Former Blizzard president, Mike Ybarra, has come to the defense of Xbox head, Phil Spencer, amidst a wave of criticism following the closure of four studios under Microsoft’s Xbox Game Studios. Ybarra, who recently departed Blizzard as part of the mass layoffs in the gaming division, expressed empathy for Spencer, suggesting that the closures likely had a strong emotional impact on him.
In a post on X, Ybarra acknowledged the negative reaction towards Spencer and Xbox leadership, but highlighted Spencer’s personal investment in the creative process and his deep concern for creators. Drawing on his years of working closely with Spencer, Ybarra portrayed a leader genuinely caring about the industry and its creative minds.
While Ybarra did not explicitly defend the decisions leading to the studio closures, he emphasized the challenges inherent in leadership roles and the tough decisions they entail. Despite any disagreements he may have had with Spencer’s decisions during his time at Xbox, Ybarra remained confident in Spencer’s leadership and commitment to steering Xbox towards a bright future.
Looking ahead, Ybarra expressed hope for Xbox and its teams, emphasizing the need for clarity regarding the company’s future plans and a renewed sense of excitement among players. Despite current challenges, Ybarra remains optimistic about Xbox’s potential and the opportunities ahead for its teams.
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