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 decision to leave Blizzard earlier this year,” a Blizzard spokesperson stated to press. PC Gamer first reported the information on Tuesday.

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

Here is the complete 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 one of the best. His capability to carry to life Overwatch’s various hero roster by gameplay has been unbelievable, and the mark he’s left on the Warcraft and Overwatch groups can be felt for years to return.

The information in a one other speed-bump within the launch of Overwatch 2. Overwatch recreation director Jeff Kaplan left the corporate in 2021 , marking a notable departure in management for the workforce. 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 facet to enjoying Overwatch. Most not too long ago, the builders introduced the sport’s subsequent new hero: Kiriko, a ninja who will enable you really feel tremendous cool whereas therapeutic.

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