Head of Blizzard Entertainment studio leaving in wake of Activision sexual harassment lawsuit

Brett Molina, USA TODAY
·2 min read

The head of Blizzard Entertainment is stepping down after video game publisher Activision Blizzard was sued by the state of California over alleged sexual harassment and equal pay violations.

In a statement posted Tuesday, Blizzard Entertainment announced J. Allen Brack will step down as head of the studio, replaced by Jen Oneal and Mike Ybarra as co-leaders of the studio.

Oneal joined Blizzard earlier this year as an executive vice president of development, providing support to franchises Diablo and Overwatch.

Ybarra left Xbox to join Blizzard in 2019 as executive vice president and general manager of platform and technology, overseeing the studio's Battle.net online service.

"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," said Brack in a statement.

Employees of the video game company, Activision Blizzard, hold a walkout and protest rally to denounce the company's response to a California Department of Fair Employment and Housing lawsuit and to call for changes in conditions for women and other marginalized groups, in Los Angeles on July 28, 2021.
Employees of the video game company, Activision Blizzard, hold a walkout and protest rally to denounce the company's response to a California Department of Fair Employment and Housing lawsuit and to call for changes in conditions for women and other marginalized groups, in Los Angeles on July 28, 2021.

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Brack's exit follows a lawsuit filed against Activision Blizzard by California's Department of Fair Employment and Housing alleging the company violated equal pay laws and fostered a "sexist culture" within the publisher.

The lawsuit alleges Activision Blizzard paid women less than men despite doing more work, and fired or forced women to quit at higher frequencies than men. The suit also charges that women who worked at the company were subject to constant sexual harassment including groping, comments and advances.

The publisher's initial response to the lawsuit sparked a walkout among employees last week, and an apology from Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick.

"It is imperative that we acknowledge all perspectives and experiences and respect the feelings of those who have been mistreated in any way," Kotick said in a note to employees. "I am sorry that we did not provide the right empathy and understanding."

Follow Brett Molina on Twitter: @brettmolina23.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Blizzard studio head leaving in wake of Activision harassment suit

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