Former Creative Director of Blizzard Licensing before retiring, Chris Metzen returns as a creative consultant.
twenty-three years at Blizzard. A role as Senior Vice President of Story and Franchise Development. This was the list of Chris Metzen at Blizzard in 2016, when he was ending his career.
John Hightmanaging director, announced on his social networks that it was planned that Chris Metzen takes over a role of creative consultant on the license World of Warcraft.
“It is with great joy that I announce the arrival of Chris Metzen in the management team of Warcraft as a creative consultant. Chris will first work on World of Warcraft, before expanding his work on other aspects of this franchise. »
John Hight does not fail to mention the liabilities of Chris Metzen with the license Warcraftwhich he has accompanied since its beginnings in 1994. He was then working on the illustrations and the design of the manual of Warcraft: Orcs and Humans. Its role will expand over time. On Warcraft II: Tides of Darknesshe works on the fictional universe as well as the quests of the game.
It’s with Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos what Chris Metzen takes on the role of creative director. He then has a say in all aspects of the game, from the concept to the script. He is a little more behind on the MMORPG World of Warcraft strictly speaking. This does not prevent him, once again, from taking on various roles: he is responsible, in part, for writing the script, illustrations, and even various dubbing.
So why come back after having had such an influence, and decided it was time to bow out? In reality, one can assume that the universe of Warcraft never really left the mind of Chris Metzen.
When we look closely at his career at Blizzard, it seems obvious that he is a figure very appreciated by the players, yet he left because of anxieties due to his position in the company.
“I think I did a big burn out during those years. From the bottom of my heart, I think I needed to change my life. I wanted to slow down, I just didn’t want to carry that burden anymore. […] I started having panic attacks constantly, and continued anxiety. I think I’ve always had it, I just didn’t know what it was then. »
Indeed, before and after his departure, Chris Metzen regularly spoke about the anxiety-provoking atmosphere that players who were increasingly difficult to satisfy were weighing on the profession.
He is particularly tired of how easy it is for Internet users to come across creative people: he had thought of Christie Goldenwhose work he greatly admires and had long hoped that she would join the team of World of Warcraft.
However, it seems that he cannot give up the license: beyond some dubbing work, it was during Blizzcon 2018 that he made a remarkable intervention, asking a question about the return of the “real warlord” of the Horde.
There is no doubt that it was then difficult for him to imagine his return in 2022 on the license. However, faced with the uncertainty to which World of Warcraft has to face in recent years following the revival of Final Fantasy XIVthe return of one of Blizzard’s most beloved creatives is sure to be a big plus.
It is certain that this more limited consulting role will enable Chris Metzen to continue working on his heart license, while preserving his health.