Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan has hit out at gamers who judge titles without ever actually playing them.
Former Blizzard Entertainment vice president and Overwatch director Jeff Kaplan has criticised players who judge games without ever playing them, calling out what he sees as a growing trend in online discourse.
Kaplan made the remarks during a 10-hour Twitch livestream showcasing his new indie project, The Legend of California, offering fans an early look at gameplay and development progress.
He said: “I understand being upset, and I understand voicing your opinion.But if a game comes out and you don’t want to play it, and you never played it – shut the f*** up!”
Kaplan continued: “Who cares about my opinion if I’m not gonna play it? And if I’ve never played it, why does my opinion matter on that? … I just f****** ignore you.”
The developer also hit at out those who make snap judgements about games based on limited footage.
He said: “The internet likes to just instantly judge, ‘Is the game any good or not?’ I don’t know how you can tell that from a two-minute video. Like, play it for a while.”
Kaplan’s new title, The Legend of California, is described as an open-world, action-survival shooter set in a mythical version of California during the gold rush era.
The game can be played solo or cooperatively, with Kaplan emphasising its early-stage development.
The developer has highlighted a more transparent, low-budget approach compared to his time working on blockbuster titles.
Kaplan said: “We’re just kind of winging it… even alpha’s going to be rough.”
He also took aim at modern monetisation trends in gaming, suggesting his new project will take a more traditional route.
Kaplan quipped: “It’s like this crazy idea… ‘Maybe I could play the game to get s***.'”
Overwatch game director Jeff Kaplan slams gamers for complaining about titles they haven’t played
