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Jeff Kaplan
Jeff Kaplan
Jeff Kaplan
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Jeffrey Kaplan is an American video game designer and former vice president of Blizzard Entertainment, a position he held until he left the company in 2021. He designed elements of World of Warcraft and is the former lead director of Overwatch.

Key Information

Early life

[edit]

Kaplan was born in New Jersey on November 4, 1972, and grew up in La Cañada Flintridge, California.[1] Kaplan had been an avid video game player during his school years, particularly influenced by the various Infocom adventure games; however, lacking programming skills, he never thought he would be able to get a career in the video game industry.[2] He initially pursued a degree in film, but ultimately got a degree in creative writing at the University of Southern California.[3] After working as a writing intern for Universal Pictures, he decided to get a graduate degree for creative writing from New York University.[2] Following this, he worked for his father's recruiting business while performing creative writing on the side to try to get his stories published.[3] He was unsuccessful at getting any of his creative stories published for several years, receiving over 170 rejection notices in a single year. By 2000, he decided to drop creative writing, and spent his time playing video games, as well as toying around with the level editors from games like Duke Nukem 3D and Half-Life.[2][3]

Career

[edit]

Early career and involvement with Blizzard

[edit]

Kaplan became involved in the massively multiplayer online game (MMO) EverQuest. Under his online handle "Tigole Bitties",[4] he joined the "Legacy of Steel" guild, and became a well-recognized player for his accomplishments and his commentary about the game posted to the guild's website.[2][5] He discussed some of his map making attempts which caught the attention of the guild's leader, Rob Pardo, who at the time was the lead designer at Blizzard for Warcraft III; Kaplan was aware that some of his guild members worked at Blizzard, but he had not recognized the importance of the company at that point. Around 2001, Pardo invited Kaplan to come visit Blizzard's offices in Los Angeles, during which he was introduced to several other Blizzard guild members, and they showed him the yet-unannounced MMO World of Warcraft (WoW) project they had been working on.[2] Several similar meetings happened over the next few months.[3] Later, after World of Warcraft was announced, Pardo suggested that Kaplan apply for a recently posted job for a WoW quest designer there; Kaplan realized that the job description was tailor-made for his background, and that his previous visit to Blizzard had been an informal job interview.[2] Kaplan applied and was hired into Blizzard by May 2002.[6]

World of Warcraft development

[edit]

Kaplan's initial work at Blizzard was helping with quality assurance for Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos in the weeks prior to its release.[6] After Warcraft III shipped, he joined with the WoW team as one of the first two quest designers along with Pat Nagle, and worked closely with the game's creative director Chris Metzen.[6] Kaplan's work focused on the player versus environment elements of WoW, including quest design and the overall aesthetics for the various dungeons and raids; he described his position as a "medium" between Metzen's creative elements and the programmers and artists of the level design team.[6] Eventually, Kaplan was named as game director for WoW, along with Tom Chilton and J. Allen Brack.[7]

Transition to Titan

[edit]

In February 2009, Kaplan announced that he was stepping down as game director for WoW to switch his role at Blizzard to a new, unannounced MMO, which later was revealed as Titan.[7] Kaplan opted to join the new project, hoping to create a similar success to what WoW had been, as well as having concerns how long WoW's popularity would remain.[3] Titan was considered an ambitious project, designed as a class-based first-person shooter, but had a prolonged and struggling development period along with gameplay that Kaplan called "very cluttered and confused". Titan's cancellation was officially announced in September 2014.[8]

Creation of Overwatch

[edit]

However, prior to Titan's official cancellation, the game's development had been stopped in early 2013 at Blizzard.[9] All but 40 members of the Titan team were reassigned to other projects, with the remaining people, including Kaplan and Metzen, tasked by management to come up with a new intellectual property within a few weeks, or otherwise they would also be reassigned. Kaplan and Metzen led this team to take some of the gameplay and creative elements of Titan and created a team-based shooter, which became Overwatch. With the project approved by Blizzard, Kaplan became the game's lead director with Metzen serving as creative director.[3][10] Overwatch became extremely successful for Blizzard, earning more than $1 billion in revenue within its first year,[11] and having drawn more than 35 million players worldwide.[12] Taking a cue from fellow Blizzard employee and lead director for Hearthstone, Ben Brode, Kaplan made himself the public face for Blizzard in promoting and interacting with fans of Overwatch; he regularly posted to the Overwatch online forums, and created several videos giving insight into Overwatch's development and future updates.[13]

