Jeff Kaplan
Reporting and statements that mention Jeff Kaplan.
Latest coverage
Former Overwatch Boss Jeff Kaplan Has Some Advice For Gamers Who Complain About Games They'll Never Play: 'Shut the F*** Up. No One Cares' - IGN
Former Overwatch boss Jeff Kaplan shared his candid advice for gamers who complain about titles they have no intention of playing, stating they should "shut the f*** up" as "no one cares." Kaplan, who is now working on a new game called The Legend of California, expressed frustration with the negativity in gaming culture and advocated for more positive engagement with games.
Free Steam Game Lets You Practice WoW Raid Boss Fights Without The Stress
A free PC game called Vellum: Raid Night Study Hall is available on Steam, allowing players to practice boss mechanics from World of Warcraft's upcoming Midnight expansion without the stress of a live raid. Developed by Alvios Games, it uses assets from their roguelike Vellum and features eight practice encounters with dynamic tips and an in-game codex. This initiative follows similar fan-made practice tools for previous expansions.
Former Overwatch director has sage advice for those who complain about games they don't play: "Shut the f**k…
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan shared his views on legitimate game criticism, stating that individuals who have not played a game should refrain from tearing it down. He believes that only those with firsthand experience can offer informed opinions, though he acknowledges nuance for fans reacting to changes in beloved games. Kaplan also touched upon his upcoming game, The Legend of California.
Jeff Kaplan On Gamers Who Criticize Games They Haven't Played: "Shut The F*** Up!"
Former Blizzard VP Jeff Kaplan shared strong opinions on gamers who criticize titles they haven't played, stating they should "shut the f*** up." During a 10-hour livestream showcasing his new game, The Legend of California, Kaplan emphasized that opinions from non-players are ignored by developers. The Legend of California is an open-world, action-survival shooter set during the gold rush era, currently available to wishlist on Steam.
Jeff Kaplan Discusses His Departure from Blizzard - GameHaunt
Jeff Kaplan detailed his departure from Blizzard Entertainment in April 2021, citing pressure from a senior finance executive to meet revenue targets or face 1,000 layoffs. He described a significant cultural shift at Blizzard from a creative environment to a profit-driven one, culminating in a "f&ck you moment" with the CFO. Kaplan has since founded Kintsugiyama and is working on The Legend of California.
MMO Week in Review: Pre-seasoning Elder Scrolls Online
This week's MMO news roundup covers updates for Elder Scrolls Online, World of Warcraft's Midnight expansion, and previews for Final Fantasy XIV and Palia. The article also discusses player tendencies to rush MMORPG expansions and features opinions on various titles and industry issues, including comments from Jeff Kaplan regarding Activision Blizzard.
Overwatch co-creator claims he was told if game didn’t hit certain revenue goals “we’re gonna lay off a 1000 people and it’s gonna be on you”
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan revealed that he was threatened with layoffs of 1,000 employees if Overwatch 2 did not meet specific revenue targets. Kaplan stated that unreasonable expectations placed on the Overwatch League contributed to his departure from Blizzard Entertainment.
Jeff Kaplan Reveals Shocking CFO Ultimatum That Ended His Blizzard Career
Former Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan revealed that a CFO's ultimatum regarding revenue targets for Overwatch was the primary reason for his departure from Blizzard Entertainment in 2021. This ultimatum, which threatened 1,000 layoffs if targets weren't met, is seen by the community as a catalyst for Overwatch 2's monetization issues and a symptom of broader industry toxicity.
Out of the Blue
Jeff Kaplan appeared on Lex Fridman Podcast #493 to discuss his new venture, The Legend of California. This marks Kaplan's first public appearance and discussion since leaving Blizzard Entertainment.
Project Helix dev kits not going out until 2027 | TAG
Microsoft has revealed that developer kits for its next-generation console, codenamed Project Helix, will not be released until 2027, featuring custom AMD chips with advanced ray tracing and upscaling capabilities. Separately, a surprise public playtest for Secret Door and Dreamhaven's Shadowstone has launched, Nintendo is preparing an update for Pokémon Pokopia, and Square Enix has surprise-launched Bravely Default Flying Fairy HD on Xbox Series X/S and PC. Additionally, Jeff Kaplan explained his departure from Blizzard, and deals for Nintendo Switch and Switch 2 consoles and games are available.
