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{{Infobox
  
{{Infobox
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|above = Blizzard Entertainment
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|image = [[File:Blizzard Entertainment logo.png|250px]]
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|image = [[File:Blizzard Entertainment logo.png|250px]]
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|caption = ''Video game developer and publisher''
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|caption = ''Video game developer and publisher''
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|label1 = Formerly called
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|data1 = Silicon & Synapse<br />(1991–1994)<br />Chaos Studios, Inc.<br />(1994)
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|data1 = Silicon & Synapse<br />(1991–1994)<br />Chaos Studios, Inc.<br />(1994)
  
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|data2 = Subsidiary
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|data2 = Subsidiary
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|label3 = Industry
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|data3 = Video game industry
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|label3 = Industry
  
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|label4 = Founded
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|data3 = Video game industry
  
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|data4 = February 8, 1991
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|label5 = Founders
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|data4 = February 8, 1991
  
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|data5 = [[Allen Adham]]<br />[[Michael Morhaime]]<br />[[Frank Pearce]]
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|label5 = Founders
  
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|label6 = Headquarters
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|data5 = [[Allen Adham]]<br />[[Michael Morhaime]]<br />[[Frank Pearce]]
  
  ⚫
|data6 = {{wplink|Irvine}}, {{wplink|California}}, {{wplink|United States|U.S.}}
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|label6 = Headquarters
  
  ⚫
|label7 = Number of locations
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|data6 = {{wplink|Irvine}}, {{wplink|California}}, {{wplink|United States|U.S.}}
  
  ⚫
|data7 = 9 (studios and offices)
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|label7 = Number of locations
  
  ⚫
|label8 = Key people
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|data7 = 9 (studios and offices)
  
  ⚫
|data8 = Michael Morhaime <small>(President and CEO)</small><br />Allen Adham <small>(Senior Vice President and Former President)</small>
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|label8 = Key people
  
  ⚫
|label9 = Products
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|data8 = Michael Morhaime <small>(President and CEO)</small><br />Allen Adham <small>(Senior Vice President and Former President)</small>
  
  ⚫
|data9 = ''[[Diablo franchise|Diablo]]'' series<br />''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]''<br />''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''<br />''[[Overwatch]]''<br />''[[StarCraft franchise|StarCraft]]'' series<br /> ''[[Warcraft universe|Warcraft]]'' series
⚫
|label9 = Products
  
  ⚫
|label10 = Parent
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|data9 = ''[[Diablo franchise|Diablo]]'' series<br />''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]''<br />''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''<br />''[[Overwatch]]''<br />''[[StarCraft franchise|StarCraft]]'' series<br /> ''[[Warcraft universe|Warcraft]]'' series
  
  ⚫
|data10 = [[Activision Blizzard]]
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|label10 = Parent
  
  ⚫
|label11 = Website
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|data10 = [[Activision Blizzard]]
  
  ⚫
|data11 = [https://www.blizzard.com blizzard.com]
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|label11 = Website
  
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|data11 = [https://www.blizzard.com blizzard.com]
  
 
}}
  
}}
   

Revision as of 01:17, 5 March 2018

Blizzard Entertainment
File:Blizzard Entertainment logo.png
Video game developer and publisher
Formerly called Silicon & Synapse
(1991–1994)
Chaos Studios, Inc.
(1994)
Type Subsidiary
Industry Video game industry
Founded February 8, 1991
Founders Allen Adham
Michael Morhaime
Frank Pearce
Headquarters Irvine, California, U.S.
Number of locations 9 (studios and offices)
Key people Michael Morhaime (President and CEO)
Allen Adham (Senior Vice President and Former President)
Products Diablo series
Hearthstone
Heroes of the Storm
Ability warrior intervene [Overwatch]
StarCraft series
Warcraft series
Parent Activision Blizzard
Website blizzard.com
Blizzard'sFancyOrcOnWolfStatue

A statue of an orc riding a wolf, located outside Blizzard's office.

Blizzard Entertainment® (often shortened to "Blizzard" or "Blizz" by players) is a video game developer & publisher that is responsible for the Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Ability warrior intervene [Overwatch] franchises. The company originally concentrated primarily on the creation of game ports for other studios before beginning development of their own program with the development of games like Rock n' Roll Racing & The Lost Vikings.

