Former Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick slammed the 2016 Warcraft film adaptation as "one of the worst movies I've ever seen" in a recent interview with Grit. Kotick, who helmed Activision Blizzard for 32 years before his departure in December 2023, attributed the film's negative impact to the significant distraction it caused within the World of Warcraft development team, contributing to the departure of veteran designer Chris Metzen in 2016.
Kotick described Metzen as the "heart and soul of creativity" at the company, highlighting his burnout stemming from the film's production. He criticized the movie's development as a resource drain and a major distraction for the game developers, who were involved in various aspects of the film's production, from casting to on-set assistance. This, he claimed, led to delays in World of Warcraft expansions and patches.
Despite the film's international success, grossing $439 million globally (though ultimately deemed a financial failure due to its massive budget), Kotick maintained its negative effect on the game's development. He revealed that Metzen, deeply affected by the film's production, left to establish a board game company. Kotick subsequently attempted to persuade Metzen to return as a consultant, but Metzen expressed dissatisfaction with the planned expansions, advocating for a complete overhaul.
While Kotick stated that he and Metzen rarely interacted after his return, he credited Metzen's significant involvement in the latest expansion, praising its quality and positive reception. This sentiment is echoed in a review of the expansion, which received a 9/10 score, highlighting its revitalizing impact on the long-running MMO. The interview suggests a complex relationship between the film's production, the creative direction of World of Warcraft, and the departure of a key figure in the game's development.
