‘I Just Sort of Disconnect’ — Jeff Kaplan is Avoiding Overwatch at all Costs
AI-summarised brief · reviewed before publication
Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan, long‑time public face of Blizzard’s hero shooter, says he has completely cut himself off from any online discussion of the game. In a GameSpot interview, Kaplan revealed he stopped playing Overwatch in April 2021 and deliberately avoids subreddits, YouTube videos, and algorithmic recommendations to protect his mental health. He likens the separation to his earlier “clinical” break from World of Warcraft, noting that leaving WoW was emotionally harder because the title defined his identity as a developer. Kaplan now runs his own studio, developing an open‑world action‑survival title called The Legend of California, and stresses that Overwatch belongs to its current players and developers. He also warned critics of games they never play to keep quiet.
💡 Why It Matters
- · Kaplan’s self‑imposed exile underscores how deeply personal brand association can affect creators, prompting a rare public acknowledgment of the psychological toll of flagship IP stewardship.
