Patch 5.4 patch notes
Virtual Realms feature revealed
The Proving Grounds are coming
The latest patch 5.4 newsEyonix 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 3 of 3)
Doomsayer Apr 3rd 2010 5:15AM
Yet another sign of the near end of World of Warcraft. First, UP dropping their cards and now this. The stars are aligning, the heralds call for deliverance! The END IS NIGH! THE END IS NIGH! REPENT! REPENT!
I give it 3 more years before we begin to see server closings and populations are merged on to smaller servers. Get your epeen' raid rage on now kids, because the end is a comin!
GeekNoire Apr 3rd 2010 7:45AM
Let me preference this by saying I have no problem with any of the other community managers. They have a tough job and most of them handle themselves with grace, intelligence, and a good deal of humor.
Eyonix on the other hand - don't let the door hit your a$$ on the way out. Good riddance!
perderedeus Apr 3rd 2010 8:30AM
That's sad. He was pretty cool as a CM.
I wonder if it is a sign of internal politics/problems (pay, direction, conditions), or simply a want or need to move on. One can speculate until the cows come home.
BigBadGooz Apr 3rd 2010 10:10AM
now eyonix will lead the CM position for aeon :D i kid but laterz little welpling charr your enemys
Branalia Apr 3rd 2010 10:37AM
I still don't get why anyone would leave the best video game developer in the USA (if not the world). Unless he's got enough bags of money to sleep on and retire in his mid-30s.
Ringo Flinthammer Apr 3rd 2010 11:49AM
Because being community manager might not have been the height of his ambition.
Yeshe Apr 3rd 2010 11:43AM
I imagine the long hours eventually eat away at your life. I read elsewhere that the standard for CMs is 60 hours per week and on projects it goes to 80. Even if paid for all that extra time in, that's still a lot of hours unavailable to do other things in life.
Eyonix was the passion behind the Guild Relations Program and other community-building enterprises. We will miss him.
Ringo Flinthammer Apr 3rd 2010 11:49AM
Well, I think it's sad that he's going to work for Sonic Burger, but other than that, I salute anyone who has the ability to move on from Blizzard to bigger and better things -- that's a rare achievement, IMO. ;)
Evi Apr 4th 2010 4:38PM
Eyonix, you will be greatly missed.
Waterloo Apr 5th 2010 9:54AM
As a TBC-era Shaman, I will not miss him.
Google "bus shock" if you need explanation. TLDR version: a player was really rude, Eyonix went emo, and the entire class suffered.