So Long, and Thanks for All the Spectral Fish

You know that part at the end of raid night when the final boss is dead and you’re done handing out loot and everyone kind of goes their separate ways? Yeah, this is one of those times.

We just came off of a great BlizzCon. We had so many different games to talk about, and we were thrilled at the reception of Warlords of Draenor. It was great to meet or reconnect with so many of you. I love BlizzCon dearly, which makes it so hard to tell you that this will be my last one, or at least my last one up on stage. An opportunity has come my way, and I have made the very tough decision to move on from Blizzard.

I wanted to thank all of you for being a part of this grand quest. I have said a hundred times that having passionate gamers, including the angry ones, is a far better place to be than having a community that doesn’t care. You all care. Like us, you want the game to be the best that it can be. So I ask you to keep on providing your feedback. I promise (and I rarely promise!) that the developers care very much about what you have to say.

I’ll be out there, and I can’t imagine it will be that hard to find me.

Hugs,
Ghostcrawler

P.S. No, you can’t have a pony. Or a moose. Or a mantis shrimp. Or a tardigrade. Or a crab. Keep trying though.

P.P.S. I play a Holy Priest.

First.

I'm going to miss working with you dearly. Take care sir.

/hippogryphsalute

I first met Greg at the BlizzCon 2009 fansite summit. There were 20 or so of us all at one table in the Blizzard cafeteria having lunch. Was introducing myself to the guy sitting across from me. Greg overheard, said "Wait, you're Lore from TankSpot?" and reached across the table and past like 5 people to shake my hand. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about the community.

The next day, I found him outside the convention center checking his email on his phone. We started chatting while he finished, and a few other people walked up. Two of them in particular started arguing with each other; they both played Feral Druids and had a conflicting opinion on something. Greg immediately got quiet, put his phone away, and started listening intently to their conversation. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about game design.

A year later, at BlizzCon 2010, I had the opportunity to sit down with him for a casual chat in the lobby of the Anaheim Marriott. We talked about several things -- raiding, Ret Paladins, how the convention was going -- but at some point I brought up that I'd considered applying for a position at Blizzard. We talked about it for a while, and though I didn't end up applying at the time, he seemed genuine in saying that Blizzard is a great place to work. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about Blizzard Entertainment.

A few months ago, on my third day as a Blizzard employee, I met him again at my first developer meeting. He didn't ignore the new face or just give me a casual "hello" -- he walked around the conference table and across the room to give me a hug. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about his co-workers.

And then a couple days ago, he came by the Community team's area to share a beer and let us know he'd be moving on. He wanted us to hear it directly from him. That was when I knew that Greg cares just as much today as he did when I met him back in 2009.

Greg, you've done amazing things for this game, not just on the design side of things, but for the community as well. You will be sorely missed, and I wish you the absolute best in your new opportunity. Thank you. Stay in touch.

Greg,

My fondest memory of you was when I brought Kristian "Hodor" Nairn up to your office during his visit to the U.S. in 2012. He and his best friend Jake were absolutely giddy about getting to meet you. When we arrived, you stood up, smiled, shook their hands, and went on to introduce the team. Moments later, Kristian asked me to take a picture of you two which captured the happiness he had in his eyes, and the honor I know you felt meeting him that day.

You've been an incredible co-worker, contributor to this community, and most important, a friend. I said it on Twitter, I'll say it here again: You are a class-act, Greg. And fortunately, our friendship will continue on. =)

All my best to you in your future endeavors, and happy holidays to you and your family!!

--Crithto

I first met Greg at the BlizzCon 2009 fansite summit. There were 20 or so of us all at one table in the Blizzard cafeteria having lunch. Was introducing myself to the guy sitting across from me. Greg overheard, said "Wait, you're Lore from TankSpot?" and reached across the table and past like 5 people to shake my hand. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about the community.

The next day, I found him outside the convention center checking his email on his phone. We started chatting while he finished, and a few other people walked up. Two of them in particular started arguing with each other; they both played Feral Druids and had a conflicting opinion on something. Greg immediately got quiet, put his phone away, and started listening intently to their conversation. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about game design.

A year later, at BlizzCon 2010, I had the opportunity to sit down with him for a casual chat in the lobby of the Anaheim Marriott. We talked about several things -- raiding, Ret Paladins, how the convention was going -- but at some point I brought up that I'd considered applying for a position at Blizzard. We talked about it for a while, and though I didn't end up applying at the time, he seemed genuine in saying that Blizzard is a great place to work. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about Blizzard Entertainment.

A few months ago, on my third day as a Blizzard employee, I met him again at my first developer meeting. He didn't ignore the new face or just give me a casual "hello" -- he walked around the conference table and across the room to give me a hug. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about his co-workers.

And then a couple days ago, he came by the Community team's area to share a beer and let us know he'd be moving on. He wanted us to hear it directly from him. That was when I knew that Greg cares just as much today as he did when I met him back in 2009.

Greg, you've done amazing things for this game, not just on the design side of things, but for the community as well. You will be sorely missed, and I wish you the absolute best in your new opportunity. Thank you. Stay in touch.

^This. SO much this.

Thank you so much for all that you've done for the game, Blizzard, and for the community as a whole. All of these things and so much more are better for your influence and guidance (and endless patience).

I wish you only the best in your future endeavors, and it goes without saying that you'll be missed around these parts.

I'll see you around Azeroth, my friend. :)

I first met Greg at the BlizzCon 2009 fansite summit. There were 20 or so of us all at one table in the Blizzard cafeteria having lunch. Was introducing myself to the guy sitting across from me. Greg overheard, said "Wait, you're Lore from TankSpot?" and reached across the table and past like 5 people to shake my hand. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about the community.

The next day, I found him outside the convention center checking his email on his phone. We started chatting while he finished, and a few other people walked up. Two of them in particular started arguing with each other; they both played Feral Druids and had a conflicting opinion on something. Greg immediately got quiet, put his phone away, and started listening intently to their conversation. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about game design.

A year later, at BlizzCon 2010, I had the opportunity to sit down with him for a casual chat in the lobby of the Anaheim Marriott. We talked about several things -- raiding, Ret Paladins, how the convention was going -- but at some point I brought up that I'd considered applying for a position at Blizzard. We talked about it for a while, and though I didn't end up applying at the time, he seemed genuine in saying that Blizzard is a great place to work. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about Blizzard Entertainment.

A few months ago, on my third day as a Blizzard employee, I met him again at my first developer meeting. He didn't ignore the new face or just give me a casual "hello" -- he walked around the conference table and across the room to give me a hug. That was when I knew Greg truly cared about his co-workers.

And then a couple days ago, he came by the Community team's area to share a beer and let us know he'd be moving on. He wanted us to hear it directly from him. That was when I knew that Greg cares just as much today as he did when I met him back in 2009.

Greg, you've done amazing things for this game, not just on the design side of things, but for the community as well. You will be sorely missed, and I wish you the absolute best in your new opportunity. Thank you. Stay in touch.

All true. All the feels.

Gonna miss dat crab.

I wish I had gotten to know you more during my short time here. Every experience with you has been great. You'll be missed both by Blizzard and the community :)

Good luck with the next opportunity!