Ex-Blizzard president reportedly wanted to reboot Overwatch and reduce Diablo 4 microtransactions, but left before either of those things happened

GamesAction RpgDiabloEx-Blizzard president reportedly wanted to reboot Overwatch and reduce Diablo 4 microtransactions, but left before either of those things happenedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. GamesAction RpgDiabloEx-Blizzard president reportedly wanted to reboot Overwatch and reduce Diablo 4 microtransactions, but left before either of those things happenedWhen you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. When you purchase through links on our site, we may earn an affiliate commission.Here’s how it works. (Image credit: Blizzard Entertainment) It’s claimed that former Blizzard president Mike Ybarra wanted to bring about some massive changes to hero shooter Overwatch, as well as reduce microtransactions in action RPGDiablo 4before his departure from the company earlier this year. PC Gamer reportsthat in Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier’s new book about Blizzard, it’s mentioned in the final chapter that Ybarra was planning to “reboot Overwatch,” which sounds like a pretty enormous deal. It’s not clear what form this might have taken – after all, Overwatch 2 has only been out for two years (less than that when Ybarra was still at Blizzard), and it straight-up replaced its predecessor. Attitudes about Overwatch 2 haven’t always been, uh,fantasticsince its launch – the hero shooter is still tarnished with a ‘Mostly Negative’ rating on Steam after arough start last summer– so perhaps a reboot could have helped give it a fresh start? Then there’s Diablo 4, and Ybarra’s supposed old plans to “cut down” on its microtransactions. It’s fair to say that the action RPG has had its fair share of microtransaction-related controversy since its launch, mainly revolving around just how expensive some of them are. Back in February, players criticized the arrival of a $30 bundle which, as well as including $10-worth of Platinum (in-game currency),offered a selection of portal recolors. That’s a lot of money for some fresh colors, and although this came after Ybarra had already left the company, perhaps it was these sorts of things he apparently wanted to change? Anyway, if these planswerereal, Ybarra never saw them happen, as he left the company back in January this year at the same time asan enormous wave of Microsoft Gaming layoffs. Whether anyone else at Blizzard could be thinking of taking them on in his stead or if they’ll just be lost for good is another matter, but it’s certainly strange to imagine what apparently could have become of two of Blizzard’s heaviest hitters. Former Blizzard president wants to be able to leave a “tip” after completing $70 games: “I wish I could give these folks another $10 or $20.” Sign up to the GamesRadar+ Newsletter Weekly digests, tales from the communities you love, and more CATEGORIESPC GamingPS5PS4Xbox Series XXbox OneNintendo SwitchPlatformsPlayStationXboxNintendo CATEGORIES PRODUCTSOverwatch 2Diablo 4 PRODUCTS More about diabloDiablo 4 DLC director is “sticking to my guns” on the dungeon you can’t enter unless you have friendsDiablo boss gets ratio’d for saying we should “normalize ‘Diablo-like’ for ARPGs that follow the Diablo formula,” “much like ‘Souls-like’ and ‘Rogue-like’“Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► More about diabloDiablo 4 DLC director is “sticking to my guns” on the dungeon you can’t enter unless you have friendsDiablo boss gets ratio’d for saying we should “normalize ‘Diablo-like’ for ARPGs that follow the Diablo formula,” “much like ‘Souls-like’ and ‘Rogue-like’“Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► More about diabloDiablo 4 DLC director is “sticking to my guns” on the dungeon you can’t enter unless you have friendsDiablo boss gets ratio’d for saying we should “normalize ‘Diablo-like’ for ARPGs that follow the Diablo formula,” “much like ‘Souls-like’ and ‘Rogue-like’” More about diablo Diablo 4 DLC director is “sticking to my guns” on the dungeon you can’t enter unless you have friendsDiablo boss gets ratio’d for saying we should “normalize ‘Diablo-like’ for ARPGs that follow the Diablo formula,” “much like ‘Souls-like’ and ‘Rogue-like’” Diablo 4 DLC director is “sticking to my guns” on the dungeon you can’t enter unless you have friends Diablo 4 DLC director is “sticking to my guns” on the dungeon you can’t enter unless you have friends Diablo boss gets ratio’d for saying we should “normalize ‘Diablo-like’ for ARPGs that follow the Diablo formula,” “much like ‘Souls-like’ and ‘Rogue-like’” Diablo boss gets ratio’d for saying we should “normalize ‘Diablo-like’ for ARPGs that follow the Diablo formula,” “much like ‘Souls-like’ and ‘Rogue-like’” Latest26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time"See more latest► Latest 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an authentic rally experience for the hardware of the time” 26 years later, Codemasters' Chris Southall talks Colin McRae Rally: “We wanted to do something that was an 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now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension"2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package"3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure"4Indiana Jones and the Great Circle review: “The best adventure Indy has embarked on in over 30 years"5Marvel Rivals review: “So preoccupied with trying to be like Overwatch that it forgets to play to its own strengths"1Sonic the Hedgehog 3 review: “Keanu Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show"2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie"3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action"4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien"5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite"1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE 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place as one of the best shows on television right now"2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat"3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses"4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist"5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” GAME REVIEWSMOVIE REVIEWSTV REVIEWS 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 1 Nemesis review: “A magical sense of tension” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 2 Arcs review: “A whole lot of game in a small package” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark adventure” 3Path of Exile 2 review: “A stellar start to a thrilling and brutal dark 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Reeves as Shadow is wasted whilst Jim Carrey steals the show” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 2 Mufasa: The Lion King review – “It’s no Hakuna Matata but this Disney origin story is a class above the 2019 movie” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 3 Kraven the Hunter review: “The insistence on an R-rating helps save this, with a decent helping of bloodthirsty action” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 4 The Lord of the Rings: The War of the Rohirrim review – “An uninspired expansion of the most iconic screen take on Tolkien” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 5 Nightbitch review: “Amy Adams' disappointing dark comedy is all bark and no bite” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 1 Squid Game season 2 review: “Secures its place as one of the best shows on television right now” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 2 Doctor Who 2024 Christmas special review: “Ncuti Gatwa is as magnetic as ever in this delightful festive treat” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 3 Secret Level review: “An uneven experience with serious highlights that ultimately make up for the misses” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 4 Skeleton Crew review: “Perfectly captures the vibes of classic Star Wars with a swashbuckling twist” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands” 5 Creature Commandos review: “James Gunn’s heartwarming, R-rated tale about super-monsters proves that the DCU is in good hands”