In 2017, Kaplan was awarded with the Vanguard Award at the Fun & Serious Game Festival, which takes place in the Spanish city of Bilbao.[14]

Departure from Blizzard

[edit]

Blizzard announced on April 20, 2021 that Kaplan was leaving the company after 19 years, with Aaron Keller to take over Kaplan's role in the oversight of Overwatch.[15] A tribute to Kaplan was planned to be included in Overwatch 2 by the name of a background storefront "Jephs Corner Pizza" in the New York City map.[16] However, the reference was seemingly removed after Blizzard implemented a new policy against including references to real-world people in their games.[17]

Games

[edit]
Year Title Role Notes
2002 Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Designer
2004 World of Warcraft Designer, game director
2007 World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Designer
2008 World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King Designer
2013 Titan Designer Cancelled
2016 Overwatch Lead designer, game director Left Blizzard in 2021

References

[edit]
[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Jeff Kaplan

View on Grokipedia
from Grokipedia
Jeffrey Kaplan is an American video game designer renowned for his pivotal roles at , where he directed the development of the multiplayer shooter and served as a key designer on , shaping some of the company's most iconic titles over nearly two decades. Kaplan's early passion for video games began in childhood with systems like the and , evolving into a deep engagement with PC titles such as , Ultima, and adventures. After earning a in creative writing from , he pursued publishing with short stories and a but faced significant rejections, prompting a shift toward . In his mid-twenties, Kaplan immersed himself in massively multiplayer online games, becoming a dedicated player of and an officer in the prominent Legacy of Steel, where he honed his design ideas through community discussions and modding experiences with games like Half-Life and . His entry into the industry came through personal connections; as a guildmate of Blizzard's then-lead designer in EverQuest, Kaplan was recruited in May 2002 to contribute to during its transition from roots to MMORPG format. Starting with quality assurance on , he quickly advanced to quest design and became the design lead by the 2004 launch of , overseeing zones like Westfall and expansions including The Burning Crusade (2007) and Wrath of the Lich King (2008). In 2008, Kaplan shifted to direct the ambitious MMO project Titan, which was canceled in 2013 after six years of development due to scope challenges, but its assets and concepts were repurposed to birth . As vice president and game director of Overwatch, Kaplan led a team that transformed the canceled project's remnants into a hero-based team shooter, announced at 2014 and released in 2016 to critical and commercial acclaim for its diverse cast and accessible gameplay. Under his guidance, the game expanded through seasonal updates, initiatives, and story-driven content, earning multiple awards and fostering a global community. Kaplan departed in April 2021 after 19 years, handing directorial duties to Aaron Keller amid the studio's evolving projects, leaving a legacy of innovative storytelling and player-focused design in the gaming industry.

Early life and education

Early years

Jeff Kaplan was born on November 4, 1972, in and raised in . His father owned an executive recruiting firm. From a young age, Kaplan showed a strong passion for video games, beginning with early consoles like the and before immersing himself in PC titles. He particularly enjoyed first-person shooters, actively playing and modding games such as Doom, Quake, Half-Life, and Duke Nukem 3D, which fueled his interest in game design and customization. In addition to gaming, Kaplan developed early creative interests in film and writing, experimenting with storytelling and short fiction that later shaped his narrative approach to game development. These pursuits in writing eventually guided him toward formal studies in .

Academic background

Jeff Kaplan earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English with an emphasis on from the in 1995. He shifted his focus during his undergraduate studies to . Following his time at USC, Kaplan pursued graduate studies in New York, obtaining a degree in from in 1998. His program at NYU delved deeper into literary craft, including the exploration of prose fiction and experimental forms, fostering a strong foundation in crafting immersive worlds and compelling character arcs. During this period in New York, Kaplan worked on personal creative projects, such as short stories and a , which honed his ability to revise and refine narratives amid challenges like repeated rejections from publishers—totaling 172 in a single year. These academic experiences in writing and provided Kaplan with essential tools for conceptualizing interactive narratives, bridging traditional literary principles with the demands of collaborative creative mediums like . His early exposure to gaming complemented this formal training by inspiring him to envision stories within dynamic, player-driven environments.

