Odds on Ion Hazzikostas Being Named Executice Producer of WoW?

[Kazdum]

In the military this would be called failing upwards. Normally most companies don't follow this trend since you don't get kicked out if you are passed over for promotion a set amount of times.

No, that happens alot, it even has a name: The Dilbert Principle:

The Dilbert principle refers to a 1990s theory by Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams stating that companies tend to systematically promote their least competent employees to management (generally middle management), to limit the amount of damage they are capable of doing.

[Joathen]

Watching that Brack and Ion video all I can say is how the fuck does a company so massive as Blizzard put such inarticulate and non-enthusiastic schmucks on camera to instill hype? Like, holy shit, find a decent front man who can actually drum up some excitement and show some energy.

[plaits]

Depending on when it was filmed, it could have been a result of what a shit show the last month and a half has been for the game's rep.

Brack probably holds Ion personally responsible.

that was prerecorded, god knows when they recorded it.

Ion was on vacation (like many, many devs; it was a common week to take vaca at blizzard) when it went live.

[Trumpcat]

I think Ion and J. Allen Brack dont like each other at all and J. Allen will look for ways to get rid of Hazzikostasmillions immediately. Also, he will look for ways to sabotage the vanilla classic project so he can "I told you so" to all the nostalgia nerds.

That's not how business works.

[toychristopher]

I don't really care, I don't care about this company anymore outside of their art team.

Chris Robinson for executive producer!

[yamix]

Producer is a very different job. Seems unlikely.

[khazmodan]

That's not how business works.

Business textbooks set up systems that don't account for personal chemistry but it is there and it affects success, failure and the creation of malice.

[Trumpcat]

Business textbooks set up systems that don't account for personal chemistry but it is there and it affects success, failure and the creation of malice.

You are correct, but cancelling a project in the works, officially announced and advertised, based on personal chemistry is just unfeasible for a multi-billion business.

[MoanaLisa]

You are correct, but cancelling a project in the works, officially announced and advertised, based on personal chemistry is just unfeasible for a multi-billion business.

They aren't going to cancel Classic WoW.

If anything perhaps Brack's idea about pristine servers might get another look as a side alternative for retail. That would make me very happy.

[plaits]

Everyone who thinks Blizzard hate classic WoW should listen to the very good podcast done by Countdown to Classic where they interview one of the Nostalrius guys who went to the meeting with Blizz. They're actually super keen.

[tangers58]

In the military this would be called failing upwards. Normally most companies don't follow this trend since you don't get kicked out if you are passed over for promotion a set amount of times.

One of the more idiotic things done in the military, and one of the biggest reasons they have manpower shortage. Discharging a Specialist who is excellent at his job because he wouldn't be as good at the next level is completely moronic.

[Slowpoke is a Gamer]

Ion doesn't strike me as someone to just drop everything and take over a new role. Especially when the team is still knee deep in fixing Azerite.

Sorry folks hoping he gets promoted as far away from the game as possible.

[TheramoreIsTheBomb]

Depends on if Ion wants it. Ion might like his role right now where he gets to be way more hands on.

Alex might get it.

Alex Afrasibai may leave WoW soon.

[digichi]

Watching the pax story session thing, it seems that Ion probably excels when he's given a specific duty and has input from higher-ups (like when he was on class design). It's clear his job is now just being the manager, saying good job to ppl working and guiding the vision. That is probably not utilizing his skillset to the max but I guess the longer you are at blizzard and can handle responsibility, they just bump you up and teach you your new job. And I don't envy him being thrown into the helm right after the mess that was WoD.

[Slowpoke is a Gamer]

Alex Afrasibai may leave WoW soon.

Promotions can incentivize people to stay who otherwise wouldn't...

[Nefarious Tea]

No, that happens alot, it even has a name: The Dilbert Principle:

The Dilbert principle refers to a 1990s theory by Dilbert cartoonist Scott Adams stating that companies tend to systematically promote their least competent employees to management (generally middle management), to limit the amount of damage they are capable of doing.

The reality is no less stupid than the dilbert principle implies and much less active, but no less aggravating.

People are good at their job, so they get promoted. This keeps happening until they're in over their head, and therefore incompetent. They essentially fail to the top.

[plaits]

Alex Afrasibai may leave WoW soon.

I finally got around to finishing the Christie Golden BfA tie-in novel yesterday and I noticed that she personally thanked a bunch of Blizzard people but not Alex. Wouldn't the creative director be someone she would be working closely with? Made me wonder. If he stays at Blizz most people seem to be jumping ship from WoW to the unannounced projects. Maybe he will too.

As for who gets promotions, I think the problem is when people who are good at a certain professional skill (eg in the case of Ion, being head of encounter design) get promoted based on that skill but those skills have no relevance to management at a higher level.

[Broken Fox]

Did you even watch the Blizzcon 2018 preview with Ion and J. allen?



I think Hitler and Stalin would have been more comfortable in a room together...

They’re both just awkward dudes. Most of the WoW has always been that way except for Metzen.

[Weeps]

Watching that Brack and Ion video all I can say is how the fuck does a company so massive as Blizzard put such inarticulate and non-enthusiastic schmucks on camera to instill hype? Like, holy shit, find a decent front man who can actually drum up some excitement and show some energy.

Agree. All they have to do is look for a streamer that loves wow and understands how to hype because s/he actually plays the game

[darklogrus]

Ion an Allen proved over an over they are the wrong choices for the job..