Jeff Kaplan, the former lead of Overwatch, revealed that he faced significant pressure from Blizzard during his tenure, particularly in relation to the financial demands of the Overwatch League. He was reportedly issued an ultimatum by the company’s CFO at the time, which essentially stated that if Overwatch did not meet specific revenue targets, there could be significant layoffs, potentially impacting up to 1,000 developers.

In a conversation with podcaster Lex Fridman, Kaplan described this moment as one of the most challenging experiences of his career, referring to it as a turning point that adversely affected both his professional trajectory and personal well-being. While Kaplan was unable to disclose the exact revenue expectations due to a non-disclosure agreement that’s still binding, he indicated that the pressure was much greater than what is typically felt in live service game development.

According to Kaplan, the influx of investment into the Overwatch League created complications that went beyond standard game production challenges. The resources allocated to enhance the spectator experience, including features like Twitch integration and a dedicated spectator camera, contributed to the strain. He stated that those pitching the Overwatch League to investors promised an unprecedented venture that would revolutionize the industry.

“There was so much hype around the Overwatch League—perhaps too much,” Kaplan explained. “The excitement generated made it seem like a guaranteed success to the investors. They presented it in a flashy way, making bold claims about its potential to rival major sports leagues like the NFL.”

Initially, the business model relied on live events, ticket sales, and merchandise to generate revenue. However, it quickly became apparent that coordinating events across global teams, such as those from London and Shanghai, posed logistical challenges that hindered their execution. The merchandise sales were good but not sufficient to match the lofty expectations set by the investors.

Kaplan expressed that plans for Overwatch were drastically altered as a result of this pressure. Instead of focusing on enriching the game experience with new heroes, maps, and live events, the team was forced to concentrate on meeting the financial demands associated with both Overwatch and its esports component.

Looking back, Kaplan shared his emotional attachment to Blizzard: “I always thought I would spend my entire career there, and I never imagined a day would come when I wouldn’t be a part of it. It was heartbreaking to leave.” He acknowledged that the particular CFO he referred to is no longer with the company.

Currently, Kaplan is collaborating with a small team at the independent studio Kintsugiyama. They have recently announced an open-world survival game titled The Legend of California, which is expected to enter Early Access later this year.