Podcast•Mar 11, 2026•0 min
#493 – Jeff Kaplan: World of Warcraft, Overwatch, Blizzard, and Future of Gaming
In this episode Lex Friedman chats with legendary game designer Jeff Kaplan about his lifelong love of video games, from early arcade classics to the rise of PC and console gaming, and his pivotal roles in shaping World of Warcraft and Overwatch at Blizzard. Kaplan shares insights on game design philosophy, community building in MMOs, and the emotional impact of creating immersive worlds, before revealing his post‑Blizzard project, The Legend of California, an open‑world multiplayer set in the 1800s Gold Rush. The conversation blends personal anecdotes, industry history, and forward‑looking thoughts on the future of gaming.