In July 2008, Blizzard's parent company, Vivendi, merged their Vivendi Games subsidiary with Activision to create a new holding company called Activision Blizzard.[1][2] Five years later, in July 2013, Vivendi sold off most of its shares in Activision Blizzard, which now exists as an independent company.[3] As of October 2014, the company employs over 3,900 individuals.[4]

Core values

Blizzard Entertainment lists its eight core values on their mission statement page:

  1. Gameplay first
  2. Commit to quality
  3. Play nice; play fair
  4. Embrace your inner geek
  5. Every voice matters
  6. Think globally
  7. Lead responsibly
  8. Learn and grow[5]

History

File:Blizzard Entertainment original.gif

The first logo

Originally under the name Silicon & Synapse, the company was founded on February 8, 1991[6][7] by three graduates of the University of California, Los Angeles:[8] Allen Adham and Michael Morhaime. Brian Fargo, the CEO and founder of Interplay Entertainment, was granted a share in the company to improve the prospects of working jointly for the young studio.[9][10] Frank Pearce also joined the studio upon inception as the first employee.[11]

The small company initially did many "ports", converting games from one platform operating system to another, including board games (Battle Chess, Lexicross), strategy games (Castles), sports games (Amiga Baseball), and others (Dvorak Teaches Typing), though the company did become the first American developer to release a Super Nintendo title with RPM Racing, which became one of the first ten launch titles for the platform in North America.[11]

It was not until Interplay Entertainment and Silicon & Synapse collaborated on the SNES side-scroller The Lost Vikings that its critical -- though not commercial -- breakthrough came. With some acclaim, the game hit the shelves in 1993. The game's release, along with Rock & Roll Racking (also 1993) led Nintendo to name the studio its "Developer of the Year". Tragically, the release of the two games coincided with the death of the 16-bit console market, and neither title sold well.[11]

In August of 1995, the company moved from a 3,600 sq. ft. office in Costa Mesa to a 14,000 sq. ft. office in Irvine, CA.[6]

Facing a lack of success in the console market, and not willing to bet solely on one market, the company continued developing several 16-bit console titles while branching out by starting development on two new games: Games People Play, a crossword/word-game that was never completed, and Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, whose development was led by its second employee and VP of Research & Development, Patrick Wyatt.[11]

The company temporarily re-branded itself as Chaos Studios and released the game Blackthorne under that studio name, but conflicts with an unregistered trademark for the name "Chaos" caused the company leadership to consider a new name. Upon acquisition by Davidson & Associates, then the #3 North American educational software publisher, in February 1994, the company changed its name to Blizzard Entertainment.[11]

Blizzard turned 20 years old in 2012. The history is recorded on a timeline on its own site here.[12] On February 8, 2016, Blizzard celebrated the 25th year anniversary with a video and continued to celebrate it and the Diablo 20th anniversary at BlizzCon 2016.[13][14]

Blizzard North

Main: Blizzard North

Blizzard North was originally founded in 1993 as Condor Inc. by David Brevik, Erich Schaefer and Max Schaefer. Blizzard North came out in January of 1995 with an idea pitched with Allen for Diablo.[15] The company was purchased and renamed later in March of 1996[7] and was the Bay Area division of Blizzard Entertainment, known for its Diablo series. The studio was originally based in Redwood City, California, before being moved a short distance away to San Mateo, California, with Blizzard proper being based in Irvine, southern California. On August 1, 2005, Blizzard Entertainment announced the closure of Blizzard North with a key reason for the closure was Blizzard's North poor development of what was to be Diablo III, which didn't meet Vivendi's expectations.

Games

As Condor
As Blizzard North
  • Diablo (1996) - action role-playing game
  • Diablo II (2000) - action role-playing game
  • Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (2001) - expansion pack
  • Diablo III (in development 2000-2005 and later scrapped, remade from scratch by Blizzard Team 3) - originally was planned to be a massively multiplayer online role-playing game

Blizzard South

Blizzard South was known for the StarCraft and the Warcraft series. Though the name wasn't mentioned as much, it was to keep confusion from Blizzard North as Blizzard South is based in Irvine, California, Blizzard's main location.

