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Chris Metzen, the previous senior vp of story and franchise growth at Blizzard, has returned to Warcraft, and this time it is for actual. Blizzard introduced in the present day that Metzen has taken on a “full-time position” as the chief artistic director of the Warcraft universe.
Metzen had a protracted and storied profession at Blizzard, and was one of many firm’s most seen figures, identified for his work on main recreation collection together with Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo. He was the artistic director on the World of Warcraft MMO and a few of its hottest expansions, together with The Burning Campaign, Wrath of the Lich King, and Cataclysm, and held the identical position for the multiplayer FPS Overwatch.
He introduced his retirement from recreation growth in 2016, the identical yr Overwatch got here out, saying he needed to take a while to deal with his household. He finally determined to strive his hand at board recreation growth with a 2021 challenge referred to as Auroboros: Coils of the Serpent, and in 2022 he dipped his toes again into the Warcraft waters by taking over the position of “artistic advisor” on the Warcraft collection. His new job appears like will probably be far more hands-on.
“We’re excited to share that Chris Metzen has taken on a full-time position as Govt Inventive Director of the Warcraft universe,” Blizzard introduced on Twitter. “Proper now, his mane focus is supporting our World of Warcraft management in crafting the subsequent era of adventures.
“Chris was instrumental in creating the foundations of the Warcraft universe, and we’re thrilled for him to re-join our groups in shaping what’s to return. At BlizzCon, he and the group shall be sharing what we have been engaged on. We hope to see you there!”
Metzen teased that reveal in his personal tweet saying his comeback. “It has been wonderful engaged on Warcraft once more,” he wrote. “Like coming residence. The tales we’re creating proper now—how the world unfolds over the subsequent few years… Properly, I can not anticipate y’all to see the place we’re headed.”
It is a portentous remark: Many gamers anticipate Blizzard will unveil a brand new World of Warcraft growth at BlizzCon. Starting with Wrath of the Lich King in 2008, WoW expansions have dropped at a charge of 1 each two years, with the latest, Dragonflight, arriving in 2022. That makes 2024 the presumed goal for the subsequent growth, which inserts with a BlizzCon 2023 reveal in November.
Metzen’s return to Warcraft comes at a time when Blizzard is in flux. Final-minute downgrades to Overwatch 2 left followers unhappy and indignant, whereas Diablo 4 stumbled badly at launch and continues to be struggling to seek out its footing. Blizzard additionally by no means appeared to totally get well from the allegations of widespread discrimination and sexual harassment on the firm, one thing Metzen apologized for in 2021: He was by no means publicly implicated in any wrongdoing, however stated that he and different individuals in management positions at Blizzard “failed too many individuals after they wanted us as a result of we had the privilege of not noticing, not participating, not creating essential area for the colleagues who wanted us as leaders.”
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