Another developer from Hearthstone is leaving – but only to join another team. There, he is set to work on a still secret project.
If there has been talk of departures from Blizzard in recent weeks, it is likely due to the exodus of developers. For years, many well-known developers have left the company, and with the recent emergence of the major sexism and discrimination scandal, even more have departed. Now, Alec Dawson, the Lead Designer, is leaving the Hearthstone team – but will remain at Blizzard.
Who is Alec Dawson? Dawson joined the Hearthstone team in 2018. By 2019, he had taken on larger responsibilities, serving as the Set Lead for the “Saviors of Uldum” expansion. The Scholomance expansion is also largely credited to his leadership. In the few years, he quickly took on new positions, first becoming a Senior Game Designer and just this March being promoted to Lead Game Designer.
Now he is moving to a different position.
What is he doing now? That is not entirely clear. A few days ago, Dawson announced on Twitter rather unexpectedly that it was his “last day at Hearthstone” and that he is now “pursuing other dreams.” However, he will still be at Blizzard and will “reunite with some of his favorite people” while working on an unannounced project. He is also extremely excited because there is much new to learn for him.
Dawson is not the first to leave the Hearthstone team for another project. Other Hearthstone developers like Mike Donais and Peter Whalen have also left the team for an “unannounced project.” It is likely that these developers are now working in the same team – although this is not guaranteed.
Which games are conceivable? These are likely the “usual suspects.” After all, there have been rumors and hints at Blizzard for years that multiple games are in the works. Especially in the mobile sector, Blizzard wants to expand even further alongside Hearthstone and Diablo: Immortal. A mobile installment for Warcraft has been hinted at for some time, although the exact details of it are still unknown.
Also under discussion is a “completely new franchise” – essentially a new universe, with a new story and fresh setting. But so far, Blizzard has remained tight-lipped about this, and a major announcement is still pending.
Since several developers have now gathered for the “unannounced project,” there is hope that an announcement will follow in the coming years. Perhaps at BlizzCon 2022.
What do you think, what is Blizzard currently working on in secret? Will it be a Warcraft mobile installment? Or something completely different?
