After less than four years as Hearthstone's Game Director, Ben Lee announced on Thursday evening that he was stepping down from his role and moving to an unannounced project within Blizzard Entertainment.

While on the Coin Concede Podcast, Lee mentioned that the decision had been made months prior and that he was working with existing team members to help get them up to speed before he leaves. One such individual, Nathan Lyons-Smith, who acts as the current Executive Producer on the title, will be taking a larger role in Lee's absence.

Despite the unexpected news, Lee assured players of the collectible card game that his departure isn't a cause for concern in the immediate or long-term.

"Our game is really healthy. I don't want players to ever think that any changes in the team, whatever they may be, are something that's going to, you know, be a death knell or a negative for the future of Hearthstone," said Lee.

Throughout the nearly hour-long conversation, Lee spoke highly of the title's Battlegrounds game mode, the status of existing game modes (Arena, Mercenaries, Standard), and what players can expect over the course of the year content-wise.

Before joining Blizzard at the end of 2018, Lee spent four-and-a-half years with CD PROJEKT RED in various roles and has nearly 20 years worth of experience in the gaming industry.