Bill Petras, Renowned Art Director of Overwatch and WoW, Passes Away
Bill Petras, a prominent figure in the gaming industry who significantly contributed to Blizzard Entertainment's most iconic franchises, has passed away.
Bill Petras, a veteran at Blizzard Entertainment known for his contributions to the gaming world, has died at 30 years in the industry. He was a key player in projects like StarCraft, World of Warcraft, and Overwatch.
His childhood friend and ex-colleague, Harley D. Huggins II, announced the news on LinkedIn. Petras left behind a legacy in the gaming community and is survived by his family, who intend to hold a celebration of life in his honor.
His career highlights include setting the artistic tone for World of Warcraft at its launch in 2004, transforming its visual aesthetic and setting standards for future MMORPGs. He later went on to become involved with Overwatch, where his impact on character design was significant.
In remembering his contributions, Huggins reflected, “Billy and I started at Blizzard the same week and were close friends for 28 years. I will miss our regular, long conversations about life, game development, and art.”
Petras’s influence extended beyond gaming; his work contributed to the visuals inspiring various multimedia franchises, including comics and tabletop games.
