How 6,000 hours of gaming led to a career at Blizzard

Getting hired at Blizzard by playing EverQuest for 6,000 hours | Jeff Kaplan and Lex Fridman · 15:51 · Video: Lex Clips · Watch at the source

In short: Discover how deep immersion in a single game can translate into a career in game design. This conversation explores the transition from a dedicated player to a legendary creator at one of the world's most influential studios.

Jeff Kaplan, the designer behind iconic titles like World of Warcraft and Overwatch, discusses his journey into the industry. The narrative highlights how his extensive experience playing EverQuest—totaling 6,000 hours—provided the foundational understanding of game mechanics and player behavior necessary to succeed at Blizzard.

The discussion offers a look at the evolution of game design, moving from the perspective of a consumer to a creator. Kaplan is currently moving into a new chapter with his studio, Kintsugiyama, where he is developing a new title called The Legend of California.

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