Posted in: Blizzard, Games, Video Games | Tagged: blizzard

Blizzard Co-Founder Frank Pearce Announces Departure

Published Fri, 19 Jul 2019 18:10:13 -0500

Some shocking news from Blizzard today as co-founder Frank Pearce has announced he will be departing the company after 28 years. The word came down in the form of an announcement on their website, specifically saying that he's leaving to "pass the torch" and not retiring or departing the company on any bad terms. We have a snippet of his post below, but the main link above has reactions from his co-workers as well. No word yet as to whether this is effective immediately, or if he'll stick around to at least do something with BlizzCon 2019.

Blizzard Co-Founder Frank Pearce Announces Departure — credit//Blizzard

My journey as part of the Blizzard community began over 28 years ago. Allen offered me an opportunity to join him and Mike in their adventure and dream to make video games. Video games were a passion that we shared, and I had only a fleeting hope that I would have the opportunity to make games one day. The decision was easy for me – I did not have the benefit of internet searches to help start me down the path. Allen's offer letter was the best and only chance I thought I might ever have. Looking back, I know how incredibly fortunate I was to have been a part of what Blizzard has become.

Our efforts were always guided by well-intentioned purpose. We made games that we wanted to play, believing that like-minded people would also want to play those games. Today we characterize it more specifically with the ambitious vision of bringing the world together through epic entertainment. I am so proud to have had the chance to positively impact the lives of so many people through the experiences we have created.

My time at Blizzard encompasses the entirety of both my professional career and my adult life. I have countless fond memories. Working with the best developers in the world on the best franchises in the world definitively stands out. Even more prominent are my memories of our first BlizzCon where I realized the special importance of the people and communities that had become part of the experience for our players.

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