WoW lead designer starts new project

Author: Joe Martin
Published: 13th February 2009
Comments (11) Stumble
WoW lead designer starts new project

Jeff Kaplan was one of the lead designers on World of Warcraft, but has now started work on something else.

Jeff Kaplan, one of the two lead designers for Blizzard's obscenely successful MMORPG, World of Warcraft has announced that he is leaving the development team for WoW and starting work on something new.

Contrary to some rumours though, the Blizzard designer will be staying with the company and is just starting work on Blizzard's next MMO project.

"I wanted to take a moment to let the community know that I've switched roles here at Blizzard to work on our upcoming, unannounced MMO," said Kaplan on the official World of Warcraft forums.

"I still plan to be very involved with the future course of WOW, but will leave the day to day operations of WOW to my partners in crime, Tom Chilton and J. Allen Brack."

Kaplan has long been a prominent figure in the history of the game, having been recruited to Blizzard after a chance in-game meeting with design chief Rob Pardo while playing Everquest.

Kaplan's particular specialities on WoW were the design of quests, dungeons and establishing the complex lore that fills Azeroth, so his departure is sure to be noticed by long-time fans. Hopefully Blizzard's next project will feature the same attention to detail and Kaplan will be able to great an MMO that's even more involving.

Are you hopeful that Blizzard's next MMO will be of equal quality to WoW, or do you doubt that even Blizzard is able to replicate that kind of success? Let us know your thoughts in the forums.
Quote Flibblebot 13th February 2009, 12:51
World of Starcraft? :D
Quote veryevil 13th February 2009, 12:55
No its World of World of Warcraft http://www.theonion.com/content/video/warcraft_sequel_lets_gamers_play
Quote Aterius Gmork 13th February 2009, 13:42
If only Warcraft 4 would earn as much money as yet another MMO, then they might actually make it.
Quote Redbeaver 13th February 2009, 14:40
Quote:
Originally Posted by veryevil
No its World of World of Warcraft http://www.theonion.com/content/video/warcraft_sequel_lets_gamers_play

ROFLMAO!!!
Quote lp1988 13th February 2009, 16:27
Quote:
Originally Posted by Redbeaver
Quote:
Originally Posted by veryevil
No its World of World of Warcraft http://www.theonion.com/content/video/warcraft_sequel_lets_gamers_play

ROFLMAO!!!

+1
Quote Mentai 13th February 2009, 17:06
I don't think it will get 9 million users but it will let Blizzard keep those 9 million, and give room for growth. I don't think they're splitting the market either, there are a ton of WoW players that want to move onto something else. I think those players would go for a Blizzard game first, so they might as well make it for them.
I'm more excited by Biowares efforts at this stage though, I really hope they make something great.
Quote liratheal 13th February 2009, 19:02
World of Grindcraft - a return to WoW, pre-expansion.
Quote BioSniper 13th February 2009, 22:47
*crosses fingers for Starcraft third person/first person shooter mmo*
Quote Bladestorm 14th February 2009, 00:28
If they're starting it now, they should be just about ready to launch about the time that starcraft II is finished ? :P
Quote boiled_elephant 16th February 2009, 22:09
Quote:
Originally Posted by Aterius Gmork
If only Warcraft 4 would earn as much money as yet another MMO, then they might actually make it.

...and it would rock my pants. Will never happen though.

I keep trying to play Warcraft III and frozen throne, but the graphics have aged so badly I just can't get into them. It's annoying, because the lore of the WoW universe is great.
Quote Faelsun 25th February 2009, 20:50
If it has Tom Chilton or Jeff Kaplan's name on it you bet your ass an army of people will Avoid this crap.
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