Martin Kerstein & Kate Welch Leave ArenaNet

Over the past weekend, a pair of ArenaNet team members, Martin Kerstein and Kate Welch, announced they are leaving the company in what appears to be an abrupt fashion. Both cite great times working with the Guild Wars 2 team and community. Kerstein has been instrumental in the community and will seek time to 'decompress' before looking for new opportunities. Welch worked on the game's UI and will also take time to rest and renew.

Kerstein wrote:

As some of you might already know, I am no longer with ArenaNet. 8 amazing years, one hell of a ride. It took me first from Germany to the UK and then to the mothership in Bellevue.

I had the opportunity to work with so many super talented people, and I am very grateful for that. I will miss you all (then again, I probably see you in game!)

So, what’s up next? I will take a little bit to decompress (and work on my games backlog), and then I am ready for new adventures.

Read more at the links above and find out more about other issues of concern to the community in this MMORPG.com thread.