Eyonix leaving Blizzard
by Michael Sacco 
Apr 2nd 2010 at 6:00PM
"For nearly six years, we've shared our thoughts with one and other, we've laughed, we've argued, and we've cried -- the crying part was just me wasn't it? Those times, I'm afraid must come to an end as I've made the decision to explore opportunities outside of Blizzard.
My perspective might be a little different than some readers' due to my employment history, but I've always felt for the plight of the community manager, especially at Blizzard. Become emotionally detached, they say you're not passionate. Become emotionally invested, they say you take it too personally. Eyonix has generally managed to strike that particular balance -- no mean feat for a community manager, especially one for a community so inherently unmanageable. He was one of the good guys.It has very honestly been a huge pleasure, and I thank you all for allowing 'Eyonix' to always remain a very fond memory as I move on."
We'll likely never know what caused his departure, especially given that there was definitely no horrible public meltdown accompanying this particular exit, but I hope that the move is a positive and fortuitous one for him. Even when I might've disagreed with the Community team at large, I always supported Eyonix.
Godspeed, little whelp.
Filed under: Blizzard, News items
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Ramco Apr 2nd 2010 6:02PM
His calender is a day off.
Hih Apr 2nd 2010 9:44PM
The picture made me giggle.
Dairune Apr 2nd 2010 6:08PM
What? No /ragequit?
I am dissapoint.
Al in SoCal Apr 2nd 2010 6:13PM
"We'll likely never know what caused his departure"
I know most of us invest quite a bit of time on WoW, but these people are employees and Blizzard / Activision is just a company. So being that it is a job. Perhaps he got a new one.
Ginny Apr 4th 2010 7:50PM
To quote him: "Sometimes the hedgehog, is not really a hedgehog, but actually the single most powerful, immutable force on Earth. Understand now?"
I suspect a job at Sega?
Turlagh Apr 7th 2010 12:24AM
Yep! Hedgehog!
revan Apr 2nd 2010 6:14PM
Today is a sad day =/
Neirin Apr 2nd 2010 6:17PM
/salute Eyonix
*moment of silence*
Eyhk Apr 2nd 2010 6:18PM
Just some insight from actually having the opportunity to visit Blizz HQ for an interview, for a lot of the key teams, work = life. 60 hour work weeks are normal and almost expected (no approval needed for working overtime@1.5xpay up to 20 hours overtime), and there are weeks where 80 hours is needed(@2xpay). After 6 years, I'm pretty sure its exhausting and a point comes where you need to move on with your life and away from that kind of work schedule.
Much respect and gluck on future endeavors!
Eyhk Apr 2nd 2010 6:20PM
Just my 2 cents, not neccessarily saying that that's what happened.
Eyhk Apr 2nd 2010 6:23PM
Oh, and guess what, there are Blizzard employees that don't know (or didn't know) that 80 was the current level cap! Astonishing I know, but that's just the difference between work vs play ;-)
Carson Apr 2nd 2010 10:31PM
Blizzard staff get PAID for overtime??
Well now we know where the billion dollars a year goes. Not the same place as most game studios spend their money.
Nith Apr 3rd 2010 11:37AM
Yeah, unless you are lucky enough to be a contractor you don't usually get overtime in the IT industry. You get a salary which means you have no per hour rate, you just get a set amount per month whether you work 40 hours or 80. If Blizz seriously pays overtime for their employees i'm gonna start browsing their career site more regularly.
Drakkenfyre Apr 2nd 2010 6:21PM
Aww, damn.
And I see the Tseric reference.
Erzfiend Apr 2nd 2010 6:22PM
Godspeed, indeed.
/salute
Jordan Apr 2nd 2010 6:24PM
I have nothing but sympathy for anyone in Eyonix's position. I also work as a community moderator (though admittedly with a posting base a fraction of the size of Blizzard's), and whenever I get frustrated with the amount of disrespect, trolling and general rudeness in the forums I moderate, I just hop on over to the WoW forums to remind myself it could always be far, far worse.
Nonny Apr 2nd 2010 6:50PM
I volunteer as a moderator and admin for a large-ish forum, though nothing compared to the size of Blizzard's. It's a thankless task, and there's always someone to complain that you're doing it wrong. I can't imagine moderating in the WoW general forums atmosphere. I've commented many a time, I have nothing but respect for the people who take on that job and somehow manage not to burn out immediately.
Vaeku Apr 2nd 2010 7:05PM
@Nonny, Jordan
I also agree. I was an administrator and moderator for a few different forums and was also became the head admin for another forum, and I know what it's like. Granted, those forums were considerably smaller than the WoW forums, and the community that I was the head admin of was a closer-knit community and got along very well, but still. I got extremely frustrated with two trolls on that community that just kept coming back, so I really respect those that moderate the WoW forums. An endless amount of trolls.
But it's still sad to see someone go that we know and see a lot.
Also, wasn't Eyonix the one that left the least amount of cryptic messages?
Risible Apr 2nd 2010 6:37PM
Eyonix, take care bro.
ne.musabb Apr 2nd 2010 6:41PM
Take care Eyonix. We'll miss your calm demeanor and clever wit in the Forums.