Teams

Blizzard Entertainment logo

alternate version of the current logo

After the release of World of Warcraft, the company divided its development staff into numerically designated teams (e.g. Team 2 is the dev team for World of Warcraft), each team focusing on a specific project. While relatively small, each team is supported by a much larger cast of employees, as well as being overseen by other groups within the company.

In addition to the numerically designated teams, "strike teams" were formed, as a result of Chris Metzen's desire to keep the company's original culture intact. These teams are not assigned to any one project, but give feedback on separate projects. A "design council" also exists, a gathering of all of the game directors and lead designers throughout the company.[4] As of August 2017, most of Blizzard's development focus is on supporting its existing IPs, but is working on new IPs as well.[16]

  • Team 1 - Heroes of the Storm
  • Team 2 - World of Warcraft
    • Formed after the release of World of Warcraft to continue development of the game.[4]
  • Team 3 - Diablo franchise[4]
  • Team 4 - Formerly responsible for Titan[4]
    • Formed in the "mid-2000s" to begin work on Titan, the company's big new IP, doomed to be scrapped in 2014.[4] The team's current focus is Ability warrior intervene [Overwatch].
  • Team 5 - Hearthstone[4]
    • Formed in 2008 for the express purpose of creating Hearthstone, Team 5 was designed as a "small and nimble" team, comprising only 15 members for most of the game's initial development.[4]
  • Classic Games
    • Formed c. 2015 to "restore" StarCraft, Warcraft III, and Diablo II.[17]

Culture

Blizzard 10 year shield

Jay Baxter's 10 year commemorative shield

Blizzard service awards

Blizzard presents its employees with special rewards to commemorate certain anniversaries at the company. The exact rewards continue to change over the years, but include rings, steins, swords, shields and a Lich King-esque helm, all exquisitely crafted to very high standards. These are often found on display at Blizzard, with swords and shields commonly hung on walls within the company's buildings.

Known rewards include:

  • 2 years - Stein
  • 5 years - Sword
  • 10 years - Shield
  • 15 years - Ring
  • 20 years - Helm

For detailed images of rewards offered since 1996, see the official Swords and Shields Ceremony gallery.

Relationship with Activision Blizzard

On December 2, 2007, Vivendi (Blizzard Entertainment's parent company) announced that their subsidiary Vivendi Games (of which Blizzard Entertainment was a part) would be merging with Activision to form Activision Blizzard. The deal was finalized on July 8, 2008. Vivendi later divested themselves of Activision Blizzard in July, 2013, and it now exists as an independent holding company.

Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. remains Blizzard's brand,[18] as it and Activision continue to exist as separate entities within the Activision Blizzard umbrella.[19] Despite many players' fears, there have been no major changes in Blizzard's operations as a result of these business deals.

Conferences

Blizzard Entertainment has conferences for Blizzard announcements and demonstrations, known as the Blizzard Entertainment World Wide Invitational and BlizzCon. The first WWI was held in Seoul, South Korea on May 19 and 20, 2007 when Blizzard officially announced StarCraft II. Paris, France hosted the second Invitational on June 28 and 29, 2008.[20]

Notes

Since their beginnings as a North American company focusing primarily on the English-speaking market, Blizzard has gone on to become a "global business".[4] As of 2014, more than half of its players are in Asia.[4]

Published games & applications

Non-franchise games

Company Title Year Platform(s) Genre
as Silicon & Synapse RPM Racing 1991 SNES Racing video game
The Lost Vikings 1992 Amiga, Amiga CD32, GBA, MS-DOS, Genesis, SNES Side-scrolling video game
Rock N' Roll Racing 1993 SNES, Genesis, GBA Racing video game
as Blizzard Entertainment Blackthorne 1994 SNES, Sega 32X, MS-DOS, GBA, Mac OS, Windows (2013) Platform game
The Death and Return of Superman 1995 SNES, Genesis Side-scrolling video game
Justice League Task Force 1995 Genesis, SNES Versus fighting game
The Lost Vikings 2 1997 SNES, Saturn, PlayStation, Windows Side-scrolling video game
Heroes of the Storm 2015 Windows, Mac OS Team Brawler
Ability warrior intervene [Overwatch] 2016 Microsoft Windows, Xbox One, Playstation 4 Team-based multiplayer shooter

