I have been around the Blizzard Entertainment community since 2001 (at age 28) when I played StarCraft, and shortly after in 2003 — Blizzplanet was born. Now at age 43, I am fully immersed in Blizzard’s worlds. I have played all their video games and expansions. I have read all their novels (StarCraft, Warcraft, Diablo). I have grown attached to many of the developers that I have either met and interviewed in person at various events, and others I have only followed online through these years.
One always inpired me, and sated my hunger for more lore: Chris Metzen.
As an anecdote, back in 2008 I was not invited to the StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty press event. I emailed Chris Metzen on a Friday. Less than 24 hours later, Blizzard PR reached out to set my flight and hotel reservations to fly to Irvine. To my surprise, I got to interview Chris and thank him in person.
A few months later, at BlizzCon, I was sitting in the press area (mostly empty) and I hear someone calling me: “Hey, Tom!” I look to my left, and it was Chris Metzen waving at me. That meant the world to me as a fan. Later in 2009, I interviewed Chris at the NY Comic Con about World of Warcraft: Arthas, and in 2012 about Transformers: Autocracy.
I’ll truly miss him. He’s been a heart-close figure. Family.
I have seen many developers come and go, especially these past few years. However, I have to say the ONE I am deeply going to miss is Chris Metzen. He is the soul of Warcraft. Beyond that… the soul of the Blizzard community.
The Star Wars’ “George Lucas.”
The Hobbit’s “J.R.R. Tolkien.”
The Star Trek’s “Gene Roddenberry.”
The Marvel’s “Stan Lee/Jack Kirby.”
The D&D’s “Gary Gygax.”
In short, the one (as fans) we consider the father of the Warcraft lore, one way or another, and other Blizzard franchises. He will be forever present through his works.
Witnessing his retirement hurts my soul deeply — because of what it means for all of us in terms of future stories by him, not seeing him at BlizzCon panels, watching him jam his thoughts in the Collector’s Edition Behind-the-Scenes DVD, or interviews. On the other hand, I’m glad for Chris and Kat. They recently had a baby. Family comes first.
Wish you the best and many blessings, brother!
Note: Very likely you will find words from Chris Metzen in the WARCRAFT BLU-RAY/DVD (Sept 27). Order now.
I had just turned twenty years old when I started working at Blizzard. Seems like a lifetime ago. Guess it was. Those first few years were the start of a very grand adventure for me, one that would take me around the world, introduce me to thousands of wonderful geeks just like me—and ultimately shape the course of my adult life.
Of course when I started, I had absolutely no idea what I was doing. I had no idea how to make games or build entertainment products.…
But I had an insatiable passion for ideas. For stories. For heroes.
My only real training before joining Blizzard was the long-running D&D campaign I had with my closest friends—Sam, Mike P., Daniel, and Mikey C. (you know who you are, boys…HAMRO!). Building ideas—vast worldscapes, characters, and plotlines with my friends was my first great love. I lived for it. It was a safe space amid the tension and change of some rough teenage years. The grand refuge of D&D was a glorious meeting of minds and imaginations where I felt I truly belonged.
It was a space where friendship and imagination were inextricably linked.
The sharing of ideas on the fly, the crazy, unexpected turns other players would take—it stretched our imaginations in ways we’d never have dreamt of on our own. I loved how roleplaying through adventures taught us so much about each other—and, more often than not, ourselves. Imagining together helped us make sense of the crazy world we were growing up in. It made us stronger together.
I wouldn’t really understand the depth of it for many years, but I had learned an important truth from my friends back then:
Creativity is relational.
Looking back at my years at Blizzard, I see now how profoundly this idea has shaped my career. I see how profoundly my friends and coworkers at Blizzard have shaped me as a person.
For nearly twenty-three years I’ve had the very distinct privilege of shaping worlds and building games with the brightest creative minds in entertainment. I’ve walked with giants (and stood on some giants’ shoulders, too).
In short, I’ve had the time of my life.
I pretty much had the coolest job ever—but the truth is, sometimes it was really hard. Building games with dozens of brilliant, passionate alpha-geeks with their own red-hot instincts and perspectives can be pretty tricky. Coming to consensus about certain design decisions, story motifs, or courses of art direction takes a lot of communication, patience, and “give and take.” It stretches you. Sometimes it wasn’t all that pretty. But engaging with your teammates and collaborating through the potential quagmire of all that creative tension is where the real magic happens.
It’s not just the decisions you come to—or even the final shape of the product you craft.… It’s bigger than that—and infinitely more important. True collaboration builds trust—and trust is the basis of all lasting relationships. With trust you build more than just a great product.
You build a TRIBE…that can build anything.
A family of craftsmen.
That’s what Blizzard has been for me. My second family, through all of life’s ups and downs, it’s always been there. The great, geeky backdrop of my life. I don’t just mean “the job” or even the creative mission—but the people. The people who over and over lifted me up, believed in me—and pushed me to find my potential as both an artist and as a leader all these years.
To my Blizzard brothers and sisters…I wish I had the words.
Everything just sounds…trite.
All I can think of is…
You helped me believe in myself and achieve every one of my wildest dreams.
I am forever grateful to you.
I love you all with everything I’ve got.
Thank you.
And to all of you out there in Blizzard’s vast gaming community—those of you I’ve had the pleasure of meeting in person and all of you around the world I’ve only heard about—thank you.
Thank you all for letting me be a special part of your community. For letting me belong with you. We’ve shared countless adventures together and I’ve always been overwhelmed and humbled by your passion for our games as well your commitment to each other. Thank you for all the BlizzCon hugs, smiles, handshakes, and stories over the years. You will never know how much you’ve all touched my heart and inspired me to give my all into this craft.
With that said, I’ll try to get down to the point, here. I’ve come to a turn in the road. A new, far quieter chapter in my life looms ahead.
I am retiring.
Yup.
Hangin’ up my guns.
Clockin’ out.
Takin’ the last gryphon out of Stormwind.
You get the picture.
Crazy, I know.
It’s a massive change for me, but it’s one I’ve been looking forward to for a while now. It’s ironic given the fact that things have never been better or more energized at Blizzard. Just this year alone has been incredible.
Legion’s arrival.
The launch of Overwatch.
The Warcraft feature film.
I’ve never been more proud of Blizzard and the quality of its products than I am now. It’s remarkable that even after all these years we can still reach new heights and take the world for an amazing ride. I believe Blizzard’s future is brighter than ever.
I won’t lie—it’s going to be really hard stepping away from these worlds that I love. But I’m content that I’m leaving them in the hands of the most passionate, talented, and dedicated craftsmen ever assembled.
I can’t wait to see where Blizzard’s worlds go next—and to experience them first-hand like everyone else does. As a fan. As an adventurer. Right back to the start.
That’s just so cool…
The reason I use the word “retire” is because I’m not going to some other company or starting up new projects or anything remotely like that. It’s been a long, amazing stretch of years. Now it’s time to slow it down. Rest. Lay around on the couch and get fat. Well, fatter.…
Seriously though, I’ll be focusing on the one thing that matters most to me in all the world—my family. They’re the core of my life and the source of my deepest joy and inspiration. In addition to raising our two little ones, we recently welcomed our new baby into the family! Being home with them all, having time and space to really live…to love my wife with all my strength…that’s my career now.
And I’ve never been happier.
Ever. ☺
Peace out, y’all.
I love you all.
I’ll see you online.
Chris
