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Diablo Community Manager Nevalistis Leaves Blizzard

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Diablo Community Manager Nevalistis is leaving Blizzard to pursue something new.

Brandy Camel aka Nevalistis today announced that she's leaving Blizzard after 8.5 years.

Blizzard LogoBlizzard (Source)

This is, undoubtedly, one of the hardest things I’ve ever had to write. Not gonna lie, it took me a few tries.

March 27, 2020 will be my final day as Diablo Community Manager, and at Blizzard Entertainment. I’m not leaving for any ill reasons; my team here has always been understanding and kind, every developer I’ve had the honor of interacting with has been delightfully passionate, and the decision to leave was ultimately mine alone. I have an opportunity to explore a new and very different adventure, and if you’re curious about that, I’ll share more about it on my personal channels. Sometimes, opportunity presents itself and you just gotta roll the dice.

What I want to focus on is expressing my gratitude to this community . For welcoming me when I stumbled in at the announcement of Reaper of Souls. For making me feel at home as I was trembling on livestream, fighting stage fright while introducing the expansion to the world. For all the smiles, high-fives, hugs, and selfies at conventions (especially BlizzCon). For the absolute conviction and passion for Sanctuary that I see in every player’s post, whether it’s excitement over the latest Season or constructive criticism for your favorite class. Regardless of highs and lows, this is one of the best communities out there, and the heart of it is warm, caring, and filled with people who just want more Diablo.

Thank you for permitting me to be a part of your community. Thank you for reading my weird blogs and tolerating my terrible puns and memes. And thank you for staying awhile to listen. I’ve had an incredible opportunity learn and grow as person that I’ll carry with me the rest of my life, and I can’t wait to delve the depths of the Burning Hells and face down the mother of Sanctuary alongside the rest of you.

Lastly, rest assured that the Diablo community will be left in good hands. I’ve spent a fair amount of my final weeks here preparing to pass the torch to those who will follow in my footsteps and working with the team here to ensure the transition is as smooth as possible. You won’t be left unheard or unacknowledged, but please be understanding while the next folks get settled in. We’re all here to battle the demons of Hell together, after all!

I’ll see you in Sanctuary, adventurers.

Starting April 6, she will be working as a Community Manager for Dungeons and Dragons. We wish you the best of luck!

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I mean this is pure conjecture on my part, but I don't think the Diablo Immortal drama did this team's self esteem any favors. The monsterous backlash and general negativity flung Blizzard's way the past year and a half I'm sure weighed heavy on some, particularly someone who is responsible for dealing with the community directly. I think those events have to be somewhat connected to the decision to leave. Again, this is just speculation.

 

Regardless, I wish Nevalistis the best in all their endeavors.

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On 3/27/2020 at 3:15 PM, TyZone said:

I mean this is pure conjecture on my part, but I don't think the Diablo Immortal drama did this team's self esteem any favors. The monsterous backlash and general negativity flung Blizzard's way the past year and a half I'm sure weighed heavy on some, particularly someone who is responsible for dealing with the community directly. I think those events have to be somewhat connected to the decision to leave. Again, this is just speculation.

 

Regardless, I wish Nevalistis the best in all their endeavors.

I'm sure it didn't feel good at the time, but I doubt this was in consideration for even a fraction of a second when faced with a massive (and, at least in internet terms, also contentious) brand such as D&D. That's quite the opportunity - congrats to her.

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