Jeff Kaplan Calls Activision Exit His Biggest ‘F**k You Moment’
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan described his 2021 exit from Activision Blizzard as his biggest 'f**k you moment,' suggesting deep dissatisfaction with the company's direction and workplace conditions during a period of significant crisis. His departure and subsequent comments highlight ongoing issues within the gaming industry regarding creative control and developer treatment.
'It was supposed to be the greatest time ever': Jeff Kaplan only got 6 weeks to come up with and pitch Overwatch: 'We were probably the most demoralised we'd ever been'
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan revealed that the team had only six weeks to develop and pitch the game after the cancellation of the MMO Titan. Despite the immense pressure and demoralization, the team was tasked with creating a game that could ship in two years and achieve World of Warcraft-like revenue. Ultimately, Overwatch was chosen as the most realistic pitch, with elements inspired by old Titan concepts and even Call of Duty: Modern Warfare 2.
Overwatch Vet Jeff Kaplan On AI: "The Human Spirit Is Irreplaceable"
Game industry veteran Jeff Kaplan, formerly of Blizzard Entertainment and now leading the development of The Legend of California, shared his views on artificial intelligence in game development with Lex Fridman. Kaplan described current AI as "mostly a hot mess" but acknowledged its potential for handling tedious tasks, citing an example where ChatGPT resized 2,000 images for his studio Kintsugiyama. He emphasized that while AI can assist with mundane work, the "human spirit is irreplaceable" in creative endeavors.
Former Blizzard VP Jeff Kaplan likens AI scraping to "stealing," says "the human spirit is irreplaceable"
Former Blizzard vice president Jeff Kaplan shared his views on artificial intelligence in a podcast with Lex Fridman, likening AI data scraping to theft and emphasizing the irreplaceable nature of the human spirit in game development.
Kolla in The Legend of California – ett överlev guldrushen-fps från Overwatch-folk
The Legend of California, a new western-themed first-person shooter developed by former Overwatch staff including director Jeff Kaplan, is set to enter early access on PC in 2026. The game focuses on survival and crafting during the California Gold Rush era.
Overwatch Vet's New Game, The Legend Of California, Won't "Starve The Player" Early On
Jeff Kaplan, former Blizzard veteran and director of Kintsugiyama studio, has shared new details about their upcoming game, The Legend of California. The first-person shooter multiplayer game aims to quickly immerse players in its core mechanics, such as shooting and exploration, without prolonged periods of simple tasks. The game will launch in early access, with developers emphasizing community involvement to refine the experience before its 1.0 release.
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan on what led him to leave Blizzard Entertainment
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan stated that his departure from Blizzard Entertainment was due to the Overwatch League and corporate mismanagement. He believes these factors contributed to the game's decline.
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan on what led him to leave Blizzard Entertainment
Overwatch co-creator Jeff Kaplan stated that his departure from Blizzard Entertainment was due to the Overwatch League and corporate mismanagement. He believes these factors contributed to the game's decline.
New Survival Game The Legend of California Announced and is Being Headed Up by Former Overwatch Lead Director, Launching on PC via Early Access in 2026 | Console Creatures
Kintsugiyama, a studio led by former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan, has announced The Legend of California, a multiplayer-focused action survival first-person shooter. The game is set in an alternate timeline gold rush California and will launch on PC via Early Access in 2026 on Steam and Epic Games Store. The publisher is Dreamhaven, co-founded by former Blizzard CEO Mike Morhaime.
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan's favorite hero is Reinhardt, and reveals his charge was inspired by Left 4 Dead 2: 'It's what separates a great Rein from a sh*tty one'
Former Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan revealed that Reinhardt was his main hero and that his shield ability was inspired by Left 4 Dead 2. Kaplan stated that Reinhardt's shield design was crucial for team-based gameplay and has since been widely adopted by other hero shooters.
