Diablo 3 director moves onto something new within Blizzard

Diablo 3 director Jay Wilson is stepping down from the team, and moving on to something new within Blizzard, he has announced.

Speaking on the Battle.net forums, Wilson said after seven years working on Diablo 3, he was ready to move on to something new.

"I've reached a point creatively where I'm looking forward to working on something new," he wrote. "The powers that be at Blizzard have been gracious enough to give me that opportunity. Over the course of the next several weeks, I will be moving off of the Diablo 3 project and transitioning elsewhere within Blizzard.

"This decision was not an easy one for me, and not one I made quickly, but ultimately it's what I feel is right."

Wilson said the development team will continue to work on the RPG, and his departure from it will not impact "things planned for the future," as "those plans will carry forward as normal."

"I'm leaving Diablo 3 in good hands, and my departure will not jeopardize the progress of the game as we continue to do what we do: listen, play, and improve," he said. "I also won't be abandoning the team, and will remain available to them during the transition period while we determine who will take over duties as game director.

"Our commitment to making our games as good as they can be is what has always defined Blizzard as a game studio, and that commitment never ends for us at a ship date. With your help, we'll continue to play, debate, and improve Diablo 3, as we've done with every Blizzard game."

Rob Pardo, the game's executive producer, responded to the announcement in the comment section, stating Wilson was "one of the best," and he has a "great career at Blizzard ahead of him."

He also took it upon himself to personally assign blame for the game's issues, and respond to to the "rough justice," some commenters were dishing out over Wilson's announcement.

"I do not believe justice is being served by how people are speaking about Jay’s departure from Diablo 3," Pardo wrote. "I’ve worked with many, many designers at Blizzard and Jay is one of the best. He has a great career at Blizzard ahead of him and I guarantee that you will enjoy Jay’s game designs in future Blizzard games.

"If you love Diablo as much as we do, then please continue to let us know how you feel we can improve the game. If you still feel the need to dish out blame, then I would prefer you direct it at me. I was the executive producer on the project; I hired Jay and I gave him advice and direction throughout the development process.

"I was ultimately responsible for the game we released and take full responsibility for the quality of the result."

Patch 1.0.7 is currently in the works for the game and is live on the PTR.