Blizzard co-leader Jen Oneal stepping down after just three months in role

Jen Oneal, who joined Blizzard as new co-leader back in August, has announced she’s stepping down from the role and will leave Activision at the end of the year to explore “how I can do more to have games and diversity intersect”.

Oneal, formerly the boss of Crash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy studio Vicarious Visions, was hired as Blizzard co-leader alongside Mike Ybarra following the departure of Blizzard president J. Allen Brack – who left amid the fallout from the State of California’s ongoing lawsuit alleging sexual harassment, discrimination, and a “frat boy” work culture at the company.

“I am doing this not because I am without hope for Blizzard,” Oneal wrote of her decision to step down on Activision’s website, “quite the opposite. I’m inspired by the passion of everyone here, working towards meaningful, lasting change with their whole hearts.”

“This energy has inspired me to step out and explore how I can do more to have games and diversity intersect,” Oneal continued, “and hopefully make a broader industry impact that will benefit Blizzard (and other studios) as well. While I am not totally sure what form that will take, I am excited to embark on a new journey to find out.”