I think Ion is fitting in to his Game Director leadership role nicely. Took a bit for him to learn the ropes, but I feel like he’s learning and building up experience now.
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Asmon was trying to trap him into a narrative while establishing a timeline. This will be useful later, when the suspect’s story might change.
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Been saying this for awhile.
While the Microsoft deal was only just finalized and made official in the last day or two, I think there was little doubt that the shareholders were going to approve that deal. It wouldn’t shock me if there were behind the scenes discussions between various Microsoft, Activision, and Blizzard executives regarding the future: who runs what, who answers to who, do Activision and Blizzard remain autonomous, etc.
As far as discussions about Blizzard go, I’d bet money that someone at Microsoft told them straight up “Fix your image and make sure your next WoW expansion and OW2 are a success, otherwise we take over and many of you can go find new jobs.”
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In what flippin’ universe is 17 years “immediately”. Get off your alt. He’s got a LONG way to go before he regains any of my trust. IDC how easy some of you flip. When I see meaningful casual content added now that he confirmed we casuals are indeed the silent majority, then we can talk.
But comments like “it would cost you a raid tier” to implement playerhousing is disingenuous. Who cares about a raid tier, that’s the whole point of this.
He still works for Blizzard.
You shouldn’t praise his slick words.
They have to deliver first.
He pretty much had to. Think about how reviled he is among the development team.
He hasn’t built enough rapport to start asking the hard-hitting questions.
If Asmon had come out swinging, he would’ve guaranteed that no one from Blizzard would ever grant him another interview.
If he wants Ion (and others) to come back, he has to normalize relations.
He can say that, but there are two things that really make me question how genuine he is about it. First, he said raiders and dungeoneers are their core crowd. Second, his actions over the past few expansions of stripping away casual stuff and putting more effort into raids and Mythic+ speak louder than words so I will believe it when I see it.
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I’m sure a quiet threat about banning him from all their services was enough to keep him passive.
He didn’t surprise me. The guy interviewing him allowed him to filibuster so that it would eat up their time. Had the interviewer done his homework and written down some questions before hand, he wouldn’t have made the goofy question about the DMF. 
a lot of people care about a raid tier.
I’m sorry I don’t want to miss out on a tier for a feature that I will never use and have no interest in. it is a bit self-serving to say “ah yeah get rid of this feature for another feature I like better. :)”
Who is a lawyer?
Ion was a lawyer.
These days it isn’t surprising that he’s our main line between us and development as double talk is mandatory when it comes to dangling sweets in front of fans.
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I did not know that, but it does make a lot of sense. Thank you.
Ion used almost nothing but lawyer-speak when answering all of Asmongold’s questions.
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Yep and people still fall for it.
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I believe Ion is multifaceted. He may have had ideas previously that were removed by the old guard and then he was told to sell it. Wanting to preserve his position within the company, he did just that. Being a lawyer he knew how to sell it.
Now I believe many are freed up to go in different directions. Ion sells it but this time he is more comfortable because it’s more in line with his wishes.
Is it where I wish, no, but it’s vector is closer to what I hoped. I thought the Dragon race would have been a great opportunity to introduce a race that was factionless and could interact with both sides.
I have suspicions that this is because the flow of information is no longer being filtered through the oversight of old CM Lead, Josh Allen. When he took up the position, we saw a complete and utter break down in player/dev communication. Even alpha/beta feedback was widely ignored. That, coupled with his overarching resentment of the “dickbags” fostered a very negative atmosphere.
Needless to say, I am glad he’s gone and we are already seeing positive results.
Let the feedback floodgates open.
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