Jeff Kaplan, the former game director of Overwatch and a prominent figure at Blizzard Entertainment for 19 years, has shared insights into his departure from the company in 2021. He recently appeared on the Lex Fridman podcast, discussing his experiences and the circumstances that led to his exit.
Corporate Pressures and Overwatch League
Kaplan revealed that his decision to leave was significantly influenced by corporate meddling and the overwhelming pressures from Activision Blizzard. He pointed to the Overwatch League, which launched in 2017, as a major turning point. Kaplan described the league as a “house of cards,” stating that it was a “great idea with the wrong instincts.” He noted that the excitement surrounding the league was overhyped, leading to unrealistic expectations from team owners and investors.
The Strain of Development
With billion-dollar investments flooding into the league, the demands for new features began to strain the development team. Kaplan mentioned that the pressure to integrate Twitch functionality, manage broadcasts, and create team uniforms took focus away from essential game updates and the development of Overwatch 2. “All your plans at that point kind of go out the window,” he stated, highlighting how the team was forced to prioritize immediate demands over long-term development goals.
A Defining Moment
Kaplan recounted a pivotal meeting with an Activision Blizzard executive that ultimately led to his resignation. He was presented with a financial ultimatum regarding Overwatch‘s revenue targets, which included threats of significant layoffs if those targets were not met. “That was just the biggest fuck you moment I’ve had in my career,” he said, emphasizing the surreal nature of the situation.
Life After Blizzard
Since leaving Blizzard, Kaplan has been working on a new project titled The Legend of California, a multiplayer, action-survival FPS set during the gold rush era. His new studio, Kintsugiyama, is collaborating with Dreamhaven, a publisher founded by former Blizzard executive Mike Morhaime. Kaplan expressed a sense of relief in moving on, stating, “I literally thought I would retire from the place. I never thought the day would come, and that was it. I was like, We’re done here.”
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