It is certainly a very very sad day for millions of World of Warcraft players, and the Blizzard community in general. Community manager Bashiok (formerly Drysc) announced he is departing Blizzard Entertainment.
It touches the hearts of many, including fansites who have one way or another interacted with him in person, email, or skype. I met him in person many years ago around 2008-2009 in Paris, France during the Blizzard Worldwide Invitationals where Diablo III was announced. Always a huge smile or a smirk, he has inspired many. He’s funny, playful, and has done a heck of a job. He’s a legendary CM, along with Nethaera and Zarhym; and others who joined team later.
Bashiok joined Blizzard about 12 years ago, and so that you know how profound our love for him is — Blizzplanet has been around the same length of time (2003).
You will be missed by the community and fansites, Bashiok. We love you, and you have enlightened and touched our lives and gaming spirit. You are part of us. Family. We wish you the best, brother.
We hope you prosper and keep doing what you love to do most: safekeeping the community and playing games. Those who find it in their hearts to send your best wishes visit the following Twitter thread.
I could pretty easily write a few thousand words right now, but I did my best to keep this brief.
I began working at Blizzard way back in October of 2003, and every day of my experience here has been shared with you, the players, and content creators, artists, bloggers, AddOn authors, podcasters, streamers, forum trolls, and— man, anyone remember the old Off-Topic forum back in the day? That place was just absolutely cuckoo bananas.
Anyway, Blizzard—and the community that surrounds it—has defined almost my entire adult life, and I am just so absolutely grateful to all of my friends here for having such an incredible and positive impact on who I am, and who I am yet to become. I don’t think I’ve had to make any decisions as difficult as the one to leave Blizzard, but a new opportunity has come my way, and I’ve decided to take it.
While I think it’s all still sinking in, the other day I realized I actually get to be surprised by Blizzard announcements and releases again. Which, as a lifelong fan and rabid gamer it makes me giddy thinking about being able to sit in the audience at BlizzCon, watching a stream, or reading the newest blog posts, and seeing whatever’s in store next—for the first time.
I’m looking forward to what’s next, and wishing you a life of joy, insatiable curiosity, and happy gaming.
Definitely thankful,
Bashiok (Source)
