excessive crunch, and are hypocritical given his own history of layoffs.
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.
In lamenting World of Warcraft’s decline, ex-Blizzard boss is trying to find the guy who did this
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has been critical of World of Warcraft's current state on Twitter, suggesting the game needs a complete reset. This criticism comes despite Ybarra's own tenure being marked by declining player numbers and controversial studio decisions, including a studio meeting that demoralized staff and a handling of profit-sharing bonuses and remote work policies that led to significant talent loss.
Blizzard's former president says 'WoW has to reset' over disastrous patch, and I really wouldn't go…
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra stated that World of Warcraft needs a significant 'reset' due to a disastrous recent patch, though the article argues the game's core offerings are strong. Ybarra suggested a complete team overhaul might be necessary, but the author believes the game is showing signs of ill health rather than being on life support, citing past issues like long patch droughts.
World of Warcraft "will continue to decline" unless the MMO gets a "reset," says former Blizzard…
Former Blizzard Entertainment boss Mike Ybarra stated that World of Warcraft needs a "reset" to reverse its ongoing decline, particularly following a recent bug-filled patch. The developers have apologized for the issues and promised improvements to the game's stability and content delivery.
Google Cloud Games boss claims AI lets devs make more games and "take more risks"
Jack Buser, Global Director for Games at Google Cloud, believes that AI will enable game developers to create more titles and take greater creative risks. He suggests that AI tools can handle repetitive tasks, freeing up developers to innovate and release more games, potentially changing public perception of the technology as more titles become available.
Former Microsoft exec and Blizzard boss completes Death Stranding 2, praises Hideo Kojima's sequel as one "hell of an experience" – even if the first game's story was better
Former Microsoft and Blizzard executive Mike Ybarra completed Death Stranding 2 on PC, calling it a "hell of an experience" with beautiful graphics and sound. Despite his praise for the sequel, Ybarra stated that he believes the original Death Stranding has a better story.
As Crimson Desert becomes the latest game to see AI art slip through the cracks, Mewgenics co-creator says concept art is "one of the worst" places to use it: "That's where you want to be the most creative"
Developers are discussing the use of AI art in games, particularly in relation to Crimson Desert's concept art. Tyler Glaiel, co-creator of Mewgenics, stated that concept art is one of the worst places to use AI, as it requires maximum creativity. David Szymanski, creator of Iron Lung, expressed his opposition to AI in games, even if it becomes an inevitability.
AI gaslighting watch: Is there AI in my fridge?
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra stated that Artificial Intelligence will be integrated into all video games and other products, including refrigerators. He believes developers should not apologize for using AI, urging them to "man up" and accept its inevitability. The author humorously disputes the presence of AI in their own refrigerator.
"Man up": Former Microsoft and Blizzard exec calls out Crimson Desert devs for apologizing over AI art, because it'll "be in every single video game" someday
Former Microsoft and Blizzard executive Mike Ybarra criticized Pearl Abyss for apologizing over the use of AI in Crimson Desert's development, stating that AI will become ubiquitous in all video games. Pearl Abyss had acknowledged unintentional AI asset usage and apologized, initiating an audit. Ybarra's comments have drawn backlash from some industry figures and players.
Ex-Blizzard president says gamers need to 'Man up' over AI usage in games after Crimson Desert devs issue…
Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra stated that gamers need to 'Man up' regarding the use of AI in video games, following an incident where Crimson Desert developers Pearl Abyss mistakenly used AI-generated art assets. Ybarra believes AI will be ubiquitous in gaming and other industries, questioning the need for developers to apologize for its use. The article also touches on industry trends like Square Enix aiming for AI to handle 70% of QA by 2027 and a survey indicating most developers favor disclosure of AI usage.
AI will be in "every single videogame" and your fridge, says former Blizzard president
Former Blizzard Entertainment president Mike Ybarra believes Artificial Intelligence will be integrated into every video game and even household appliances like refrigerators. He criticized Crimson Desert's apology for using AI-generated artwork, indicating a strong stance on the technology's widespread adoption.