Overwatch 2 Lead Hero Designer Has Left Blizzard

Ahead of the release of Overwatch 2, Geoff Goodman, lead hero designer for most of the game’s new playable characters, is leaving Blizzard. Goodman also served as lead hero designer for many of the playable characters in the original Overwatch.

For Overwatch 2, Goodman helped design Sojourn and Junker Queen. It is likely that he was also involved in the design of the recently announced Kiriko, but this has not been officially confirmed.

A Blizzard spokesperson said computer gamer Goodman decided to leave Blizzard “earlier this year” before providing the media with the following statement:

“We thank [Goodman] Thank him for his years of service at Blizzard and wish him all the best. His ability to bring Overwatch’s diverse roster of heroes to life through gameplay is incredible, and the mark he left on the Warcraft and Overwatch teams will be felt for years to come. “

The PC Gamer report did not list a reason for Goodman’s departure. That said, there have been some high-profile Overwatch developers leaving Blizzard in the past year, including director Jeff Kaplan in April 2021, lead artist Renaud Galand in May 2021, and lead artist Renaud Galand in September 2021. Executive Producer Chacko Sonny and Producer Tracy Kennedy February 2022.

Many of those departures occurred after July 2021, when the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing filed a lawsuit against Activision Blizzard, alleging equal pay violations, gender discrimination and sexual harassment.