Chris Metzen talks about heroes
by Daniel Whitcomb 
Oct 25th 2011 at 10:30AM
Eurogamer.net recently sat down with Blizzard Senior Vice President of Creative Development Chris Metzen. They talked about the story for all three of Blizzard's big franchises and the ins and outs of creating stories and heroes for each one.
On Warcraft, Metzen waxed philosophical on creating a meaningful story for 11 million fans who are each carving out their own individual stories on their own characters, and on translating that story culturally as well linguistically between all the different cultures of the people who play WoW. As Metzen observed, a story that goes over well in North America may fall flat in China. He also talked about making lore decisions and balancing the needs and wants of the players and the writers. Sometimes the players want you to go right when you want to go left, and it is a challenge, he says, to decide which way to go.
If you're a fan of Blizzard's other franchises, there's more to read as well, from Metzen's observations on the "goofy" love story of StarCraft's Jim Raynor and Sarah Kerrigan, to the human heart at the center of Diablo's horror story. He also talks about balancing story with game design decisions and how his own personal struggles inform his work.
Chris Metzen has always been my favorite guy over at Blizzard, and this interview reminds me why. Even when I disagree with certain story or lore decisions he makes, the man has an unending fount of love and passion for his worlds, his characters and those who read or experience his work, and it shows. If you feel the same (or even if you don't), this interview is well worth reading.
Filed under: Lore, Interviews
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
Murdertime Oct 25th 2011 10:39AM
THERAMORE! BURNING RAR!
BLIZZARD FAVOURS HORDE!
COUNTERPOINT!
COUNTER-COUNTERPOINT!
AND SO ON!
NAKED APPEAL TO EMOTION! TREATING BEING IN A FACTION LIKE YOU'RE A PERSECUTED MINORITY! BAD FANFICTION! GAAAAARROSH!
And now there is no need to talk about it in this thread as well, since I've hit all the bases, I'm pretty sure. .
Matt Oct 25th 2011 10:46AM
Ok, I giggled a little bit. :)
Sinthar Oct 25th 2011 10:49AM
Erm this is not the Forums mate. I think you got misdirected. Now please go back the the forums with that type of post please. I prefer something that isnt all shouting and infering we are all ranting nerds.
hicks Oct 25th 2011 10:53AM
AGGRIEVED STRAW MAN IN WHICH I DECRY YOUR OVERSIGHT OF MENTIONING MY PET ISSUE
devilsei Oct 25th 2011 11:23AM
AARGH! COMPLAINT ABOUT YOUR APPEALS APPARENT DISREGARD FOR CLOTHING AND HOW IT ISN'T THINKING ABOUT THE CHILDREN WHEN IT RUSHES BY!
Daedalus Oct 25th 2011 11:45AM
Well reasoned point-by-point deconstruction and rebuttal of your statement that still manages to be completely oblivious to your sarcasm.
Sunaseni Oct 25th 2011 11:45AM
NONSENSICAL STATEMENT INVOLVING PLANKTON
Smashbolt Oct 25th 2011 11:55AM
INVOCATION OF GODWIN'S LAW!
StClair Oct 25th 2011 12:17PM
Declaration of exhausted patience and intent to QUIT THE GAME.
The Hammer Oct 25th 2011 12:40PM
COMPLETE DISREGAED THAT HAVING YOUR CHARACTER AND FACTION IN A LESS THAN DESIRABLE SITUATION IS ACTUALLY A GOOD THING FOR STORYTELLING, YOU NUTTERS.
The Hammer Oct 25th 2011 12:40PM
Disregard, too.
Woops.
tabardsrock Oct 25th 2011 12:48PM
lol, these comments totally reminded me of this:
http://youtu.be/AcD292xrpjY
Murdertime Oct 25th 2011 1:01PM
I like your ideas, Hammer and would like to subscribe to your newsletter.
Natsumi Oct 25th 2011 2:09PM
MANDATORY DECLARATION FOR MY FACTION!
Duts Oct 25th 2011 2:41PM
OBLIGATORY COMMENT VIS-A-VIS SOME SEXUAL ACT BETWEEN ME AND YOUR MOM FOLLOWED BY A BLANKET STATEMENT THAT YOU ARE A TERRIBAD NOOB THAT FAILS AND I AM SUPER-AWESOME.
squig_masta Oct 25th 2011 3:25PM
one-word statement indicating that the gms and higher-ups have been notified of your abusive language and inflammatory remarks about one's parent/guardian
Gwiddich Oct 25th 2011 3:57PM
Here is the issue *I* have.. it isn't that the Horde had X of Y zones.. its that the Horde came here from *somewhere else* and invaded Azeroth. The Alliance has been fighting back, and they now have almost 50% control of their NATIVE LANDS. That is a BAD scenario.
You want equality? How about a counter attack on the Horde homeworld? How much territory does the Alliance control there?
Horde fans: your perspective is lacking. You are an invading force. 50% of the land isn't yours by default.
Murdertime Oct 25th 2011 4:31PM
And now you've ruined it D:
Revrant Oct 25th 2011 4:45PM
JAINA AND THRALL BLAR BLAR RUINED ROMANCE BLAR BLAR DUMB ORC MARY SUE BLAR BLAR
kevin.luang Oct 25th 2011 5:15PM
INFLAMMATORY STATEMENT ABOUT A TOPIC UNRELATED TO THIS THREAD!
DERAILING OF TOPIC INTO STRANGE NETHER REALM OF ANGER!
INEVITABLE LOCKING OF THREAD BY MOD WITH A CLEVERLY DISGUISED NOTION ABOUT POSTERS BEING IDIOTS!