Blizzard's Chris Metzen retires at ripe age of 42

[Syt]

http://www.pcgamer.com/blizzard-legend-chris-metzen-has-announced-his-retirement/?utm_content=buffer927d1&utm_medium=social&utm_source=facebook&utm_campaign=buffer_pcgamerfb

Blizzard legend Chris Metzen has announced his retirement

Chris Metzen, Senior VP of Story and Franchise Development at Blizzard, has announced his retirement from the company after 23 years. As one of the most public-facing figures at the studio, Metzen is known for his work across the Diablo, Warcraft and Starcraft series', and also served as creative director on Overwatch.

Metzen announced the move in a blogpost on the battle.net forums. "For nearly twenty-three years I've had the very distinct privilege of shaping worlds and building games with the brightest creative minds in entertainment," Metzen wrote. "I've walked with giants (and stood on some giants' shoulders, too). In short, I've had the time of my life."

The amicable departure is not, apparently, in preparation for a new career move. Metzen is really retiring. "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," he wrote. "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."

Metzen leaves at a pretty good time for Blizzard: Overwatch is burning along just fine, and World of Warcraft's Legion expansion has been well-received.

[Liep]

That's my planned retirement age too, though I'm sure his financial situation makes it more realistic than mine.

[celedhring]

My guess is that he'll get itchy feet and be back at it in a few years.

[Caliga]

Yep.

[Valmy]

Yep.

Not everybody is you Cal.

[Grey Fox]

He'll do something else just like the Doctors of Bioware are doing now.

[LaCroix]

hopefully he's gone for good

[Valmy]

He'll do something else just like the Doctors of Bioware are doing now.

Aren't they brewing craft beer or something now?

[Grey Fox]

He'll do something else just like the Doctors of Bioware are doing now.

Aren't they brewing craft beer or something now?

Yes, I think so.

[Valmy]

He'll do something else just like the Doctors of Bioware are doing now.

Aren't they brewing craft beer or something now?

Yes, I think so.

Basically a hobby. They are no longer feeling pain. The pain of dealing with Bioware's toxic and psychotic fanbase anyway. I know the rather over-the-top response to Dragon Age II killed their enthusiasm.

[Grey Fox]

Everything is a hobby when you are wealthy like those guys but it is still not retirement.

[Tamas]

Everything is a hobby when you are wealthy like those guys but it is still not retirement.

Of course it is. There must be a huge qualitative difference between doing a work/business just for the heck of it because your finances are sorted for life, or because you and your family face an uncertain future if you don't

[Phillip V]

That's my planned retirement age too, though I'm sure his financial situation makes it more realistic than mine.

What is Metzen's net worth, and how old is his wife?

[Habbaku]

  Good for him.  Wish I could do the same.

[Legbiter]

My guess is that he'll get itchy feet and be back at it in a few years.

Yeah.