Overwatch 2 Executive Producer Joins Riot Games

Jared Neuss, who served as the Executive Producer of Overwatch 2 for over two years, has made the move to Riot Games, where he will take on the role of Senior Director for Valorant. After spending two and a half years at Blizzard, Neuss returns to one of the game studios that helped shape his career, now focusing on Valorant’s continued success.

A Career Journey

Neuss initially joined Blizzard shortly after the release of Overwatch 2, stepping into the executive producer role. He previously worked as a senior producer on Halo 5: Guardians and Destiny 2, before spending four years at Riot Games. During his time there, he contributed as Production Manager for League of Legends and Director of Production for an undisclosed MMO project.

Changes in Overwatch 2 Under Neuss' Leadership

During his tenure with Overwatch 2, Neuss was instrumental in implementing major changes, including the introduction of Legacy Credits, making all new heroes free-to-play, and other community-driven adjustments. He also faced the challenging task of announcing the reduction of PvE content, a decision that earned mixed reactions from fans, despite his professional handling of the situation.

Neuss’ Return to Riot Games and Valorant

Though Overwatch 2 saw some revitalization during Neuss' time, his return to Riot Games—specifically to Valorant—is seen as a noteworthy move. Valorant, Riot’s hero shooter, has achieved massive success, consistently competing with and even surpassing its rivals in terms of player count. With Neuss now on board, the game could see even further growth and improvements.

Looking Ahead

It’s unclear who will replace Neuss as the Executive Producer of Overwatch 2, but his departure marks a significant shift for the title. The community, as well as industry colleagues, have expressed well-wishes as Neuss embarks on the next chapter of his game development journey at Riot Games.