Geoff Goodman, one of many lead builders behind beloved Overwatch characters like Tracer, Mercy, and D. Va, is not working at Activision Blizzard. Goodman “made the choice to depart Blizzard earlier this 12 months,” a Blizzard spokesperson mentioned to press. PC Gamer first reported the information on Tuesday.

As a principal sport designer at Blizzard Leisure, Goodman has been accountable for creating and balancing the playable heroes within the team-based multiplayer shooter Overwatch and its sequel. Earlier than beginning work on Overwatch, Goodman labored as an encounter designer on World of Warcraft, the place he designed boss battles.

Right here is the total assertion Activision Blizzard issued to PC Gamer on his departure:

We thank Geoff for his a few years of service at Blizzard and need him all the most effective. His capacity to carry to life Overwatch’s various hero roster by means of gameplay has been unimaginable, and the mark he’s left on the Warcraft and Overwatch groups shall be felt for years to come back.

The information in a one other speed-bump within the launch of Overwatch 2. Overwatch sport director Jeff Kaplan left the corporate in 2021 , marking a notable departure in management for the staff. And now the information of Goodman’s departure comes simply weeks earlier than the scheduled launch of Overwatch 2 on Oct. 4. The playable heroes he helped carry to life have lengthy pushed curiosity within the stylized shooter and are a central side to enjoying Overwatch. Most lately, the builders introduced the sport’s subsequent new hero: Kiriko, a ninja who will show you how to really feel tremendous cool whereas therapeutic.

Polygon reached out to Activision Blizzard for remark and can replace the article as we hear again.