Ben Brode Leaves Blizzard Entertainment
Ben Brode has posted a very important announcement this afternoon. After working at Blizzard for 15 years and developing Hearthstone for almost 10, he has decided to leave the company.
Thank you, Ben, for all the communication you've given the community over the years, the laughs, and most importantly, this game.
Quote from Ben BrodeTo my friends, coworkers, and the Hearthstone community,
After 15 years at Blizzard and almost 10 years working on Hearthstone, I have made the incredibly difficult decision to embark on a new journey.
Man, that was a hard sentence to type.
I was 20 years old when I started here. My first role was ‘Night Crew Game Tester.’
Since then, Blizzard has been good to me. I got to cast esports events, announce BlizzCons, play in Rock Bands, write raps, and work with incredible people. But the biggest opportunity came in 2008 when I joined “Team 5.” The Hearthstone Team.
I am very proud of Hearthstone. I think we made an impact on the industry. People tell me that Hearthstone brought their family closer together, or that they became close friends with people they met at a Fireside Gathering. Others tell me they were inspired by Hearthstone to become game developers themselves. It’s incredible to be a part of something that touches so many people.
But as proud as I am of Hearthstone, I am even more proud of the team.
There is no team like the Hearthstone team. People have come and gone over the 10 years Hearthstone has been in development, but there’s something special about the Soul of the Team. We knew our most important product wasn’t the game, but the team itself. A great team can do great things, and I think the Hearthstone team is the greatest. It isn’t just a job. It’s a shared passion. We get to come to work and focus on the game we love and try to make it better every day.
We frequently check the Hearthstone subreddit looking for opportunities to improve the game. I have loved the silly memes, engaging in spirited debates, or even just being held accountable to our shared high standards for the game. We try to be highly available on social media, and I think our team helped push the envelope in this regard. It has been especially satisfying to me to see the team step up over the last few years and help engage in these ways as I became more focused on direction and less on actual design.
I get too much credit by virtue of being a public face, but the 80+ people on the development team are still there, and they are the ones actually making the cards, brawls, events, missions, and features. I am confident the game is in the best possible hands, and I’m excited to see where a new generation of leaders takes Hearthstone from here.
I am very fortunate to be able to take a crazy risk right now in my life, and I’m excited to be scrappy and a little scared. I’m going to help start a new company. We’ll probably make games, but we haven’t figured anything else out, yet. I’m looking forward to designing, programming, and actually creating things again. I’m going to miss the on-campus Starbucks, though. Dang.
Blizzard, thank you for taking a chance on me, and thank you for taking a chance on Hearthstone. I can’t wait to see what you do next.
And to the passionate community of players – I will miss you, and the laughs we shared together. Thank you for making being a part of Hearthstone so much fun for me. I’ve loved every minute.
Sincerely,
Ben Brode
Does this mean no more Brode memes?
Who will we curse from now on if we are salty because of the game? :(
You will be missed Ben! Such an amazing guy! Wish you the best luck with your project!
Wow, that's a shock... It seemed like he was very happy with Hearthstone and had an awesome attitude in every one of his videos or card reveal streams, I really wonder who Blizzard is going to put as a public figure for Hearthstone or if they'll get rid of that aspect with him gone. Him leaving shouldn't really affect the future of card releases and balancing for Hearthstone but damn... he still strongly represented the game.
NOOOOOO You were heart of Hearthstone , now its just a stone,you will be missed
Well, we were not going to thing there will be no moment more sad than Fiery War Axe nerf.
or Yogg-Saron, Hope's End
maybe Sylvanas Windrunner and Ragnaros the Firelord rotation.
Ice Block ?
Damn, its like we lost someone in our home. Not expecting that much emotion.
I've just came here for netdecking guys not to feel.
Geez ... up until yesterday, every time Ben was mentioned it was followed or preceded by ''F*#% You for ruining HS'' ...
It would seems like the table have turned
I'm not crying guys, its just raining inside my house... A moment of silence for the irreplaceable icon of Hearthstone...
Gonna miss you, old friend.
Wow, that's crazy. The last thing I expected really. Wonder who is going to take over his position. Wow, still shocked.
"hahaha" ~Ben Brode
I... I don't know what to say. I literally thought this was just a late April Fools joke. But as I read the post, it became clear it wasn't that. I felt pain in my heart, a clog in my throat, sore eyes, and a pained stomach while reading this post. Ben Brode leaving Blizzard and Hearthstone is... Upsetting to say the least. He's been the source of laughter for many from Team 5. No one on Team 5 can even start to compare how excited and energetic and happy Ben was. Needless to say, I'm going to miss the guy. I hope him the best of luck in his future endeavors.
Very sad news, but the things is...
Hearthstone will change with the new leader. And let's see if it will be good changes.
Ben, you're 19 days late! Today, April 20, no first.
YES FINALLY IM REALLY HAPPY ABOUT THIS :)
that is the worst news i heard u will be missed alot ben you are the face of hearthstone :(
This is the saddest news in Hearthstone history :(
I really like the guy but I'm not content with the direction Hearthstone is heading. Maybe it's for the best.
After all the hype is over people are going to realize that this expansion is terrible. Definately worse than any expansion from the Year of the Mammoth. Their sales probably reflect that.
We had a rotation yet we're pretty much playing the same thing as last expansion. Nerfs are not the solution in my opinion, I mean we're already starting to play basic cards, what do you guys want? VanillaStone? That's boring! This expansion had to deliver but it failed miserably.
Last rotation, Ungoro managed to deliver the best meta we've ever seen in which all 9 classes were playable on ladder with fresh, brand new archetypes, new mechanics, new tribe. It took months to figure out the meta. The most experimentation we've ever had post release.
I'll certainly miss you though Ben Brode, wish you all the best.
Saying "Why, Dave Kosak, why?????" when Yogg kills himself immediately doesn't have the same ring to it :(
nonono, damn that sucks men, I love that guy! Such a crazy dude! And that laugh, what the hell! Somehow in my head he is really linked to HS. But I hope he will have a good time with what he will do and that he will make something else exciting!
The world's first introduction to Ben Brode, giving commentary during Hearthstone's first Fireside duel game play reveal at Pax East 2013. Vintage Brode.