Frank Pearce, One of Blizzard's Original Founders, is Stepping Away - MMORPG.com News

SBFord

Frank Pearce, One of Blizzard's Original Founders, is Stepping Away - MMORPG.com News

Frank Pearce, one of the original founders of Blizzard, is leaving the company in order "to pass the torch to the next generation of leaders". He has been with Blizzard for 28 years, most recently in an advisory position. Pearce wrote of his time at Blizzard and that it "encompasses the entirety of both [his] professional career and adult life". He goes on to thank the community for the memories and tasks J. Allen Brack with defining how the adventure that he started 28 years ago continues.

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SBFord

That's...big news.

Truvidienn

Alright then.

Pher0cious

R.I.P.

Blizzard Entertainment.

Death by Activision.

Itzme123

Bail out before it gets any worse I say.

Not like Activision will ever green light anything that takes a risk or can't be heavily monetized.

I wouldn't want to work for the company i helped create while all the intellectual properties that made it popular languish in limbo.

Sovrath

Itzme123 said:

Bail out before it gets any worse I say.



Not like Activision will ever green light anything that takes a risk or can't be heavily monetized.



I wouldn't want to work for the company i helped create while all the intellectual properties that made it popular languish in limbo.

Then again, 2 ... 8 years.

I'm not sure at this point it's "bailing" as "omg I need to do something different."

I mean, have you been at a job for 28 years? Maybe you have but I've been at my job for over 8 years and I'm looking to move on.

Sovrath

DMKano said:

2... 8 years!!!!!

Ridrith

Man, it's really sad to see a company whose games I've played and enjoyed since basically forever is going out like this. Maybe it's all just a coincidence but I can't help but feel as if everyone leaving is just a sign of the times and the direction of Blizzard. I always figured (even if I don't like everything they make, WoW expansions after Wrath, Overwatch) I've always said when Blizz puts out a game, chances are it will be solid. I don't know if that will hold true going into the future.

boris20

Pretty sure 28 years is long, solid career. He's probably made his money and ready to retire. If you have enough in the bank to retire and do as you please, why not go enjoy your days doing so. And I couldn't imagine after that long with the company he hasnt stockpiled a nice retirement fund.

Valentina

Immediately people jump to the "HE'S LEAVING A SINKING SHIP, END OF BLIZZARD" just as I suspected lol.

Albatroes

Kano beat me to it. As for people talking about how long he's been there, that's honestly irrelevant. Blizzard has always been horrible at optics even if its not really a big deal individually.

Sovrath

Albatroes said:

Kano beat me to it.



As for people talking about how long he's been there, that's honestly irrelevant. Blizzard has always been horrible at optics even if its not really a big deal individually.

Ok great, have you ever been at a job for 28 years? or more?

Do you honestly think you will stay at your current job for 28 years?

TEKK3N

Valentina said:

Immediately people jump to the "HE'S LEAVING A SINKING SHIP, END OF BLIZZARD" just as I suspected lol.

Maybe because that’s the truth.

To be honest I am surprised there were still original funders on board.
I thought they all left long time ago.

Anyway Blizzard is not sinking, it’s becoming another EA.
EA for all the hate it gets it’s still going strong, so it’s Blizzard.

Wizbuiz

He is worth 1 billion, kinda low consider the money they made in 28 years, But I am sure he is still a Big shareholder, and what the fuck do u expect lol, memento mori, life is fucking short af and making pixel games to nerds might not be so fun after 30 years consider the biggering and moaning u get anyways.

Gutlard

I'm sure leaving now isn't the same as abandoning ship, because the ship is totally different.

He helped found a Clipper, but now it's a giant Pinas.

Gut Out!

Utinni

Sovrath said:

Albatroes said:

Kano beat me to it.







As for people talking about how long he's been there, that's honestly irrelevant. Blizzard has always been horrible at optics even if its not really a big deal individually.

Ok great, have you ever been at a job for 28 years? or more?



Do you honestly think you will stay at your current job for 28 years?

People will ignore logic to continue their own skewed reality. There's definitely some guy on here who actually thinks he's leaving because BFA wasn't good or some shit.

Working at a company you founded since 1991. The Hubble telescope launched and Enter Sandman was on the radio. Seriously. This guy is allowed to move on with his life without any reasoning.

natpick

MisterZebub said:

Itzme123 said:

Bail out before it gets any worse I say.

Not like Activision will ever green light anything that takes a risk or can't be heavily monetized.

I wouldn't want to work for the company i helped create while all the intellectual properties that made it popular languish in limbo.

Meh, on the flip side the guy has probably made so much money over the years he doesn't need to do this any more.

i think thats a given,im pretty sure all founder members are billionaires.

Utinni

natpick said:

MisterZebub said:

Itzme123 said:

Bail out before it gets any worse I say.

Not like Activision will ever green light anything that takes a risk or can't be heavily monetized.

I wouldn't want to work for the company i helped create while all the intellectual properties that made it popular languish in limbo.

Meh, on the flip side the guy has probably made so much money over the years he doesn't need to do this any more.

i think thats a given,im pretty sure all founder members are billionaires.

They're all worth $1-2b depending on share prices. 

Margrave

Well ... R.I.P. Blizzard

Alverant

Let's hope he doesn't go and make another Wildstar like other Blizzard employees. I really wanted to love that game but it just didn't click for me somehow.

Wizardry

He was in an advisory role,meaning,he was already a lazy leeching employee and just wanted it even easier.
So yeah like most pointed out,Activision probably had something to do with it,like they wanted to downgrade his salary or position which forced him out.
Imo Activision has been doing a good job of alleviating wasted revenue,over paid employees.
Who here thinks Blizzard needs any notable name to sell a game?I mentioned it a very long time ago,Blizzard sell a game that if sold by any other developer might be considered crap,not worth a dime.
These guys,the Koticks,Morhaime's,Pierce's had NOTHING to do with sales numbers,they were simply riding the coat tails to their local bank accounts.

Scot

Are any of the original founders of Blizzard left now?

Scot

Pher0cious said:

R.I.P.



Blizzard Entertainment.



Death by Activision.

You can see what be taken over by Activision did to his hair right there.

nyxium

Activision's Blizzard's Titanic is unsinkable now. Or so it is said.

Have a good life, Frank.

Eliandall

Valentina said:

Immediately people jump to the "HE'S LEAVING A SINKING SHIP, END OF BLIZZARD" just as I suspected lol.

Of course, would you expect anything less;)? He's been with the company longer than most of the ridiculous 'sinking ship' commenters have been alive. Good nor him, I say! Good luck in the future!

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