Blizzard Addresses Diversity, Equity, and Inclusion in Summary of a Tumultuous Year

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Introduction to Blizzard’s Year-End Review

On December 22, 2023, Blizzard Entertainment released its comprehensive end-of-year review highlighting the significant strides made in reshaping the company’s culture. The publication of the report coincides with an announcement of significant leadership changes at their parent company.

Blizzard’s Commitment to Culture and Diversity

Blizzard’s president, Mike Ybarra, emphasized the comparison between the ongoing development of the company’s culture and their approach to game creation. He expressed that 2023 has been a pivotal year for learning and growth, reflecting the company’s dedication to generating innovative ideas through diverse initiatives and programs, including appointing Pamela Burga as the new DE&I officer.

A Year of Challenges and Changes for Blizzard

The past year has been eventful for Blizzard, marked by the end of their partnership with NetEase, which led to the loss of access for Chinese players to its games. In a mid-year transparency report, Blizzard disclosed receiving 114 reports of harassment, discrimination, and retaliation in 2022, with 31 cases being substantiated. The culmination of the year saw Microsoft finalize its acquisition of Activision Blizzard King after overcoming regulatory challenges, alongside the departing CEO Bobby Kotick set to leave his position at the year’s end.

Blizzard’s Gaming Statistics and Community Impact

Blizzard also released fascinating gameplay statistics alongside their cultural updates. A staggering 1 billion characters have been created across Diablo and World of Warcraft, with 150,000 Battle.net accounts remaining active for over a quarter of a century. Additionally, the World of Warcraft community has commendably raised $1.5 million for the BlueCheck Ukraine initiative.

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