Jeff Kaplan
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Massively OP Podcast Episode 558: The Legend of Justin’s Gold
The Massively OP Podcast episode 558 covers various MMORPG topics including Palia's content expansions, Star Wars: The Old Republic's new story, Jeff Kaplan's upcoming Wild West game, and previews for Final Fantasy XIV and World of Warcraft. Hosts Bree and Justin also discuss playing Guild Wars 2 on the Steam Deck.
Jeff Kaplan Tells Gamers to ‘Shut Up’ About Games They Won’t Play
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan has sparked controversy by telling gamers to "shut up" about games they won't play, arguing that developers receive excessive criticism from non-players. While some developers and gamers support his stance against bad-faith feedback, others criticize his unprofessional and dismissive approach, fearing it could stifle important conversations about game design and accessibility.
Jeff Kaplan recounts development of Project Titan as a game that ‘could never ship and would never exist’
Former Blizzard director Jeff Kaplan discussed the troubled development of Project Titan, an MMORPG that was eventually scrapped and reformed into Overwatch. Kaplan revealed that he recognized the project's insurmountable issues as early as 2009 and urged management to shut it down in 2010 to prevent further financial loss.
Our idea of Azeroth could have looked very different, because Jeff Kaplan said he 'really wanted WoW to be first-person' in its early days: 'I argued a lot for that'
Former Blizzard vice president Jeff Kaplan revealed that he strongly advocated for World of Warcraft to be a first-person game during its early development. He believed a first-person perspective would have fostered a greater appreciation for character art and player interaction, drawing parallels to his experience with EverQuest.
Jeff Kaplan is sick of hearing you demonize games you weren't going to play anyway: 'Shut the f**k up. No one…
Former Blizzard VP Jeff Kaplan expressed frustration with online discourse surrounding games, stating that people who haven't played a game should not voice negative opinions about it. He believes such criticism is unproductive and stems from 'nerd baby rage.' Kaplan, now leading his independent studio Kintsugiyama, also reflected on his departure from Blizzard and his newfound freedom to speak candidly.
"Shut the f*ck up, no one cares" - former Overwatch boss Jeff Kaplan slams "nerd baby rage"
Former Overwatch boss Jeff Kaplan has criticized what he calls "nerd baby rage" from game communities, urging players who dislike a game they haven't played to "shut the f*ck up, no one cares." Kaplan, now working on his new game The Legend of California, stated that developers often ignore overly hostile feedback, finding it unproductive.
World of Warcraft would've been a first-person MMO in the EverQuest-inspired world of Overwatch's Jeff Kaplan:…
Former Blizzard director Jeff Kaplan revealed that he advocated for World of Warcraft to be a first-person MMORPG during its development. He views his upcoming game, The Legend of California, as an indirect realization of that original vision, drawing inspiration from his experience with EverQuest.
Jeff Kaplan's new game, The Legend of California, may have big Rust energy, but don't think it's a cowboy-filled clone
Jeff Kaplan's upcoming game, The Legend of California, draws inspiration from Rust but is not a direct clone. Kaplan has emphasized the distinctions between the two titles, suggesting a unique gameplay experience despite shared influences.
Quoteworthy
Jeff Kaplan argues that players should refrain from complaining about games they have no intention of playing. He suggests that this behavior is unproductive and detracts from the enjoyment of the gaming community.
Morning Postmortems/Retrospectives
Jeff Kaplan described the development of Blizzard's unreleased MMO Titan as a "disaster" that ultimately led to its cancellation. The article also references a video detailing the collapse of Disco Elysium's development.
"You've got to shut this down" - Jeff Kaplan recalls the "disaster" of Blizzard MMO Titan's development
Former Blizzard designer Jeff Kaplan described the cancelled MMO Titan as a "disaster" born from hubris following World of Warcraft's success. The ambitious project, intended to feature a dual-world structure with secret agent and business simulation elements, suffered from a lack of cohesion and clear direction, ultimately costing Blizzard an estimated $83 million before its cancellation in 2013. Kaplan admitted leadership, including his own, was ultimately responsible for the failure, with elements of Titan later influencing Overwatch.
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.