Former Overwatch Director Jeff Kaplan Reveals New Open-World Survival Shooter ‘The Legend of California’

Jeff Kaplan, the former Blizzard Entertainment Vice President and the visionary lead behind Overwatch, parted ways with the company in 2021. His exit followed a reported ultimatum from leadership: generate aggressive recurring revenue or face a massive reduction in workforce. According to a candid interview with PC Gamer, Kaplan chose to walk away, subsequently founding his own independent studio, Kintsugiyama. Now, after years of silent development, the studio has finally unveiled its debut title.

Departing from the high-fantasy lore of Warcraft and the vibrant futurism of Overwatch, The Legend of California is an ambitious open-world survival shooter. Set against the gritty backdrop of the 19th-century Gold Rush, the game trades pulse rifles for period-accurate weaponry and rugged frontier survival.

In this reimagined “mythical Island of California,” players must scrounge for resources and defend their claims. The experience is designed for both solo explorers and cooperative groups of up to four. Beyond standard survival tropes like harvesting timber for fortifications, players can raid enemy-occupied outposts for profit. The game features a persistent online environment where pioneers can build sprawling ranches, manage stables, and delve deep into treacherous mineshafts.

The Legend of California is scheduled to enter Early Access on Steam for PC sometime in 2026.