Tom Chilton Switching Projects, Ion Hazzikostas now Game Director

[chaud]

Tom Chilton Switching Projects, Ion Hazzikostas now Game Director
Kalgan is leaving World of Warcraft as Game Director and moving on to another project with Blizzard. Ion Hazzikostas is stepping up as game director!

Greetings fellow WoW players,

It’s been a little over a month since we launched Legion, and it’s been awesome to see players enjoying so many different aspects of the expansion—leveling up their characters and Artifacts, diving into World Quests, taking on the Emerald Nightmare. Legion PvP Season 1 is going strong, and some of the best Arena teams from around the world are competing for a chance to battle on the big stage at BlizzCon.

Soon we’ll be releasing our first new content update for the expansion—Patch 7.1: Return to Karazhan—which opens up the Mythic 5-player Karazhan dungeon, continues the story of Suramar, introduces a new raid, and adds even more World Quests and other content. But that’s just the start of it, as we have what we believe to be an extremely exciting patch plan for the rest of the expansion.

For me, Legion has been more than just another expansion, though—it’s the culmination of more than a decade of work with one of the best development teams I’ve ever had the pleasure to be a part of. And it’s with a mix of excitement, sadness, and gratitude that I’m saying farewell to the WoW team and moving on to a new adventure within Blizzard.

In 2004, before I was fortunate enough to have the opportunity to serve as game director, I started on the World of Warcraft team as a senior game designer. As you can imagine, World of Warcraft was quite a bit different in 2004. Early that year, there were just 60 of us on the team. Around that time in the Friends and Family Alpha, questing was only available up to level 25—for the Alliance only—and the Horde wasn’t playable at all. Some players were even using dial-up modem connections to access the test.

Many on the team still debated on whether the Horde and Alliance should be separated into factions. (We know how that one turned out.) Several other core features of the game didn’t even exist, including raids and PvP. We’ve come a long way since then, with six expansions under our belts to go along with countless raids, dungeons, Battlegrounds, features, and more.

My personal journey working on WoW as Game Director is at an end, but my journey with Blizzard isn’t. I’ll still be here, but will be focusing on another project within the company. However, it’s with great pleasure that I announce Ion Hazzikostas will be taking my place as Game Director for World of Warcraft.

I know that WoW will be in great hands with Ion at the helm. He’s been an integral part of the team for more than eight years and has contributed to so many aspects of the game’s development—from class design to encounter design and nearly everything in between. He also has an amazing team at his side—the same epic crew that brought you all the content you’re enjoying in Legion.

As a member of the WoW team, I can assure you that the future for World of Warcraft continues to be bright—and as a player, I’m excited to discover what’s in store next alongside all of you. World of Warcraft is the product of the passion of both the team and all of its players, so I’d also like to thank each of you for the wonderful journey that working on the WoW development team has been.

Thank you, and may you have many more epic adventures!

[Soulstealing]

Another one bites the dust.

[prwraith]

Oh we are so fucked.

[Alextros]

Another one bits the dust.

He just switches to another project within Blizzard, so not really in my opinion. Being on the same game for 12 years is a long time, so I can understand why he might want to switch to another project

[kydon1328]

Ion is a smart guy and has done some great things for the game. Sad to see Chilton go but the game isn't in bad hands. Curious to know what this new project is!

[barrsftw]

I've always liked Ion. One of the best Devs blizzard has IMO. Not that I didn't like Tom, but I think WoW will be better with Ion at the helm.

[hablix]

I have a feeling this is going to be a good thing.

[Reyzzz]

Ion is a smart guy and has done some great things for the game. Sad to see Chilton go but the game isn't in bad hands. Curious to know what this new project is!

inb4 witcher-like RPG in diablo universe.

[Sylv_]

Great.
More Ashran shit for PvE.
The game is semi pseudo doomed.
Ion is a pure idiot.

[Nero Duskwind]

Oh we are so fucked.

[Bumbac]

2 more expansions and wow is over. Everything is pointing that way.

[Darksoldierr]

I'm more interested about this new secret project. I wonder if its the new Diablo themed game or something entirely different

[Aori]

Lets just hope he doesn't steer the ship back into raid or die.

[Aeluron Lightsong]

And the doomsayers come out of their hole. As per usual.

[Taeldorian]

Oh we are so fucked.

Are you kidding? I'd much prefer Ion over Tom. Now we get to see Ions full potential. I'm excited

[Pawstruck]

Blizzard staffing situation mirrors American political scene, Armageddon is upon us

[Freestyle80]

Oh we are so fucked.

Go away troll

[innerpartycolt]

It is time for old timers to step down from WOW. This game needs fresh blood.

[Taeldorian]

2 more expansions and wow is over. Everything is pointing that way.

MMO-C doomsayers at their best today. Keeping it real.

Seriously though, can't wait for Ion to step up. He's done a great job so far and he's the only one who really spoke truthfully about WoD. He also seems to be the one who has the most excitement towards the game. Can't wait.

Wonder what project Tom switched to. It's obviously something new or they would've said where he's going.

[Deleted]

Perhaps he's moved to work on WOW 2.0 or Warcraft 4?