Career

Pre-Blizzard roles

After graduating from the University of Southern California with a degree in film, Kaplan interned as a writer at Universal Pictures, where he contributed to script development but found the experience fell short of his idealized vision of Hollywood screenwriting. Following his master's degree in creative writing from New York University, Kaplan struggled to secure stable employment in the entertainment industry, leading him to join his father's executive recruiting firm. There, he managed client relations and operational tasks, often working afternoon shifts to allow mornings for pursuing his own creative writing projects, including short stories and novels that he attempted to publish. Despite these efforts, Kaplan faced significant hurdles in breaking into , as none of his manuscripts gained traction with publishers, prompting him to seek alternative outlets for his interests. During this period, he immersed himself in online gaming communities, notably leading the Legacy of Steel guild in under the handle "Tigole Bitties," where his vocal critiques of game mechanics and interactions with fellow players began fostering connections that would later influence his career trajectory.

Entry and early work at Blizzard

Jeff Kaplan joined in May 2002, recruited through his connections as a prominent guild leader in , where he had collaborated with Blizzard's then-lead designer in the guild Legacy of Steel. This background in managing online player communities and informal recruiting for guilds aided his quick adaptation to Blizzard's team-oriented dynamics. His hiring occurred during the final crunch phase of development for , the game released that July. Kaplan's initial role at Blizzard was in quality assurance, where he focused on extensively testing Warcraft III to ensure its gameplay mechanics were polished and engaging. He spent weeks immersed in gameplay sessions, playing the title repeatedly during late-night crunches to identify issues and provide feedback to the development team, earning a credit for additional testing. This hands-on involvement allowed him to collaborate closely with senior designers, gaining insights into balancing unit abilities, campaign progression, and overall player experience in the early 2000s Blizzard studio environment, known for its iterative and passionate approach to game refinement. As Kaplan progressed internally, his expertise in player psychology and community feedback from his pre-Blizzard gaming experiences propelled him from junior QA tester to more substantive design responsibilities by the mid-2000s. He contributed to quest-like elements and systemic gameplay tweaks in early projects, emphasizing collaborative brainstorming sessions that fostered Blizzard's culture of cross-team input and . This period marked his transition into a key team member, leveraging his background to influence how games structured player progression and interactions.

World of Warcraft contributions

Jeff Kaplan joined in 2002 as a quest designer for the then-upcoming , where he contributed to foundational elements of the game's design. He collaborated with designer Pat Nagle to create quests for zones such as Westfall and Elwynn Forest, emphasizing immersive and player engagement through playtesting feedback that revealed the need for denser quest content across the world. Kaplan advanced to lead designer, overseeing key aspects like class balancing to ensure diverse playstyles, raid mechanics in instances such as Scarlet Monastery to promote cooperative challenges, and world-building that integrated lore with environmental interactivity in the base game's launch in 2004. By 2008, Kaplan had been promoted to game director for , guiding the project's direction during a period of rapid expansion. His leadership extended to the first two expansions: The Burning Crusade (2007), where he managed a compact team of about 40 developers post-launch to incorporate player feedback on content pacing and introduce features like the green dragonflight storyline amid resource constraints; and Wrath of the Lich King (2008), focusing on narrative accessibility through character-driven arcs, such as the Death Knight starting experience co-developed with Alex Afrasiabi, to deepen player immersion. These efforts integrated ongoing content updates based on community input, refining mechanics like quest progression and raid difficulty to broaden appeal beyond hardcore players. Under Kaplan's direction, solidified its status as the most successful (MMORPG), achieving over 12 million subscribers by 2010—a milestone reached following the Wrath of the Lich King launch that underscored the game's global dominance and sustained growth from its initial one million subscribers at launch.

Project Titan involvement

In 2007, Jeff Kaplan was assigned as a lead designer and later game director on Project Titan, Blizzard Entertainment's ambitious massively multiplayer online (MMO) project intended as a successor to . The game envisioned a sci-fi setting on a near-future recovering from an alien invasion, featuring superhero-like characters who balanced everyday professions in a persistent open world with high-stakes combat missions in a parallel "shadow world." Kaplan drew on his World of Warcraft design expertise to contribute to Titan's core mechanics, including a dynamic divided into non-combat social zones for activities like engineering and business management, alongside character progression systems that emphasized skill trees, NPC relationships, and faction-based storytelling. He also helped shape team-based gameplay elements, such as class-specific abilities for roles like the agile "Jumper" (with and explosive tools) and tank-like "Titans," enabling cooperative missions in formats including capture-the-flag objectives across global zones like the U.S. West Coast and . Development spanned seven years and encountered severe internal challenges, including rampant from overly ambitious features like advanced NPC AI and living cities, which led to repeated overhauls and stalled progress by 2012. Technical and design hurdles compounded low team morale and a lack of playable prototypes for community feedback, culminating in the project's cancellation in September 2014 after an estimated $50 million investment. Kaplan later reflected on the failure as a profound learning experience, describing it as a "period of despair" that forced the team to confront unengaging elements and rebuild their creative confidence amid intense internal pressure and embarrassment. He noted that the ordeal, while devastating after years without player validation, ultimately honed Blizzard's approach to scoping future projects more realistically.