Franchises

Universe Title Release date Platform(s) Genre Notes
Warcraft universe Warcraft: Orcs & Humans November 23, 1994 MS-DOS, Mac OS, PC-98 Real-time strategy Port/remake (TBA)[21][22]
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness December 9, 1995 MS-DOS, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows Real-time strategy Port/remake (TBA)[21][22]
Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal April 30, 1996 Mac OS, MS-DOS, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Microsoft Windows Real-time strategy
Warcraft II: The Dark Saga August 31, 1997 Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn Real-time strategy
Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition September 30, 1999 MS-DOS, Mac OS, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows Real-time strategy
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos July 3, 2002 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Mac OS X Real-time strategy Port/remake (TBA)[21][22]
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne July 1, 2003 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Mac OS X Real-time strategy
World of Warcraft November 24, 2004 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, (Linux via Wine or Cedega) MMORPG
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade January 16, 2007 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, (Linux via Wine or Cedega) Expansion pack
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King November 13, 2008 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Expansion pack
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm December 7, 2010 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Expansion pack
World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria September 25, 2012 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Expansion pack
Hearthstone March 11, 2014 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) CCG
Curse of Naxxramas July 22, 2014 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) Adventure pack
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor November 13, 2014 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Expansion pack
Goblins vs Gnomes December 8, 2014 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) CCG Expansion pack
Blackrock Mountain April 2, 2015 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) Adventure pack
The Grand Tournament August 24, 2015 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) CCG Expansion pack
The League of Explorers November 12, 2015 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) Adventure pack
Whispers of the Old Gods 2016 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) CCG Expansion pack
One Night in Karazhan 11 August, 2016 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) CCG Expansion pack
World of Warcraft: Legion 30 August, 2016 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Expansion pack
Mean Streets of Gadgetzan 1 December, 2016 Microsoft Windows, macOS, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) CCG Expansion pack
Journey to Un'Goro 6 April, 2017 Microsoft Windows, macOS, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) CCG Expansion pack
Knights of the Frozen Throne Early August, 2017 Microsoft Windows, macOS, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) CCG Expansion pack
Kobolds and Catacombs 2017 Microsoft Windows, macOS, iPad, Android, iPhone (current) CCG Expansion pack
World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth On or before September 21, 2018 Microsoft Windows, macOS Expansion pack
Untitled Warcraft mobile game[23] TBA Mobile platforms MMORTS[24]
World of Warcraft eighth expansion[25] TBA Microsoft Windows, macOS Expansion pack
StarCraft franchise StarCraft March 31, 1998 Windows, Mac OS Real-time strategy
StarCraft: Insurrection July 31, 1998 Windows, Mac OS Expansion pack Blizzard did not make this expansion,
but it was authorized. This one does not require the
official Brood War expansion pack.
StarCraft: Brood War November 30, 1998 Windows, Mac OS Expansion pack
StarCraft: Retribution 1998 Windows, Mac OS Expansion pack Blizzard did not make this expansion,
but it was authorized. Requires Brood War expansion pack.
StarCraft 64 2000 Nintendo 64 Real-time strategy
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty July 27, 2010 Microsoft Windows, OS X Real-time strategy
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm March 12, 2013 Microsoft Windows, OS X Expansion pack
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void November 10, 2015 Microsoft Windows, OS X Real-time strategy
StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops March 29, 2016 Microsoft Windows, OS X Mission packs (1-3)
StarCraft: Remastered August 14, 2017 Microsoft Windows, macOS Real-time strategy
Diablo franchise Diablo December 31, 1996 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation (1998) Action role-playing, hack and slash, dark fantasy
Diablo: Hellfire November 24, 1997 Microsoft Windows Expansion pack Blizzard did not make this expansion,
but it was authorized.
Diablo II June 29, 2000 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X Action role-playing, hack and slash
Diablo II: Lord of Destruction June 27, 2001 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, Mac OS X Expansion pack
Diablo III May 15, 2012 Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlaySation 3/4 and Xbox 360/One (2013) Action role-playing, hack and slash
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls March 25, 2014 Microsoft Windows, OS X Expansion pack
Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition August 19, 2014 PlaySation 3/4, Xbox 360/One
Untitled Diablo game TBA[26]

