Johanna Faries on Blizzard’s plan to reconnect with its community

A little over ten years ago, I visited the offices of Blizzard Entertainment for what I believed would be the last time. I was wrong. What followed cannot simply be described as a roller coaster of emotions—ups and downs, readjustments, pivots, cancellations, reinventions—without understating just how turbulent this period has been, not only for Blizzard, but for the video games industry as a whole. Now, on the verge of its 35th anniversary, the studio finds itself at a critical crossroads, looking to reclaim its place not just within the industry, but in the hearts of its community.

This visit had two clear objectives. On one hand, we were invited to see—before anyone else—what the company has prepared for its Overwatch, Hearthstone, and Diablo Spotlights. Before that, however, we had the opportunity to sit down for an exclusive interview with Johanna Faries, president of Blizzard Entertainment. Two years into the role, Faries is guiding the company through a phase defined as much by transformation as by recovery. With the anniversary approaching, her focus extends beyond celebrating Blizzard’s legacy to reshaping how the studio connects with its millions of players worldwide.

BlizzCon returns: A “beacon of joy” in 2026

The absence of an in-person BlizzCon has left a very real void for the Blizzard community. Faries openly acknowledges this “pent-up demand” and hypes that the studio is planning a large-scale reunion in Anaheim to mark the anniversary. But in her view, BlizzCon continues to be what it is at its core — a moment of reconnection between creators and players.

“The keyword there is community. I think we are taking our opportunity very seriously with respect to the demand we’re feeling,” Faries explained. “There’s this hunger both for us as game makers, but us is part of these broader communities around our games to get together again and to gather. And certainly, as we gather, it’s not just about forging bonds, but also people want to come to Anaheim to hear bold, new, fresh, important, significant things.”

Scheduled for September 2026, the return of the live show is intended to be more than a sequence of announcements. It represents a renewed commitment to what has long defined Blizzard: a direct, emotional connection between developers and players. “We want to be able to say, did we bring people together and forge deeper bonds that can be long-lasting if not lifelong and create lifelong memories,” Faries said, emphasizing the emotional weight of the event. “How can this be a beacon of joy, as much as a beacon of exciting announcements about our future?”

The “Spotlight” era: A mix between “when it’s ready” to reliable cadence

While BlizzCon remains the crown jewel, Blizzard is also rethinking how it communicates throughout the year. The introduction of Blizzard Spotlight signals a shift toward a more structured, “relay race” approach to announcements—one designed to maintain momentum instead of relying on isolated bursts of news.

This strategy reflects a broader evolution of Blizzard’s iconic “it’ll be ready when it’s ready” philosophy. Quality remains non-negotiable, but Faries emphasizes the importance of predictability, particularly for players who have grown weary of prolonged content droughts.

“There’s this aspect of our planning now that we take pretty seriously with respect to reliable cadence,” Faries noted. “And there’s no one-size-fits-all model here. What’s true for one franchise might be very, very different for another franchise for a host of different reasons... So we will be agile and we will be bespoke.”

This can only mean a predictable rhythm of content. “If you’re a fan of Blizzard, you’re going to expect something big from us that keeps this spigot running. There’s a rhythm to it, right?”

Honoring the legacy while taking risks

With franchises like Warcraft, Diablo, and Overwatch under its banner, Blizzard faces constant pressure to innovate without alienating long-time fans. When asked about the possibility of revisiting dormant properties such as StarCraft, Faries stressed that the company is thinking “very holistically” about its IP portfolio. The idea, she explains, is to treat Blizzard’s IP as a sandbox—one where nostalgia and experimentation can coexist. That philosophy was recently reflected in the studio’s “Next Chapter” video.

“We can take risks, we can surprise and delight in a lot of different ways,” Faries said. “How do we continue to bring forward wonderful new fresh experiences, but some that might hark in back to longer-standing communities... celebrate the nostalgia and the love that they have for our games while also delighting them in ways maybe they weren’t expecting.”

Beyond games: Entertainment with a “capital E”

Looking beyond traditional game releases, Blizzard is once again exploring ways to expand its universes across other forms of media. Faries revealed that “fruitful conversations” are already underway regarding transmedia projects—what she describes as “entertainment with a Capital E.”

“We share that belief that being multimedia, multi-format is key to success,” Faries stated. “I often remind myself and others, right? Some of Hollywood’s best and brightest worked at Blizzard Entertainment. And so we do think about entertainment with the Capital E... Nothing specific to share right now, but very fruitful conversations across virtually every one of our franchises are taking place as we speak.”

This could point to renewed interest in film, television, or other linear formats, building on Blizzard’s long-standing strengths in cinematic storytelling and publishing.

As 2026 begins, the message from Blizzard’s leadership is clear: the studio is preparing to open its gates once more—both digitally and in person—ushering in what it hopes will be a bold new chapter for both the company and its community.

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