The creator of Overwatch has played more than 5,000 hours of this survival RPG

Jeff Kaplan, known for his role as the leader of Overwatch, has shared his impressive journey as a player, revealing that he has dedicated over 5,000 hours to Rust, a title he considers the pinnacle of PvP games.

However, his new project, The Legend of California, marks a notable departure from this competitive brutality. Instead of focusing on confrontation mechanics, Kaplan wants to explore a more relaxed approach, similar to games like Valheim and Subnautica, particularly regarding base building.

He is excited about his new game: The Legend of California

In statements to noclip_2, Kaplan expressed: “I have always been a big fan of the survival genre,” highlighting his particular admiration for Rust. However, unlike this, The Legend of California will not prioritize the intense PvP experience for which Rust is famous.

Kaplan has indicated that, while the game will not focus on this aspect, mechanics inspired by Rust could be implemented as an option for those servers that wish to do so, suggesting a possible customization in the gaming experience.

Kaplan’s experience in World of Warcraft is also influencing the development of his new title. The Blizzard veteran seeks to create an open-world multiplayer experience, where players from diverse backgrounds can interact in a shared space. This approach echoes his interest in how social dynamics can play a more crucial role than combat itself.

Kaplan has not hidden his admiration for other titles, positioning The Legend of Zelda: Breath of the Wild as “the greatest game ever created”. This inspiration could potentially be reflected in the artistic direction and gameplay of his own project. The Legend of California is set to be released in early access later this year, and fans are already eagerly awaiting how Kaplan will approach the survival experience.