Just for fun I asked Chat GPT and Google’s Bard this question and this is what the AI’s had to say. How do you think it would be different?
BARD:
Sure, here are a few ways that Overwatch 2 might be different if Jeff Kaplan had stayed in charge:
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More PvE content. Kaplan has said that he always wanted Overwatch to be a PvE game, and he was working on a lot of PvE content for Overwatch 2 before he left. It’s possible that we would have seen a lot more PvE content in Overwatch 2 if Kaplan had stayed in charge.
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A more polished game. Kaplan was known for his attention to detail, and he was always pushing the team to make Overwatch the best game it could be. It’s possible that Overwatch 2 would have been a more polished game if Kaplan had stayed in charge.
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A more community-focused game. Kaplan was always very active in the Overwatch community, and he was always listening to player feedback. It’s possible that Overwatch 2 would have been more community-focused if Kaplan had stayed in charge.
In addition to these specific differences, it’s also possible that Overwatch 2 would have had a different overall feel if Kaplan had stayed in charge. Kaplan was known for his passion for the game and his commitment to making it the best it could be. It’s possible that Overwatch 2 would have had a more positive and optimistic tone if Kaplan had stayed in charge.
Of course, it’s impossible to know for sure what Overwatch 2 would have been like if Kaplan had stayed in charge. But based on his comments and interviews, it’s clear that he had a lot of passion for the game and he was always working to make it the best it could be.
CHAT GPT:
Sure, I can certainly speculate on some potential differences between Overwatch 2 under Jeff Kaplan’s leadership and the current development direction. Here are a few possibilities:
Story and Lore Emphasis: Jeff Kaplan was instrumental in creating Overwatch's rich backstory and character development, and it's likely that he would have continued to place a strong emphasis on story in Overwatch 2. Kaplan might have introduced new heroes and locations to further flesh out the Overwatch universe, and he may have focused on making the game's narrative more cohesive and immersive.
Continued Balancing and Refinement: One of Jeff Kaplan's strengths was his ability to balance and refine Overwatch's gameplay mechanics over time. Under his leadership, Overwatch saw numerous tweaks and adjustments to hero abilities, maps, and game modes, all aimed at making the game more fun and balanced. If Kaplan had remained in charge, it's likely that he would have continued to refine the gameplay mechanics in Overwatch 2, perhaps introducing new heroes or modes to keep things fresh.
Community Engagement: Jeff Kaplan was known for his engagement with the Overwatch community, frequently communicating with players and taking their feedback into account. Under his leadership, Overwatch implemented numerous player-requested features, such as the "Avoid as Teammate" option and the Workshop. If Kaplan had remained in charge, it's likely that he would have continued to engage with the community and incorporate their feedback into Overwatch 2's development.
A Focus on Inclusivity: Jeff Kaplan was a vocal advocate for inclusivity and diversity in the gaming industry, and this was reflected in Overwatch's diverse cast of characters. If he had remained in charge, Kaplan may have continued to prioritize inclusivity in Overwatch 2, perhaps by introducing new characters from underrepresented groups or implementing new features to make the game more accessible to a wider range of players.
Of course, these are all just possibilities, and we can’t know for sure what Overwatch 2 would have looked like under Jeff Kaplan’s leadership. However, based on his past work and leadership style, it’s likely that the game would have emphasized story, continued to refine its gameplay mechanics, engaged with the community, and prioritized inclusivity and diversity.