John Hight, the person in charge of the Warcraft universe at Blizzard Entertainment, recently announced his departure from the company after 12 years of service. He shared this news on his personal X account, stating that he is embarking on a new journey.
I had the privilege of interviewing Hight last fall at BlizzCon in Anaheim, California. Our conversation covered a wide range of topics, including his experiences and contributions during his time overseeing Warcraft, particularly World of Warcraft. Hight is a seasoned gaming executive with a rich background in the industry. Prior to joining Blizzard, he had worked at Sony on projects like God of War 3 and the launch of the PlayStation Network. He also held positions at Atari and Electronic Arts, where he managed teams at Westwood Studios, often in competition with Blizzard’s real-time strategy games.
Reflecting on his time at Blizzard, Hight expressed that he hoped his legacy would be the people he inspired and supported throughout his career. He mentioned individuals like Xinghan “Jenova” Chen, whom he discovered while teaching at the University of Southern California. Chen went on to co-found Thatgamecompany and create successful games like Flow, Flower, and Journey under Hight’s guidance.
Another notable figure Hight mentioned was Chris Metzen, known as the narrative architect of the Warcraft universe. When Metzen considered returning to World of Warcraft, he sought Hight’s advice, leading to a successful collaboration that delighted fans. Hight also highlighted Holly Longdale, who joined the WoW Classic team and later assumed Hight’s former role as WoW’s executive producer. Longdale’s dedication and passion for the game earned her the position, showcasing her exceptional talent.
As Hight prepares to leave his role at Blizzard, he leaves behind a legacy of nurturing talent and fostering creativity within the Warcraft community. He shared words of encouragement with aspiring developers and emphasized the importance of self-confidence and belief in one’s abilities. Hight’s departure marks the end of an era for Warcraft, but his impact on the franchise and the gaming industry as a whole will be remembered for years to come.