Blizzard’s president says the studio is targeting one or two major game launches per year as it ramps up under Xbox — “Our fans are hungry.”

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Johanna Faries, the president of Blizzard Entertainment, aims for the company to release two major games each year while concentrating on its existing franchises. In a recent Bloomberg interview, Faries, who took on her role in January 2024 after managing the Call of Duty franchise at Activision Blizzard King, outlined her long-term vision – planning for the next five years. She emphasized the potential for growth within Blizzard’s established game worlds.

Faries stated the priority is to maximize the value of their current franchises, though she didn’t rule out exploring new games in the future. She wants to establish a consistent release schedule to keep fans engaged and excited about what’s coming next, with at least one or two significant launches per year.

Regarding a reported 30% margin requirement imposed by Microsoft on Xbox, Faries didn’t provide specifics. However, she expressed confidence in the support from Microsoft Gaming CEO Phil Spencer and president of game content and studios Matt Booty, stating they are committed to Blizzard’s success and trust in the company’s talent.

Blizzard already has two big launches set for the first half of 2026

Blizzard has two major releases planned for early next year. The World of Warcraft expansion, Midnight, will launch on March 2, 2026. Diablo 4 will receive its second expansion, Lord of Hatred, on April 28, 2026, adding a new story and two new playable classes, including the Paladin, which is available for those who pre-order. It makes you wonder what Blizzard has planned beyond that, as it seems unlikely new expansions for both Diablo 4 and World of Warcraft will be ready in 2027. Could we see them release completely new games?

As a researcher following Blizzard’s recent announcements, I’m curious whether their projected release pace is realistic. It feels ambitious, and I’m wondering if they can maintain that speed without compromising the quality of their games. I’d really like to hear what everyone else thinks – what are your expectations for Blizzard’s upcoming releases? I’ve put together a quick poll to gather your thoughts, so please share your opinion!

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2025-12-20 18:09