Classic WoW Tech Lead Brian Birmingham Departs Blizzard Under Protest

Blizzard Posted 2023/01/23 at 5:00 PM by Archimtiros

reported by BloombergUpdate: Brian Birmingham has added further detail in an extensive Twitter thread, which has been highlighted below.successfuldeveloping“When team leads asked why we had to do this, World of Warcraft directors explained that while they did not agree, the reasons given by executive leadership were that it was important to squeeze the bottom-most performers as a way to make sure everybody continues to grow,” Birmingham wrote in the email, which was reviewed by Bloomberg. “This sort of policy encourages competition between employees, sabotage of one another’s work, a desire for people to find low-performing teams that they can be the best-performing worker on, and ultimately erodes trust and destroys creativity.”

Birmingham wrote that he refused to work at Blizzard until the company removed this stack ranking policy. “If this policy can be reversed, perhaps my Blizzard can still be saved, and if so I would love to continue working there,” Birmingham wrote. “If this policy cannot be reversed, then the Blizzard Entertainment I want to work for doesn’t exist anymore, and I’ll have to find somewhere else to work.”lengthy Twitter threadone ofUpdate from Brian Birminghamextensive Twitter thread

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Comment by nastywafflesxxxWell rip SoM 2Comment by AphelyiteUnfortunate, but good on him for standing by his values. I doubt they'll learn anything from this.Comment by ZolthGood guy BrianComment by CajunComradeSolidarityComment by Tankjr01God speed Brian, thanks for being human.Comment by Fera1yBlizzard really has been infested with out of touch corporate boomers who have no idea what they're doing lmao... Happens to every company that makes it big I guessComment by AlkbuttsGood on him, this is a gross system.Comment by TehLucarioYikes. Hope the publicity has some blow back...

Who am I kidding I'm still gonna play DF like normalComment by dokeefe1986the reasons given by executive leadership were that it was important to squeeze the bottom-most performers as a way to make sure everybody continues to growComment by AmatyrGood for him making a stand. Stack ranking is abhorrent.Comment by NiniannWow, super sad news, does not bode well for the future of classic, unfortunately. :(Comment by IntervencionThanks for trying Brian, we need more people like you.Comment by Poo420Can blizz stop doing weird &*!@ and just make a sick version of classic, seriously just *!@#ing do it.Comment by bubsterichgiga chadComment by Raecared@#$% those executives.Comment by dmasterNot really an uncommon thing in the tech world, it's just as unpopular everywhere except by management that doesn't get stack ranked of course.

Imagine if you had to pick one of the 10 highest ranked execs, take away their stock comp and hope they stick around after. It'd be mutiny.Comment by SquishyyGood on him.
Although this system could have been put in place due to managers abusing and just giving their whole team high scores. Happened in my company and I'm getting screwed for it...
I don't agree with it but the higher ups may have had no choice in this.Comment by ReelJVWe all hate Blizzard. Everyone does. And they just keep doubling down and making things worse. I would be okay with WoW ending just to see Blizzard go down.Comment by DremallIt's an awful policy, and is way too prevelant in too many industries. Our company uses it, and we're not allowed to give out the highest tier of review as only one or two people hand picked by the ceo get it.Comment by WizeGuyGamingUnfortunate, but good on him for standing by his values. I doubt they'll learn anything from this.

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