Applications

Title Release date Platform(s) Notes
Blizzard Downloader Windows, Mac OS Replaced/No longer used
Blizzard Launcher November 15, 2005 Windows, Mac OS Introduced with patch 1.8.3, replaced and no longer used since 6.0.2
Blizzard Repair Windows, Mac OS Replaced with the desktop app
Blizzard Updater Windows, Mac OS Replaced/No longer used
Blizzard Mobile Authenticator March 27, 2009 iOS, Android Originally named Battle.net Mobile Authenticator; supported Windows and Blackberry before being scrapped
WoW Mobile Armory July 2009 iOS, Android
Blizzard Battle.net desktop app August 2013 Windows, OS X Originally named Battle.net desktop app and Blizzard desktop app
WoW Legion Companion App September 6, 2016 iOS, Android
Blizzard Battle.net Mobile app September 26, 2017 iOS, Android

Other

Related pen-and-paper RPG materials
Related to StarCraft
  • Arcade Workshop (Published: 2014)

Rumored games

Note: Blizzard has confirmed that they are NOT working on a StarCraft or Diablo MMORPG.[27]

Unreleased/Canceled games

Awards

These are the following awards received for Blizzard Entertainment and Warcraft related.[46] For other game awards, Diablo and StarCraft.

BlizzCon 2017

World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor

  • Editor's Choice - IGN
  • People's Choice: Best Game Expansion/Add On - IGN

Hearthstone

  • Mobile & Handheld in 2015 - BAFTA
  • Multiplayer in 2015 - BAFTA
  • Top 10 Video Games of 2014 - Time
  • Best Video Games of 2014 - Forbes
  • Best Games of 2014 - Wired
  • 10 Great Games for Your Smartphone or Tablet - USA Today
  • Top 10 Must-Play Games of 2014 - Mashable
  • The Best Mobile Games of 2014 - Mashable
  • Top 50 Video Games of 2014 - NY Daily News
  • The 10 Best Apps for Your new iPad - Yahoo
  • Game of the Year #6: Hearthstone - Polygon
  • Best Mobile Game Winner - IGN
  • Game Informer Best of 2014 Awards - Game Informer
  • Eli’s Top Ten Games of 2014 - Touch Arcade
  • Staff Picks: The Best Games of 2014 - GamesBeat
  • The 12 Best Video Games of 2014 - Kotaku
  • The VG247 Games of the Year - VG 24/7
  • Five Favorites from the Video Games Channel - The Escapist
  • GT Best of 2014 Awards - Game Trailers
  • 2014 GOTY #8: Hearthstone - ShackNews
  • Best Online Game - 32nd Golden Joystick Awards
  • Best Mobile Game - 32nd Golden Joystick Awards
  • People's Choice - Best Mobile Game 2014 - IGN
  • People's Choice - Best Tactics/Strategy Game of 2014 - IGN
  • IGN Official Best Tactics/Strategy Game - IGN
  • Best Digital Card Game of 2013 – Forbes
  • Best Strategy Game of 2013 – ZAM
  • 2013 New Game of the Year – ZAM

World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria

  • Top 50 of 2012 - Game Informer
  • Readers' Top 50 Games of 2012 - Eurogamer
  • Best MMOs of 2012 - GamesBeat
  • Best Additional Content - Machinima.com Inside Gaming Awards 2012
  • Editors' Choice - GameTrailers
  • 5 out of 5 - Escapist
  • 4.5 out of 5 - G4
  • 8.7 out of 10 - IGN
  • "WoW's best expansion to date" (unstarred review) - USA Today
  • "Best expansion for World of Warcraft yet" (unstarred review) - PC World

World of Warcraft: Cataclysm

  • MMO Game of the Year - GameSpy
  • Best MMO (PC) - IGN
  • Best MMORPG - 1UP
  • Best MMO of the Year - G4TV
  • Readers' Choice: Best Fantasy Game (PC) - IGN
  • Best Expansion/DLC - Game Banshee
  • Best Multiplayer - RPGamer
  • 2010 Gaming Awards - Maximum PC
  • Best Expansion - GameTrailers

