Take a look at the careers of the game director of Diablo III, and you can see why Blizzard and/or Diablo fans may have been upset to learn today that he had been fired. The Diablo III director, David Brevik, had joined Blizzard back in the day with a resume that included a track record of some of the biggest hits in the industry. His resume includes the original Diablo, a well-regarded sequel, and titles like the cult-classic MMO World of Warcraft.
Diablo IV’s new game director has had a pretty rocky history after being hired. It’s claimed he was fired due to a “bloody” disagreement with creative director Jay Wilson over the direction of the game and then Diablo IV’s director departed completely, leaving the game’s senior producer as the sole person working on Diablo IV. Blizzard didn’t give any details about either sacking, but we’ve heard the team is being reorganized.
This morning, one of the most respected game developers in the industry, the Diablo franchise’s chief creative officer (CCO), and the game director for Blizzard’s much-anticipated fourth major installment in the franchise, Diablo IV, were all suddenly let go by their respective employers.
Blizzard has let go of many more high-profile employees this week, according to Kotaku: Luis Barriga was the game director on Diablo IV, while Jonathan LeCraft and Jesse McCree were designers on World of Warcraft.
A Blizzard representative informed Kotaku, “We can confirm Luis Barriga, Jesse McCree, and Jonathan LeCraft are no longer with the business.” “We already have a strong, skilled team of developers in place, and new leaders have been appointed where necessary. We are confident in our capacity to continue making progress, provide incredible experiences for our gamers, and move ahead to guarantee a safe and productive work environment for everyone.”
While Blizzard didn’t specify why the three were departing, it’s safe to assume it has something to do with the company’s pledge to successfully weed out middle-managers who fostered the “frat boy culture” detailed in the lawsuit, which has been the biggest news in gaming for the past three weeks. Jonathan LeCraft and Jesse McCree were both shown in pictures of the “Cosby suite” mentioned in the complaint; another developer seen in the photos, Cory Stockton, seems to still be employed by the business. Blizzard hasn’t said if McCree’s name would be removed from the Overwatch character that carries it.
Mike Morhaime, Chris Metzen, Jeff Kaplan, Ben Brode, Dustin Browder, Omar Gonzalez, Dave Kosak, Kevin Dong, Michael Chu, David Kim, Eric Braddock, Glenn Rane, Brandy Camel, Tim Morten, Ray Gresko, Frank Pearce, Chris Sigaty, and, of course, Alex Afrasiabi have all left Blizzard for various reasons in the last few years. The most noteworthy resignation occurred just a week ago, when J. Allen Brack was ousted from his position as CEO.
Additional reading:
• Activision-Blizzard shareholder group slams company’s reaction to crisis, wants board change • Blizzard reportedly fired three additional important developers, including Diablo IV’s game director Blizzard employees discuss the negative effects of boycotts, while fans bemoan the game’s steep fall . • Activision-Blizzard: Frances Townsend steps down from one studio position, Jeff Kurtenacker leaves • Diablo community manager describes poor pay, a sexually hostile atmosphere, and abuse at Blizzard • Activision-Blizzard sexism scandal day 17: More esports sponsors contemplate leaving Overwatch League • Activision-Blizzard sexism scandal day 18: More esports sponsors consider ditching Overwatch League Blizzard may live on, but it will never be Blizzard again, according to the patch notes. • • Q2 2021: Activision sales are up, Blizzard MAUs are down amid sexism controversy • Activision-Blizzard Day 14: Brack and Meschuk departures, fraud lawsuit, proto-union, and Q2 financials By not working at Blizzard, the gamer in the notorious BlizzCon video claims she “dodged a bullet.” • Former ArenaNet co-founder Jeff Strain pushes for game dev unionization ahead of today’s investor call • Blizzard’s J. Allen Brack resigns ahead of today’s investor call • Has Blizzard’s sexism lawsuit changed your gaming plans? • WoW Factor: Why does this latest Blizzard scandal feel so different? • Blizzard Day 9: Ubisoft stands in solidarity, Ashes of Creation buys Blizzard workers lunch • Activision-Blizzard walkout organizers respond to Kotick, Kotaku exposes ‘Cosb’ Does Every Voice Matter at Blizzard? Massively OP Podcast Episode 332: Does Every Voice Matter at Blizzard? • Blizzard employees are planning a strike over a sexism controversy, and the World of Warcraft team is addressing the playerbase. • Casually Classic: Deciding whether or not to leave World of Warcraft The sexism issue at Blizzard continues, with 2500 developers signing a letter criticizing Acti-reaction. Blizz’s MMO Week in Review: The Blizzard You Thought You Knew Has Passed Away • Blizzard’s culture of “abuse, inequity, and apathy” has been apologized for by Chris Metzen. ‘I am very sorry that I failed you,’ Mike Morhaime says to female Blizzard employees. The World of Warcraft Factor: No monarch can reign forever Activision pushes down on deflection as J Allen Brack confronts Blizzard employees over sexism controversy Furious World of Warcraft gamers conduct a protest against Activision Blizzard • California has filed a lawsuit against Activision-Blizzard for discrimination and a misogynistic, poisonous workplace atmosphere.
Kotaku is the source of this information. Thank you, Angel.
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Blizzard has been making headlines for all the wrong reasons lately. Earlier this month we reported that the company was in the process of replacing several key figures at the company, including the leaders of the Diablo, Starcraft, and World of Warcraft franchises. According to a report from Kotaku, Blizzard has replaced Diablo IV director Jay Wilson, Starcraft II director Chris Sigaty, and Diablo III senior game designer Thomas weifenbach. This is not the first time Blizzard has had to replace a high profile employee. Senior level developers like Rob Pardo and Frank Pearce were both forced to leave the company after being accused of sexual harassment.. Read more about diablo 3 release date and let us know what you think.
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