Former Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan has detailed his strategy for maintaining his mental well-being following his departure from Blizzard Entertainment, which involves a complete avoidance of online discussions and content related to the game. Kaplan, who was a prominent figurehead for Overwatch for many years, left Blizzard in 2021 to found his own studio and develop a new open-world shooter.
In a recent interview, Kaplan stated that he has not played Overwatch since April 2021 and actively avoids reading subreddits, watching YouTube videos, or searching for his name or the game online. He described this as a "clinical separation" to protect his psyche, a lesson learned from his previous experience leaving the World of Warcraft team.
Kaplan explained that leaving World of Warcraft was emotionally difficult because the game was deeply intertwined with his identity as a game developer. In contrast, his departure from Overwatch was less painful because he recognized that the game, as an intellectual property of Blizzard, belonged to the players and the development team currently working on it. He stated, "Both the players and the developers, that’s their Overwatch now. They’re making it, they own it, they play it. I’m onto this new thing, and that’s where I’m at in my life."
Since leaving Blizzard, Kaplan has been vocal about his views on the gaming industry. He has previously offered sharp criticism towards players who complain about games they have not played, stating, "If a game comes out, and you don't want to play it, and you've never played it? Shut the f*** up. No one cares." He also revealed in March that a particular meeting at Blizzard was the "biggest f*** you moment" of his career, shedding light on his reasons for leaving the company.