Overwatch leadership

In 2014, following the cancellation of Blizzard's Project Titan, Jeff Kaplan led a small team of former Titan developers to repurpose select gameplay and creative elements from the project into a new hero-based multiplayer shooter, which became Overwatch. Kaplan served as the game's lead designer and later its game director, overseeing development through its launch on May 24, 2016, for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One. Kaplan's design philosophy for Overwatch centered on accessible, team-oriented that emphasized unique heroes with distinct abilities, personalities, and backstories, diverging from the gritty realism prevalent in contemporary shooters. The game featured a diverse roster from inception, with half of its initial 21 heroes being women portrayed as empowered rescuers—such as Tracer, a gay British pilot, and Mei, a Chinese climatologist—alongside characters spanning genders, ethnicities, animals, and robots to foster inclusivity and broad player identification. This approach aimed to create a vibrant, optimistic world that encouraged teamwork over individualism, while prioritizing viability through structured competitive modes and the launch of the in 2017. Under Kaplan's leadership, achieved significant commercial milestones, generating over $1 billion in revenue from game sales and microtransactions within its first year, making it Blizzard's fastest-growing new franchise. The game reached 35 million registered players by October 2017 and 40 million by May 2018, driven by ongoing content updates including new heroes like Orisa and Moira, maps such as Junkertown, and seasonal events tied to holidays and lore, such as Uprising and Summer Games, released annually to maintain player engagement. Kaplan fostered strong ties through regular developer update videos addressing player concerns, direct forum interactions where he responded to feedback—such as adjusting Tracer's victory pose—and iterative balancing patches informed by experimental modes testing changes like hero ability tweaks before live implementation. These efforts, including modes like Triple Damage to explore role compositions, helped cultivate a responsive development cycle that prioritized input during 's peak growth.

Departure from Blizzard

On April 20, 2021, Blizzard Entertainment announced that Jeff Kaplan was stepping down from his positions as vice president and director of Overwatch after 19 years with the company. In a personal message included in the announcement, Kaplan reflected on his tenure, stating, "I am leaving Blizzard Entertainment after 19 amazing years. It was truly the honor of a lifetime to have the opportunity to create worlds and heroes for such a passionate audience. I want to express my deep appreciation to everyone at Blizzard who supported our games, our game teams, and our players." Blizzard described the departure as Kaplan's decision to pursue new passions following a long career at the studio. The announcement came amid broader internal challenges at , which intensified later that year; in July 2021, the Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against alleging systemic , gender , and a pervasive "frat boy" culture that fostered retaliation against employees who reported misconduct. Kaplan's exit preceded these public revelations by several months, though the company was already navigating executive transitions and development pressures. Aaron Keller, a Blizzard veteran of 18 years and a founding member of the team, was named as Kaplan's successor as game director. Keller had collaborated closely with Kaplan on and the original , and he expressed enthusiasm for the role, noting, "I’m honored to carry the torch forward." The transition ensured continuity for , with committing to ongoing development and future updates. In the immediate aftermath, the team paid tribute to Kaplan through in-game elements, including in previews that referenced his likeness and contributions, such as a graffiti mural on the New York map modeled after him. However, following the escalation of Blizzard's workplace controversies, the company adopted policies to eliminate real-life references from its games to maintain immersion and avoid associations with internal issues; by September 2021, these tributes, including the New York map , were removed from .

Post-Blizzard activities

Following his departure from in April 2021, Jeff Kaplan has maintained a low public profile, with no new professional roles or projects announced. In the wake of Kaplan's exit, implemented a policy prohibiting real-life references in its games, leading to the removal of planned tributes to him in . One such element, "Jeph's Corner Pizza"—a fictional New York pizzeria named after Kaplan's nickname "Jeph"—was featured in early previews of the Midtown map but was excised prior to launch to align with the company's updated guidelines. During this period, the broader gaming industry underwent significant changes, including Microsoft's completion of its $68.7 billion acquisition of on October 13, 2023, which integrated into ; Kaplan had no reported involvement in these developments, having already left the company two years earlier. In 2024, journalist Jason Schreier's book Play Nice provided further insights into Kaplan's tenure and departure at Blizzard, detailing internal challenges during Overwatch development but confirming no subsequent professional announcements from Kaplan.

