Jacob Alka

It's Obvious Gaming podcast host. Gym enthusiast. 💪 Atlanta Falcons #RiseUp. Linkin Park #MakeChesterProud.

[Wholesome Side of 𝕏 @itsme_urstruly]

Huge fan of whatever the grandma is doing

[Lex Fridman @lexfridman]

Here's my conversation with Jeff Kaplan, a legendary Blizzard game designer of World of Warcraft and Overwatch, which are two of the biggest, most influential games ever made. Jeff is one of the most genuine & awesome human beings I've ever met: kind, thoughtful, hilarious, and still & forever a gamer through and through.

This was a truly fun & inspiring conversation. We talk about it all: the lows, the highs, the memes, the details of the game design process, and the new game he's been secretely working on: The Legend of California. I got a chance to play the game with Jeff, and it's incredibly beautiful (and fun). You can wishlist it on Steam now. I can't wait to play it with all of you!

Conversation is here on X in full and is up everywhere else (see comment).

Timestamps:
0:00 - Episode highlight
1:27 - Introduction
4:07 - Early games: Pac-Man, Zork, Doom, Quake
18:33 - Writing career - 170 rejection letters
34:06 - EverQuest obsession
47:04 - Getting hired at Blizzard
1:02:32 - Lowest point in Jeff's life
1:08:37 - One of Us
1:12:54 - Early Blizzard culture
1:32:36 - Building World of Warcraft
1:50:20 - How WoW changed video games
2:07:42 - Single-player vs Multi-player
2:28:35 - How Blizzard made great video games
2:54:25 - Online toxicity
3:01:59 - Why Titan failed
3:19:09 - Overwatch in six weeks
3:46:07 - Best Overwatch heroes
3:54:37 - The challenge of matchmaking
3:58:01 - Rust
4:08:22 - Why Jeff left Blizzard
4:30:35 - Diablo IV
4:32:03 - Getting back to making video games
4:40:59 - The Legend of California
4:54:44 - Greatest video game of all time
5:02:51 - AI and future of video games

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

Pickin' off one lucky fan👀

RT for a chance to win this signed @jlbiii3 mini helmet!

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

🎱 Giveaway!

RT for a chance to win this signed @kylepitts__ football!

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

JB3 signed it, you can win it 🔥

RT for a chance to win!

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

BIJAN ROBINSON. TOUCHDOWN.

FOX | NFL+

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

JB3 days to go = JB3 jersey giveaway

RT for a chance to win! 🚨

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

Bijan Giveaway!

RT for a chance to win this signed @Bijan5Robinson jersey!

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

This signed @themikepenix helmet could be yours 👀

RT for a chance to win!

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

TA Giveaway!

RT for a chance to win this signed @tylerallgeier25 mini helmet!

[Bring Me The Horizon @bmthofficial]

Let's begin
https://t.co/uSWpFQxEC9

[Jacob Alka @Jalka27]

@Obvious_Gaming

[HIDEO_KOJIMA @HIDEO_KOJIMA_EN]

Just announced my new game “OD”.

[OVO Sound @OVOSound]

SCARY HOURS 3
TONIGHT, MIDNIGHT EST
@Drake

[SportsCenter @SportsCenter]

This angle of Bijan Robinson juking multiple defenders 😧🔥

(via @AtlantaFalcons)

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

🚨 It’s Falcons Friday 🚨

RT for a chance to win this signed @jlbiii3 red helmet AND 4 tickets to Sunday’s game!

[Atlanta Braves @Braves]

6 STRAIGHT!

The Atlanta Braves are 2023 NL East Champions!

#ForTheA

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

1-0 ✨

[Atlanta Braves @Braves]

Step 1 ☑️

#ForTheA

[Atlanta Falcons @AtlantaFalcons]

We’re ready for you, Atlanta❗️