13-Year WoW Veteran Leaves Blizzard for Indie Studio

Breaking New Ground: Chris Kaleiki’s Departure from Blizzard

Chris Kaleiki, a veteran of 13 years in the World of Warcraft realm, has traded his AAA credentials for a fresh journey at Notorious Studios. Stepping away from the all-encompassing world of Blizzard, Kaleiki has embarked on a mission to create something new and intimate. His new venture, Legacy: Steel & Sorcery, aims to carve a unique niche between indie and AAA games. In a recent chat with GamesRadar+, Kaleiki spilled the beans on why he left the big league scene to focus on smaller, more personal projects.

In this candid conversation, Kaleiki elaborated on the stark differences he perceives between indie, AAA, and the complex grey areas in between. These differences significantly influenced his decision to say goodbye to Blizzard in 2020. “When you’re deep in AAA development, you dive into all aspects like design and iteration,” Kaleiki shared. But, it’s nothing like the nitty-gritty of starting from scratch. Building the foundations, establishing creative philosophies, and crafting game pillars define his new endeavor.

Embracing Creativity: The Quest for Autonomy

One of the major shifts Kaleiki noticed was the compartmentalization in big studios. Developers often find themselves in specific teams, focusing on narrowly defined tasks. Consequently, they may lose sight of the bigger picture. “I saw changes in studio models and game-making motivations,” he reflected. This shift in focus eventually nudged him to pivot. “I felt like I hadn’t changed much, but the studio did,” Kaleiki noted, hinting at a growing disconnect.

Kaleiki’s role at Blizzard had him feeling like just a World of Warcraft class designer. He never quite grasped the expansive game development process. Today, he embraces the full spectrum, relishing his role in shaping an entire game from the ground up. Alongside this revelation, Kaleiki acknowledged a challenge that AAA studios face as they grow. “Maintaining a genuine connection with players becomes tougher,” he said, attributing it to the logistics of scale.

Legacy: Steel & Sorcery – A New Frontier

Describing Legacy: Steel & Sorcery as “World PvP: The Game,” Kaleiki envisions an RPG that captures the spirit of early Blizzard days. It’s more than just a game; it’s a concept distilled into its purest form. Due to make a splash on Steam Early Access come February 12, the game promises to deliver that nostalgic MMO feel many players crave.

For those eager to jump into a captivating MMO world now, several top-notch options are already at play. Kaleiki’s departure from the colossal corridors of Blizzard to the more nimble and intimate setting of Notorious Studios is a testament to his desire for creative freedom. Balancing between the extremes of indie innovation and AAA grandeur, his journey unfolds like a renaissance for the modern-day gaming developer.