Video games

Warcraft series

Jeff Kaplan joined in 2002, initially contributing to the team in as the game neared release. His work on the 2002 game involved design elements that supported its campaign structure and unit mechanics, helping shape the narrative-driven gameplay that bridged the RTS series to future installments. III's success, with 1 million copies sold in its first month, established a foundation for the franchise's expansion into massively multiplayer online games (MMORPGs). Kaplan transitioned to World of Warcraft (2004), where he served as one of the initial quest designers and later as game director, overseeing core systems such as quest progression and player-versus-environment (PvE) content. His contributions emphasized immersive storytelling through chained quests and balanced world exploration, which became hallmarks of the game's design and contributed to its peak of over 12 million active subscribers by 2010. Kaplan also influenced player-versus-player (PvP) mechanics, ensuring they integrated seamlessly with the broader ecosystem. For the expansions World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (2007) and World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (2008), Kaplan acted as lead designer and game director, respectively, focusing on the introduction of new zones, expanded lore, and endgame raiding systems. In The Burning Crusade, he guided the addition of outland regions and blood elf/draenei races, enhancing narrative depth and accessibility for high-level content. For Wrath of the Lich King, his leadership emphasized improved raid design and zone progression, such as the , which prioritized player engagement and reduced compared to prior content. These efforts helped the expansions achieve record sales, with Wrath of the Lich King selling over 2.8 million copies on launch day. Kaplan's design philosophy across the series prioritized player agency, lore integration, and iterative balance, significantly extending the franchise's longevity as a benchmark for MMORPGs with sustained updates and community-driven evolution over two decades. His work helped solidify World of Warcraft's cultural status, influencing genre standards for persistent worlds and social gameplay.

Overwatch

Jeff Kaplan served as the Game Director for Overwatch (2016), overseeing the core design elements that shaped the game's team-based multiplayer shooter experience. In this role, he guided the development of the hero roster, comprising over two dozen characters with distinct abilities, personalities, and backstories that emphasized teamwork and diversity in gameplay. Kaplan also directed the creation of the game's maps, which were designed to support varied objective-based modes like payload escort and capture-the-flag hybrids, promoting strategic positioning and environmental interaction. Additionally, he spearheaded the implementation of competitive modes, including ranked matchmaking and seasonal rewards systems, to create a structured environment for skill progression and high-stakes play. Under Kaplan's direction, achieved remarkable launch success, attracting over 7 million players worldwide in its first week following the May 24, 2016 release. This rapid adoption laid the foundation for the game's evolution into a premier esports title, with Kaplan actively contributing to features like spectator tools and the , a professional circuit launched in 2018 featuring city-based teams across multiple continents. These efforts helped transform from a casual multiplayer game into a competitive ecosystem with global tournaments and substantial prize pools. Kaplan played a key role in the game's ongoing updates through 2021, including balance patches that adjusted hero abilities to maintain meta diversity and prevent dominance by specific compositions. He also oversaw the introduction of seasonal events, such as Summer Games and Halloween Terror, which added limited-time modes, , and narrative content to keep the community engaged year-round. Throughout his tenure, Kaplan emphasized Overwatch's inclusive themes, integrating diverse representations of gender, ethnicity, and sexuality into the hero roster and lore to foster a welcoming global community. This approach not only influenced character designs but also extended to community initiatives, promoting positivity and accessibility in the game's vibrant, international player base.

