Jeff Kaplan is a legendary Blizzard lead game designer of World of Warcraft and Overwatch, now preparing to launch a new game, The Legend of California, from his new studio Kintsugiyama - available to
Hearing Jeff talk about being young, lonely, wrestling with alcohol and depression is so relieving to hear. It’s hard not to despair when you’re so deep in a lifestyle like this.
Jeff, if you are reading this, thank you and the OW team for your work on creating genuinely my favorite gaming experiences and the game that forged bonds with my friends that have lasted almost a decade. I hope you are well and continue to do well where ever you go.
I love that at 19:48 he's talking about books that influenced him, and instead of saying "Green Hills of Africa", Jeff says "Green Hills of Stranglethorn." You can tell how much passion he put into that quest and how ingrained it is in him. Love this guy.
It's rare that you watch a 5 hour long podcast and are left wanting for more.
That was a great conversation and a great look into the behind the scenes at Blizzard.
I remember Jeff as Tigole, The Milkman of Norrath. He was later our guild leader in LOS. I have not played with a more selfless, just straight up good dude. He didn't get upset when I gave away all my raid resist gear to newbies for a trick or treat Halloween event. In fact he helped. He spent hours going around zones passing out milk to other players. It's good to see him on here and doing well, some 27ish years after we first played together. Thanks for the memories brother! - The Man in the Purple Pants.
I had the privilege to work with Jeff for almost 9 years while at Blizzard, from Titan to Overwatch. I learn so much from this guy, but as an artist, there is one thing I always remember and it hit me hard and deep.
Jeff in a lead's meeting once said:" I think we should feel privileged we had such a great and talented art team, the best way we can support them is by letting them doing their jobs and enjoy their great work. "
I left Blizzard around similar time, different reasons, but I feel you Jeff, what a journey. I wish you all the best. See you in space, cowboys!!
This was so necessary... People needed to know, and Jeff deserved to speak freely and peacefully... Thank you for letting this happen.
And Thank you Jeff for giving us insight for all those who cared... 🧡
Thank you for listening ❤ Check out our sponsors: lexfridman.com/sponsors/ep493-sa
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
0:00 - Episode highlight
1:27 - Introduction
4:07 - Early games: Pac-Man, Zork, Doom, Quake
18:33 - Writing career - 170 rejection letters
34:06 - EverQuest obsession
47:04 - Getting hired at Blizzard
1:02:32 - Lowest point in Jeff's life
1:08:37 - One of Us
1:12:54 - Early Blizzard culture
1:32:36 - Building World of Warcraft
1:50:20 - How WoW changed video games
2:07:42 - Single-player vs Multi-player
2:28:35 - How Blizzard made great video games
2:54:25 - Online toxicity
3:01:59 - Why Titan failed
3:19:09 - Overwatch in six weeks
3:46:07 - Best Overwatch heroes
3:54:37 - The challenge of matchmaking
3:58:01 - Rust
4:08:22 - Why Jeff left Blizzard
4:30:35 - Diablo IV
4:32:03 - Getting back to making video games
4:40:59 - The Legend of California
4:54:44 - Greatest video game of all time
5:02:51 - AI and future of video games
Transcript:
lexfridman.com/jeff-kaplan-transcript
CONTACT LEX:
Feedback - give feedback to Lex: lexfridman.com/survey
AMA - submit questions, videos or call-in: lexfridman.com/ama
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That was a great conversation and a great look into the behind the scenes at Blizzard.
Jeff in a lead's meeting once said:" I think we should feel privileged we had such a great and talented art team, the best way we can support them is by letting them doing their jobs and enjoy their great work. "
I left Blizzard around similar time, different reasons, but I feel you Jeff, what a journey. I wish you all the best. See you in space, cowboys!!
And Thank you Jeff for giving us insight for all those who cared... 🧡
See below for timestamps, transcript, and to give feedback, submit questions, contact Lex, etc.
0:00 - Episode highlight
1:27 - Introduction
4:07 - Early games: Pac-Man, Zork, Doom, Quake
18:33 - Writing career - 170 rejection letters
34:06 - EverQuest obsession
47:04 - Getting hired at Blizzard
1:02:32 - Lowest point in Jeff's life
1:08:37 - One of Us
1:12:54 - Early Blizzard culture
1:32:36 - Building World of Warcraft
1:50:20 - How WoW changed video games
2:07:42 - Single-player vs Multi-player
2:28:35 - How Blizzard made great video games
2:54:25 - Online toxicity
3:01:59 - Why Titan failed
3:19:09 - Overwatch in six weeks
3:46:07 - Best Overwatch heroes
3:54:37 - The challenge of matchmaking
3:58:01 - Rust
4:08:22 - Why Jeff left Blizzard
4:30:35 - Diablo IV
4:32:03 - Getting back to making video games
4:40:59 - The Legend of California
4:54:44 - Greatest video game of all time
5:02:51 - AI and future of video games
Transcript:
lexfridman.com/jeff-kaplan-transcript
CONTACT LEX:
Feedback - give feedback to Lex: lexfridman.com/survey
AMA - submit questions, videos or call-in: lexfridman.com/ama