There are numerous guilds out there with celebrity members. Whether you’d ever know who they were is another question. (I’d like to apply for Henry Cavill’s.) But they don’t have what Ministry of Defense has: JOSH.

Josh is everybody’s favourite developer at Blizzard, whether they know it or not. The upcoming Legion Remix (such an awesome xpac) is his project. And when anything has anything bad or buggy happen in game, we all know who’s name to scream into the void: JOSH. He never answers.

Josh attended a course on neuroscience, and asked himself, “why is it so hard to remember this stuff vs zelda maps from 10 years ago?” Well, Josh, that’s probably because only one of those things is interesting. (I could never get into Zelda.) He decided to get his Ph.D. in human/computer interactionand did some research in how games make you reflect on your own life, change your opinions, educate you, and contribute to science. Josh likes working on video games right now because it provides such a great escape from reality (which is going so well right now).

he still has only 50% of the PhD’s Urostek has

Josh prefers to make stuff that is “fun for people to escape to”. Josh likes to be a power for good. For now. In addition to the upcoming Legion Remix, he also worked on 2024’s Love is in the Air update, and on part of the 20th anniversary celebrations.

As a developer, Josh really enjoys problem solving day to day – he likes the flexibility he’s granted and he likes to approach development problems from an intellectual/creative angle. When asked what his number #1 change to WoW would be, if he could add one with no questions asked and no limitations, Josh wanted to see a badge on every quest that he does so he can tell which quests are important to him (ie. quests that garner a mount, deep lore, humour, or a pet). When asked what he would instantly nix from the game, he felt that all of the content that didn’t “age well” (due to sexism, etc.).

Josh’s favourite NPC that was not of his own creation is Chive in Ringing Deeps that has a side quest chain to find and dig up items (Preserve and Pretend). At the end of the quest chain, he holds it up “Legend of Zelda” style (whatever that is). Along with his previously noted working on Love is in the Air, Legion Remix, and 20th Anniversary, Josh also helped with Mists of Pandaria remix, in particularly the bronze orbs that floated around – like orbs for the dreamsurge.

When Josh is feeling disloyal and ungrateful to his fans (and no doubt employer), his favourite game is “Oxygen Not Included”. He enjoys base builders and survival games. At the time of this interview (no one knows when this was, certainly not me), he was also playing Against the Storm. Josh also has hobbies outside game, which include… juggling. With 5 balls. Because 2 isn’t enough, I guess. Anyway, the best person in the world can apparently juggle 7, so that sounds pretty good. B+, Josh.

Hailing from New York, Josh lived in New Jersey for quite some time. When asked what the best thing was about where he lives, he said, “There is nothing good about NJ.” Fair enough. However, NY pizza is apparently delicious. His favourite book is the Never-ending Story (kind of like WoW is turning out to be). His favourite TV show is The Good Place. Josh’s favourite imaginary character (from any source) is Dirk Gently of Dirk Gently’s Holistic Detective Agency. His favourite foods for gaming are coffee and pretzels; his favourite non-gaming food is tacos.

Signed,
Lady Wenstledown

ps. if you get this reference we are now best friends.