Legacy

Industry influence

Jeff Kaplan pioneered player-centric design principles at , emphasizing iterative balancing and direct incorporation of community feedback to refine in massively multiplayer online games and team-based shooters. This approach involved ongoing adjustments to character abilities and match systems based on player input, ensuring and for diverse audiences. For instance, Kaplan highlighted the value of critical community responses in shaping features like hero balance, stating that such feedback provides "a great perspective on your work" and drives continuous improvement. His nightly with forums exemplified this commitment, allowing developers to respond promptly to player concerns and evolve mechanics accordingly. Kaplan's influence extended to the esports landscape through his leadership in establishing the in , which introduced a novel blending traditional sports structures with digital competition. As game director, he advocated for regional franchised teams backed by major investors like the , creating sustainable revenue streams via sponsorships and city-based ownership to professionalize player careers and broaden audience appeal. This model aimed to revolutionize by legitimizing it as a mainstream industry, attracting first-time viewers through structured seasons and global accessibility. However, the league faced challenges and was discontinued in November 2023, with Blizzard transitioning to new competitive formats such as the Overwatch Champions Series launched in 2024. In mentoring development teams, Kaplan fostered a collaborative culture that prioritized diversity both in game characters and staff composition, influencing Blizzard's creative output during its peak years. He emphasized building inclusive worlds where heroes represented varied backgrounds—achieving a near 50/50 and ethnic split among characters—to make players feel represented and welcomed, as seen in the design of strong female leads who "are the ones doing the rescuing." This ethos extended to , promoting and in hiring and to avoid stereotypes. Kaplan is recognized as a pivotal figure in Blizzard's golden era, where his contributions to titles like and helped set enduring standards for narrative depth and multiplayer innovation in the industry. As one of the original quest designers on , he shaped iconic storytelling that propelled the game to 12 million subscribers by 2010, while his direction of established benchmarks for hero-shooter genres through accessible, team-focused mechanics. Sources from this period underscore his role in the company's creative zenith, though post-2021 analyses note evolving industry contexts.

Public persona and recognition

Jeff Kaplan, widely known in gaming communities as "Papa Jeff," cultivated a distinctive public persona through his approachable and humorous engagement with fans, particularly during his tenure as 's game director. This emerged from fan affection for his paternal role in shaping the game's development and community, often referenced in memes and tributes that highlighted his charismatic video appearances. Memes originating from his developer updates, such as the recurring phrase "This is Jeff from the team," became staples of Overwatch fan culture, with Kaplan himself embracing them in interviews and videos, fostering a sense of camaraderie that blurred the lines between developer and player. Kaplan's commitment to transparency was exemplified by his regular developer update videos, which provided direct insights into Overwatch's evolution, from balance changes to community feedback integration. These updates, often delivered in a casual yet informative style, set a benchmark for developer-player communication in the industry, allowing fans to feel involved in the game's iterative process. For instance, videos addressing , , and public test realms (PTR) philosophy not only explained decisions but also invited ongoing dialogue, enhancing trust and engagement within the ecosystem. His contributions earned significant recognition, including Overwatch's win for Best Multiplayer at the 2017 BAFTA Games Awards, where Kaplan accepted the honor on behalf of the team, acknowledging the global community's role in the game's success. Additionally, Kaplan's early work on as a quest designer and level lead helped establish the MMORPG's enduring cultural impact, influencing gaming norms around collaborative storytelling and virtual worlds that persist in modern titles. In 2017, he received the Vanguard Award at the Fun & Serious Game Festival for his innovative leadership in . Following his 2021 departure from , Kaplan's legacy has remained a focal point in gaming discussions, with fans and analysts reflecting on his influence amid 2's challenges and 's broader transitions. Community tributes, such as teams temporarily renaming themselves in his honor upon his exit, underscore his lasting personal connection, while analyses credit his vision for the franchise's foundational strengths despite evolving studio dynamics.

References

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  45. https://www.eurogamer.net/overwatch-game-director-talks-diversity-inclusivity-and-tracers-sexuality
  46. https://www.vice.com/en/article/in-the-company-of-heroes-an-interview-with-overwatch-designer-jeff-kaplan/
  47. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/the-story-of-overwatch-the-complete-jeff-kaplan-interview/1100-6439202/
  48. https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-wants-overwatch-league-to-revolutionize-e/1100-6456015/
  49. https://www.pcgamer.com/the-overwatch-league-is-officially-dead-blizzard-is-transitioning-away-from-its-groundbreaking-esports-league-as-teams-reportedly-vote-to-withdraw/
  50. https://www.sportspro.com/news/overwatch-esports-champions-series-launch-competition-esl-faceit-partnership/
  51. https://www.pcgamer.com/overwatch-director-jeff-kaplan-has-left-blizzard/
  52. https://www.bafta.org/awards/games/multiplayer/
  53. https://london-post.co.uk/jeff-kaplan-receive-honorary-award-fun-serious-game-festival/
  54. https://www.invenglobal.com/articles/13853/overwatch-community-reacts-to-jeff-kaplans-departure-from-blizzard
  55. https://www.gamedeveloper.com/game-platforms/-i-overwatch-i-director-jeff-kaplan-departs-blizzard-after-19-years
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