Kaplan Says He Hasn't Played Overwatch Since April 2021
In a GameSpot interview, the former Overwatch director says he avoids the game's subreddits and YouTube videos and is working on a western action title at his new studio, Kintsugiyama.
Jeff Kaplan, the former director of Overwatch, said in an interview with GameSpot that he has not played the game since April 2021. He added that he does not read Overwatch subreddits, watch Overwatch YouTube videos, or search for the game, and that he tells recommendation algorithms he is no longer interested in it to keep what he described as a healthy separation.
Kaplan compared himself to Uncle Rico, the character from Napoleon Dynamite who remains fixated on his high school football days, when discussing his past with Overwatch.
He said he is now working on a western action game called The Legend of California at his new studio, Kintsugiyama.
Departure and what followed
Kaplan left Blizzard and later described the exit as the 'biggest fuck you moment' of his career, after an Activision Blizzard executive threatened layoffs if Overwatch did not make enough money. Aaron Keller stepped into the director role after his departure.
Overwatch was announced at BlizzCon 2014, and in April 2021 Echo was the last hero added to the game before Kaplan left. At BlizzCon 2019, Kaplan pitched Overwatch 2 as a PvE-driven game with a campaign and replayable missions. Earlier this year, the game dropped the '2' from its title after a soft reboot with a new storyline and a focus on story updates.
Quick answers
When did Jeff Kaplan last play Overwatch?
Kaplan said he has not played Overwatch since April 2021.
What is Jeff Kaplan working on now?
He said he is working on a western action game called The Legend of California at his new studio, Kintsugiyama.