World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King

  • Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year - 12th Annual Interactive Achievement Awards
  • Best Expansion Pack - GameSpot
  • Top 10 Games of the Year 2008, PC and Overall - GameSpy.com
  • Best of 2008 - Top 5 PC Games - Wired
  • Best Games of 2008 - Metacritic
  • Top 50 Games of the Year - Eurogamer
  • Top 50 Games of the Year - Game Informer
  • Favorite Expansion of 2008 - Massively
  • Best MMORPG - VGChartz
  • Best Expansion of 2008 - GameStooge.com
  • Editors' Choice - Gamespot
  • Editors' Choice - GameSpy.com
  • Editors' Choice - IGN
  • Editors' Choice - PC Gamer

World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade

  • Development of Massively Multiplayer Online Graphical Role Playing Games - 59th Engineering and Scientific Emmy Awards
  • Massively Multiplayer Game of the Year - Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences Interactive Achievement
  • Design Award: Best Mac OS X Game - Apple
  • Visual Effects Society Award - Pre-rendered Visuals in a Video Game
  • Expansion Pack of the Year - GameSpot
  • Expansion Pack of the Year - GameZone
  • Game Informer's Top 50 of 2007
  • Top 50 Games of 2007 and Readers' Top 50 Games of 2007 - Eurogamer
  • #5 overall on PC, #7 across all platforms, and Gamers' Choice PC RPG of the Year - GameSpy
  • Editors' Choice - Gamespot
  • Editors' Choice - IGN
  • Editors' Choice - MacWorld
  • Editors' Choice - GameSpy
  • PC Game of the Month - Game Informer
  • IGN Readers' Choice Award - Best Expansion - IGN

World of Warcraft

  • Best Game of the Year Award - GameSpot
  • Best PC Game of the Year - GameSpot
  • Best Massively Multiplayer Online Game - GameSpot
  • Editor's Choice Award - GameSpot
  • Best Role-Playing (RPG or MMORPG) - GameSpy
  • PC RPG / MMORPG Gamers' Choice Awards - GameSpy
  • Special Achievement in Art Direction - GameSpy
  • Editor's Choice Award - GameSpy
  • Best Persistent World Game - IGN
  • Editor's Choice Award - IGN
  • Best PC RPG - FileFront
  • Best Massively Multiplayer Game - VoodooExtreme
  • Best of Show (E3 2003) - Wargamer
  • Best Persistent Online Title (E3 2003) - IGN PC
  • Runner up for Best Graphics (E3 2003) - IGN Vault

Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne

  • Best Expansion Pack - Gamespot
  • Best Multiplayer Game - Gamespot
  • Best PC Strategy Game (Readers' Choice) - GameSpot
  • Game of the Month - IGN PC
  • Editor's Choice (90 out of 100 rating) - Games Xtreme
  • Editor's Choice (9 out of 10 rating) - Strategy Gaming Online
  • PC Strategy Gamers' Choice - GameSpy
  • 94 out of 100 rating - Next Level Gaming
  • 94 out of 100 rating - Gamer Play Networks
  • 94 out of 100 rating - Game Marshal
  • 94 out of 100 rating - GameAxis
  • 92 out of 100 rating - The Gamer's Temple
  • 91 out of 100 rating - Action Trip
  • 90 out of 100 rating - Gameguru Mania
  • 88 out of 100 rating - GameSpy
  • 10 out of 10 rating - Game Chronicles Magazine
  • 9.4 out of 10 rating - GameZone
  • 9.2 out of 10 rating - GameSpot
  • 9 out of 10 rating - IGN PC
  • 8.9 out of 10 rating - Worthplaying
  • 8.8 out of 10 rating - Gamer's Hell
  • 5 out of 5 rating - GamePro
  • A- rating - UGO

