Jon Shafer leaves Firaxis

**Robert Plomp** · December 21, 2010, 16:14

Jon Shafer, Lead Designer of Civilization V has left Firaxis. Jon joined Firaxis in 2005 after being a Civ Fan and Civ Modder before. Jon has always been a respected member of Apolyton where he was involved among many other things in Civ3 demogames. Jon Shafer worked on Civilization IV, when Soren Johnsen was the lead designer. For Civilization V Shafer became the lead himself.

According to the Escapist Jon left Firaxis himself and was not let go by the company. "It appears that the departure is amicable to both sides as Shafer made sure to say that he left willingly and was not fired or pushed out."
Jon Shafer's response is quoted on Flash of Steel saying: "I very much enjoyed my time Firaxis, worked on many projects that I’ve very proud of and got to know a lot of amazing people. I’m appreciative of the opportunities provided by Firaxis and 2K, and hope to see (and play) more great games from them in the future."
Firaxis games comment on this same website: "We are grateful for Jon’s contributions to Firaxis and the Civilization franchise and wish him all the best in the future."

It is unknown what the future for the still young developer holds. Neither is it known what the impact will be on Civilization V and future patches or DLC. Apolyton hopes that Jon will not be lost for the Civ community! We wish you all the best for the rest of your career Jon!!

Discuss Jon's departure from Firaxis in our forums

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**Asher** · December 21, 2010, 16:16

It appears that the departure is amicable to both sides

Read between the lines...

Shame though. Maybe he can post more now.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · December 21, 2010, 16:43

Did you know there are 10 Public Relations persons per 1 Journalist? It's very clear if you read this message..

**notyoueither** · December 21, 2010, 18:05

Roh oh.

**DaShi** · December 21, 2010, 18:48

Smart man.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · December 21, 2010, 22:55

Thinking about it, my money is on Jon being a scapegoat within the Firaxis hierarchy. He might have made Sid millions with Civ5, but it's still below expectations.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · December 21, 2010, 23:02

Looking at the source (someone who monitored Jon's LinkedIn), this appears to be hush-hush event which happened quite a while ago; we weren't informed for the obvious reasons.

**Robert Plomp** · December 22, 2010, 00:23

What's up with all the conspiracy thinking that has infected people in the past few years?

**Boris Godunov** · December 22, 2010, 00:41

Considering he doesn't appear to have moved to another job but is instead now unemployed, and that Civ V is supposedly due to have many more updates and thus is unfinished business for him, I certainly would say his departure at this time is indicative of a parting of ways that wasn't voluntary on his part. Or at least, creative differences led to a mutual agreement to part ways...

**Combat Ingrid** · December 22, 2010, 04:52

I think this is what happened:

**Krill** · December 22, 2010, 05:54

Who is the new lead dev? I wonder how the Frankies feel not knowing who to blow now?

**Nikolai** · December 22, 2010, 09:24

That would assume, aside from us blowing people, that we don't know, won't it?

Do we know?
Don't we?

Teh suspense!

**Arrian** · December 22, 2010, 09:51

Yeah, amicable.

"Jon, we're letting you go."
"Ok, I understand."

Amicable.

-Arrian

**ColdPhoenix** · December 22, 2010, 10:13

Originally Posted by Zoetstofzoetje

Thinking about it, my money is on Jon being a scapegoat within the Firaxis hierarchy. He might have made Sid millions with Civ5, but it's still below expectations.

He might have made Sid millions? Civ5 was always going to make millions no matter who the lead designer was and no matter how well they led the design.

**Asher** · December 22, 2010, 10:32

Originally Posted by Boris Godunov

Considering he doesn't appear to have moved to another job but is instead now unemployed, and that Civ V is supposedly due to have many more updates and thus is unfinished business for him, I certainly would say his departure at this time is indicative of a parting of ways that wasn't voluntary on his part. Or at least, creative differences led to a mutual agreement to part ways...

**notyoueither** · December 22, 2010, 11:23

Originally Posted by Boris Godunov

Considering he doesn't appear to have moved to another job but is instead now unemployed, and that Civ V is supposedly due to have many more updates and thus is unfinished business for him, I certainly would say his departure at this time is indicative of a parting of ways that wasn't voluntary on his part. Or at least, creative differences led to a mutual agreement to part ways...

Maybe he has a new job lined up, but he is taking a break over the holidays. Or maybe he's moving in with Aeson and will exploit the brussel sprouts resource.

**Asher** · December 22, 2010, 11:27

I think it's more likely he realized the video game racket is nice to work in in theory, but godawful in practice. Sucks all the joy out of gaming, all for a tiny paycheque and long hours.

**notyoueither** · December 22, 2010, 11:32

Originally Posted by Krill

Who is the new lead dev? I wonder how the Frankies feel not knowing who to blow now?

What do you have against the beta testers?

**Wiglaf** · December 23, 2010, 02:02

Thank god the Jon Shafer is gone. He jettisoned a half-completed piece of crap all over my Steam account and still has not flushed it. In what other industry can you do that and hold onto your job. My accountant only reports half of my income.

**Brael** · December 23, 2010, 15:15

Originally Posted by Wiglaf

Thank god the Jon Shafer is gone. He jettisoned a half-completed piece of crap all over my Steam account and still has not flushed it. In what other industry can you do that and hold onto your job. My accountant only reports half of my income.

Movies, television, music, etc... pretty much any entertainment medium.

**Robert Plomp** · December 23, 2010, 16:50

Blaming the developer for releasing an unfinished product is never a good idea. 2K decides when the game is being released. Not Firaxis or the developers.

I remember reading an interview with Jon, shortly before release, in which he expressed that he saw many flaws in the game and was unsure about it. But then he said that others told him that it was great. Does anybody remember that interview? A link perhaps? I'd like to read it again with the knowledge of today.

**Dale** · December 23, 2010, 18:59

Originally Posted by Krill

Who is the new lead dev? I wonder how the Frankies feel not knowing who to blow now?

You assume we don't know. Interesting.

You also assume we like/d Civ 5. Also interesting.

Krill, after getting a glimpse of Franky, I thought you of all people would've known how it works in there.

**Japher** · December 27, 2010, 13:49

I find it funny that "respected member of" and "apolyton" were used in the same sentence.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · December 27, 2010, 15:37

well yes, it is a tautology isn't it?

**Apocalypse** · December 28, 2010, 22:23

Sad.

Why does Apolyton look like Bing now.

**Krill** · December 28, 2010, 22:25

Let us see now...most beta testers are either dumb or sell outs. And that is partly one of the reasons several players have refused to become beta testers. And sb is correct.

**wodan11** · December 28, 2010, 22:28

Originally Posted by Krill

Let us see now...most beta testers are either dumb or sell outs. And that is partly one of the reasons several players have refused to become beta testers.

If true, that would be a cop out.

**Zoetstofzoetje** · December 28, 2010, 23:15

Originally Posted by Apocalypse

Why does Apolyton look like Bing now.

'cuzz Bing is modern shizzle

**notyoueither** · December 29, 2010, 01:47

Originally Posted by Krill

Let us see now...most beta testers are either dumb or sell outs. And that is partly one of the reasons several players have refused to become beta testers. And sb is correct.

I feel you are being too hard on them. You should know most of them have very little influence on the finished product, but most get highly invested in it.

Other than that, you're being an a$$hole. I'm wondering why you feel the need.