Jen Oneal has stepped down from her position as co-leader of Blizzard, leaving Mike Ybarra as the pinnacle of the studio recognized for making Overwatch, World of Warcraft and Diablo. Oneal will quickly transition to a brand new place, however will depart Activision Blizzard (wonderful, and King) on the finish of the yr.

Activision Blizzard is dealing with a handful of lawsuits and investigations into studies of sexual harassment, gropings, and systemic gender discrimination on the studio, stemming from the management down. Oneal and Ybarra took over as co-leaders of Blizzard in August after president J. Allen Brack was named within the authentic California lawsuit, resulting in his dismissal. Oneal was the primary girl in a president position since Activision’s founding in 1979.

Oneal revealed an open letter to the Blizzard neighborhood, studying partially as follows:

I’ve made the choice to step away from co-leading Blizzard Entertainment and can transition to a brand new place earlier than departing ABK on the finish of the yr. Effective instantly, Mike Ybarra will lead Blizzard. I’m doing this not as a result of I’m with out hope for Blizzard, fairly the alternative — I’m impressed by the eagerness of everybody right here, working in direction of significant, lasting change with their entire hearts. This vitality has impressed me to step out and discover how I can do extra to have video games and variety intersect, and hopefully make a broader business impression that may profit Blizzard (and different studios) as nicely. While I’m not completely certain what kind that may take, I’m excited to embark on a brand new journey to seek out out.

After months of strain from workers, shareholders and authorities companies, Activision Blizzard ended its coverage of pressured arbitration in circumstances of sexual harassment and discrimination, and applied a zero-tolerance method to harassment on the studio. The authentic California lawsuit is ongoing.

Blizzard introduced two massive delays alongside information of Oneal’s departure: Overwatch 2 and Diablo IV, neither of which was given a launch window.