Warcraft III

  • Computer Strategy Game of the Year - Academy of Interactive Arts and Sciences
  • Game of the Year - Gamespot
  • Game of the Year - Macworld
  • Game of the Year - XSages
  • Game of the Year - Fragland
  • Game of the Year - Cinescape
  • Game of the Year - Gaming Illustrated
  • Best PC Game of the Year - GameNOW
  • Best Real-Time Strategy Game of the Year - PC Gamer
  • Best Multiplayer Strategy Game of the Year - Gamespot
  • Best PC Strategy Game of the Year - GameNOW
  • Best PC Strategy Game of the Year - Game Revolution
  • Best PC Strategy Game of the Year - Telefragged
  • Best PC Strategy Game of the Year - OCAddiction
  • Best PC Strategy Game of the Year (Reader's Choice) - GameSpot
  • Readers Choice 2002: Best PC Game of the Year - GamePro
  • Strategy Game of the Year - Gamer's Pulse
  • Gamer's Choice: Overall PC Game of the Year - Gamespy
  • Gamer's Choice: PC Strategy Game of the Year - Gamespy
  • Best Non-Interactive 3D Game Cinematics - International 3D Awards
  • Best Cinematic - IGN
  • Best CG Cinematics (tie) - Gamespy's Best of E3 2002 Awards
  • Best Opening Movie - Game Chronicles
  • Editor's Choice (10 out of 10 rating) - Game Chronicles
  • Editor's Choice (9.6 out of 10 rating) - Gaming Illustrated
  • Editor's Choice (9.5 out of 10 rating) - SLCCentral
  • Editor's Choice (9.5 out of 10 rating) - The Entertainment Depot
  • Editor's Choice (95 out of 100 rating) - Action Trip
  • Editor's Choice (94 out of 100 rating) - PC Gamer
  • Editor's Choice (93 out of 100 rating) - Gaming Excellence
  • Editor's Choice (93 out of 100 rating) - Invisible Dream
  • Editor's Choice (9.3 out of 10 rating) - IGN
  • Editor's Choice (92 out of 100 rating) - Gamitopia
  • Editor's Choice (9.1 out of 10 rating) - Firing Squad
  • Editor's Choice (8.7 out of 10 rating) - Strategy Gaming Online
  • 5 out of 5 rating - Games First
  • 5 out of 5 rating (Award for Excellence) - Wargamer
  • 5 out of 5 rating (Seal of Excellence) - The Adrenaline Vault
  • 6 out of 6 rating (Drool Award) - Gamers Depot.com
  • 9.7 out of 10 rating (Outstanding Game Award) - GameZone.com
  • 97 out of 100 rating - Wired Play
  • 96 out of 100 rating (Award of Excellence) - The Gamers Temple
  • 95 out of 100 rating (GG Platinum Award) - Gone Gold
  • 93 out of 100 rating - Game Rankings
  • 9.3 out of 10 rating - Geek Haven
  • 9.3 out of 10 rating (Game of the Month July 2002) - GameSpot
  • 92 out of 100 rating (AOG Approved) - All Out Games
  • 9 out of 10 rating (Mindless Choice Award) - Mindless Games
  • 90 out of 100 rating (Gamers' Choice Award) - Game Over
  • 8.9 out of 10 rating (Silver Hell Award) - Gamer's Hell
  • 4 out of 5 rating (Top Game) - Games Domain
  • Best Animation 2003 - Digital Media World
  • Best Cut Scenes 2002 - XSages
  • Best Cinematic/Cut-Scene Audio - Music4Games.net

Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal

  • 1997 Game add-on of the year - Computer Gaming World
  • 1996 Best Enhancement of an Existing game - Computer Gaming World

Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness

  • Hall of Fame Inductee - Computer Gaming World
  • Game of the Year - PC Gamer
  • Game of the Year finalist - Computer Games Strategy Plus
  • Best Multiplayer Game of the Year - PC Gamer
  • Best On-line Game - c|net Award of Internet Excellence
  • Best Strategy Game - MacWorld Macintosh Hall of Fame 1997
  • Best New Game - MacUser Editors' Choice Awards
  • Best Internet Game - Video Game Advisor
  • Europe Software of Excellence Award - Ziff-Davis UK
  • 1996 Innovations Award - Consumer Electronics Show, Winter 1996
  • 1996 Eddy Award: Best Game - MacUser
  • 1996 "Best of After Hours" - PC Magazine
  • Real-Time Strategy Game of the Year runner-up - Computer Games Strategy Plus
  • Game of the Year finalist - Computer Games Strategy Plus
  • Number-one selling entertainment CD-ROM of 1996 - PC Data
  • Strategy Hall of Fame award - MacWorld magazine
  • #2 Reader's Top 50 - PC Gamer
  • Editors' Choice Award - PC Gamer
  • CG Choice Award - Computer Gaming World
  • Golden Triad Award - Computer Game Review
  • 96-percent rating - PC Gamer
  • 93-percent rating - Computer Game Review
  • 4.5 out of 5 rating - Computer Gaming World

