MTV Multiplayer’s multi-part interview with Diablo III lead designer Jay Wilson has, day after day, solidified his company’s position on the game’s controversial new direction. 52,000 petitioners will not change Blizzard’s mind. Those photoshopped visions would be boring and unplayable. The Necromancer has realized his full potential.
But even as Wilson speaks of solidarity, news has arrived that art director Brian Morrisroe — the man responsible for Diablo III’s fresh, colorful vision — has left the building.
On Tuesday, this job posting appeared on the Blizzard website:
Blizzard Entertainment is currently looking for a talented, motivated, and experienced art director to lead the Diablo III art team. For this position, you must be highly organized with outstanding communication skills and proven experience in management. We’re looking for a proven track record of shipping AAA products in an art director role. Experience modeling and texturing assets for a diverse visual range of environments and a solid grasp of form, color, and light for both 2D and 3D art assets are also essential. You must be experienced at mentoring a team, able to work well in an environment of artists who are passionate about making great games, skilled in another art task (illustration, modeling, texturing, animation, or concept drawing), and well-versed in related tools (Maya, Photoshop, etc.).
Blizzard Entertainment offers a fun, creative, and technically rewarding environment with excellent compensation and a full range of benefits.
Requirements
- 5+ years game industry experience
- At least one AAA title shipped as art director
- Ability to manage a large art staff of varying skills and specialties
- Strong illustration and concept art skills
- Familiarity with popular 3D applications such as 3ds Max and Maya
- Experience with 2D painting applications such as Adobe Photoshop and Painter
- Ability to motivate artists and communicate well with other developers in a team environment
- Ability to work closely with the production team in creating schedules for the art department
- A passion for creating and playing games
And today, MTV Multiplayer confirmed that art director Brian Morrisroe has left the company. Here’s the email they received:
Regarding Brian, he recently resigned to form a startup technology company (outside the game industry), which is why we’ve posted about the open position. This change won’t impact the game…we’re really pleased with the look and feel that Brian helped create for Diablo III, and the new person we bring onboard will work with the other artists on the team to maintain the art style moving forward.
Now, we’re not going to play the conspiracy theorist and suggest that the art style will change as a result of Morrisroe’s departure — especially in the face of company statements to the contrary. But with the external pressure of 54,000 fans clamoring to change the game’s art, and the internal pressure of Blizzard staffers to keep it as is, we wonder who will attempt to fill Morrisroe’s recently vacated shoes, and whether they will have any creative freedom of their own to determine how Diablo III turns out.
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