Key information
Former Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan has completely distanced himself from the hero shooter since his departure from Blizzard in April 2021. In a recent interview with GameSpot, Kaplan revealed that he actively avoids all content related to the title, including videos and community discussions.
Kaplan described his exit as an almost clinical separation, a mindset shaped by his earlier experience leaving the World of Warcraft team in 2008. He noted that the process of stepping away helped him realize that the project ultimately belonged to the team and players rather than himself.
To maintain this disconnect, Kaplan explicitly instructs digital algorithms to stop suggesting Overwatch-related material. He stated that he does not search for his own name or the game itself, preferring to move past his tenure at the company.
Currently, Kaplan is working with former developer Tim Ford at a new studio. They are developing an open-world survival game titled The Legend of California, which Kaplan describes as a personal project intended to be a unique creation rather than a continuation of his previous work at Blizzard.
