ArenaNet Co-Founder Leaves Company

Last time ArenaNet was in the news, it was because the company had been forced to enact a series of layoffs that left the company dwarfed in size, with 140 developers being given the axe, and left many people wondering what the future of Guild Wars 2 would ultimately be.

Well, that future is still uncertain, but one thing is for sure: Mike O’Brien, president and co-founder of the company, is leaving after 19 years of dedicated service.

“We (the founders) couldn’t have known then the extent of the journey we were embarking on or all the wonderful and talented people who would join us along the way. For the past two decades we’ve gotten to work with brilliant developers and advisors, we’ve enjoyed an amazing relationship with the Guild Wars community, and were able to pursue the games of our dreams.

I’ve appreciated every moment of it. But the time has come for me to take a step back. Next week I’ll join some of my friends in forming a new studio. We’ll go back to the beginning and make small games again.

I want to thank the Guild Wars community for supporting us all these years. Some of my happiest times have been hanging out with you at launch days, anniversary parties, championship matches, trade shows and other gatherings. It’s great to see so many of the same faces year after year. My goal in making games is always to entertain people, so nothing makes me happier than to think we made a game that could entertain people for years.”

So, he’s not leaving the games industry, just going to try for smaller things. That’s understandable. But here’s one more interesting tidbit that might catch your eye:

“Two years ago, when I transitioned away from the Guild Wars 2 game director role to focus on new product development, I asked Mike Zadorojny to take on that role. Now as he takes on a larger leadership role, I am confident that ArenaNet and Guild Wars 2 are in good hands.”

A passing mention, but one that’s catching a lot of people’s eyes, as Kotaku is reporting that this unnamed project is actually the long-awaited Guild Wars 3… or at least, something that could have turned into a Guild Wars 3.

However, with the company recently cut nearly in half, the loss of their president, and NCSOFT’s apparent disinterest in this franchise, it’s really a mystery if we can reasonably hope for a Guild Wars 3…

Still, best of luck to Mike O'Brien in his future endevors.