Chris Metzen has been a part of Blizzard for over two decades, and now, he’s retiring. Yeah, I’m just going to give you a moment to let that sink in.
Sad, right? What makes this news even worse is that Metzen is proper retiring, as in, he wants to kick back and relax (i.e. he won’t be working on any games in future). He explained why in a post over on Battle.net:
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.
Metzen has had his hand in just about every Blizzard franchise since way back in 1994. He’s worked on Diablo, Warcraft, StarCraft, and more recently, Overwatch (as the creative director). He also happens to be the voice of Thrall, and many, many other characters.
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.
No, thank YOU Chris. You’ve given millions of gamers fantastic worlds to get lost in, and you will be sorely missed!
Last Updated: September 13, 2016
Johann
September 13, 2016 at 10:03
End of an era in gaming
Ottokie
September 13, 2016 at 10:04
Damn that’s not good. I hope Holinka does not move up cause then we have some bad times ahead for blizz
James Anderton
September 13, 2016 at 13:40
Not really the same roles.
Chris helped build the lore and story of Blizzard games for over 20 years.
Holinka does PvP for World of Warcraft (And a pretty crap job at it IMO).
Dane
September 13, 2016 at 10:16
gg wp
Hargrim
September 13, 2016 at 10:22
Lok’Tar Warchief
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September 13, 2016 at 10:33
^^^^
Ottokie
September 13, 2016 at 10:23
I am going to miss him. He did absolute wonders for WoW and Overwatch
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September 13, 2016 at 10:33
Best of luck to you sir, and thanks for all the fish!
The Order of the Banana
September 13, 2016 at 11:14
I’ve had a love-hate relationship with Blizzard, but this guy gets a thumbs up from me. Enjoy the retirement sire!
MalikaiZA
September 13, 2016 at 11:35
GG Chris
For the Emperor!
September 13, 2016 at 12:04
Luckily Jay Wilson left earlier this year so there is no fear that Chris will be replaced by that moron!