We're thrilled to announce the return of GamesBeat Next, hosted in San Francisco this October, where we will explore the theme of "Playing the Edge." Apply to speak here and learn more about sponsorship opportunities here. At the event, we will also announce 25 top game startups as the 2024 Game Changers. Apply or nominate today!
Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan announced today that he is leaving Blizzard Entertainment after 19 years with the company. Aaron Keller will become the new director for Overwatch 2.
Kaplan gives no word on his future plans or any reason for his departure.
“It was truly the honor of a lifetime to have the opportunity to create worlds and heroes for such a passionate audience,” Kaplan notes in a short goodbye message posted on Blizzard’s site. “I want to express my deep appreciation to everyone at Blizzard who supported our games, our game teams, and our players. But I want to say a special thanks to the wonderful game developers that shared in the journey of creation with me.”
This departure could make many Overwatch fans anxious. Kaplan is a beloved figure in the community thanks to his calming soft voice, kindness, and willingness to poke fun at himself. Overwatch is also in something of an awkward spot as fans wait for Overwatch 2, which doesn’t have a release date.
Event
GamesBeat Next 2023
Join the GamesBeat community in San Francisco this October 24-25. You’ll hear from the brightest minds within the gaming industry on latest developments and their take on the future of gaming.
The original Overwatch launched in 2016 and became a huge hit, attracting over 50 million players. Updates to the team-based shooter have slowed significantly (outside of the usual seasonal events) as the development team shifted focus on Overwatch 2, which Blizzard announced in November 2019.
“We’ll be sharing more frequent updates about Overwatch 2 progress and new features in the live game with you all very soon,” new Overwatch 2 director Keller notes in the Blizzard post announcing Kaplan’s departure.
Keller was a founding member of the Overwatch team. He is also a veteran of Blizzard of 18 years, having also worked on World of Warcraft.
GamesBeat's creed when covering the game industry is "where passion meets business." What does this mean? We want to tell you how the news matters to you -- not just as a decision-maker at a game studio, but also as a fan of games. Whether you read our articles, listen to our podcasts, or watch our videos, GamesBeat will help you learn about the industry and enjoy engaging with it. Discover our Briefings.
