Former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra has rallied around Xbox boss Phil Spencer following Microsoft’s shock decision to close four of its game studios – including Arkane Austin and Tango Gameworks – saying, “I know this hurts him as much as anyone else.”
Ybarra made the comments on Twitter/X amid widespread condemnation of Microsoft’s move and as anger over the closures continued to grow. “I see a lot of shots at Phil over today’s Xbox announcements,” Ybarra wrote on social media. “I get it. But knowing him as a human, I know this hurts him as much as anyone else. I can’t speak for all of the leadership there, but I do know him and I do know what he is likely going through.”
“I’m not trying to defend the decisions,” Ybarra continued. “I think we all get ourselves into situations that are tough and unexpected (certainly I have). It’s part of the job, as is the accountability for the outcomes. But he’s a good human and he cares deeply for the creative process and developers. That’s my first hand experience in working closely with him for 8+ years and knowing him for 24+.”
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