Warcraft: Orcs & Humans

  • 1995 Premier finalist - Computer Gaming World
  • Editors' Choice Award - PC Gamer
  • Strategy Game of the Year runner-up - PC Gamer
  • Critics' Pick - Computer Life
  • 1995 Best Strategy finalist - Academy of Interactive Arts & Sciences
  • 1995 Innovations Award - Consumer Electronics Show, Winter 1995
  • Four out of five rating - Computer Gaming World
  • 92-percent rating - PC Gamer
  • Four out of five rating - Computer Life

Blizzard Entertainment

Developer Awards
  • Time Lists All-Time 100 Video Games - Time
  • 100 Best Companies to Work For 2015 - Fortune
  • Top 10 Innovative Companies in Gaming 2015 – Fast Company
  • Top Places to Work 2011 - Orange County Register
  • Spike TV Video Game Awards 2011 - "Gamer God" - "Additional honors included the second ever Gamer God Award, which was bestowed upon Blizzard Entertainment, the creators of the "World of Warcraft," "Starcraft" and "Diablo" series. Original founders Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce were all on hand to accept the prestigious award."
  • Top Places To Work 2010 - Orange County Register
  • Top Places to Work 2009 - County Register
  • OC's Best Places to Work 2009 - Orange County Business Journal
  • Company of the Year 2009 - Technology Council
  • Top Places to Work 2008 - Orange County Register
  • OC Metro's Top Places to Work For 2008
  • German Award for Computergames
  • Best Multimedia Company of 1999 - SC Software Publishers Association
  • Best Software Developer of 1993 - VideoGames Magazine
  • Developer's Spotlight Award - Computer Game Developer's Association
  • Best Director of Animation: StarCraft - 1997 World Animation Celebration
  • Award of Merit: Lifetime Achievement for Mike Morhaime, Allen Adham, and Frank Pearce - IGN

Employees

Notable

Organizations

Previous employees

Company's ownership

The company's ownership has shifted many times over the years, through mergers, name changes or acquisitions:[11]

Trivia

According to Hearthstone's Senior Producer Yong Woo, Blizzard employees receive some of their bonus money in "Blizzard bucks", which can be spent on company products such as card packs.[49]

References

 
  1. ^ http://www.activisionblizzard.com/pressReleases/pr120207.php
  2. ^ Rob Purchese 2008-06-30. Eurogamer: Blizzard Worldwide Invertational. Retrieved on 2008-01-07.
  3. ^ Elsa Keslassy 2013-07-26. Vivendi Sells Majority Stake in Activision Blizzard for $8.2 Billion. Retrieved on 2014-05-07.
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Phillip Kolar. The Three Lives of Blizzard Entertainment. Polygon. Retrieved on 2014-10-04.
  5. ^ Mission Statement. Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved on 2009-11-16.
  6. ^ a b http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/
  7. ^ a b http://web.archive.org/web/19991012192528/http://blizzard.com:80/info.shtml
  8. ^ M. Abraham 2006-11-06. UCLA Engineering Celebrates Accomplishments at Annual Awards Dinner. UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science. Archived from the original on 2011-07-16. Retrieved on 2018-03-04.
  9. ^ Carless, Simon 2009-09-15. GDC Austin: How Fantastic Contraption Became A Fantastic Hit. Gamasutra. Retrieved on 2018-03-04.
  10. ^ Trey Walker 2002-02-09. GameSpot Interview with Brian Fargo. Gamespot. Retrieved on 2018-03-04.
  11. ^ a b c d e f http://www.mobygames.com/company/blizzard-entertainment-inc
  12. ^ Blizzard Timeline. Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved on 2012-07-05.
  13. ^ Blizzard Entertainment 2016-02-08. Blizzard 25th Anniversary Celebration. YouTube. Retrieved on 2017-11-06.
  14. ^ Blizzard 25th Anniversary and Siablo® 20th Anniversary Party at BlizzCon® 2016. Blizzard Entertainment (2016-11-06). Retrieved on 2017-11-06.
  15. ^ Blizzard North: Condor and Diablo. Blizzard Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2002-02-22. Retrieved on 2017-11-21.
  16. ^ 2017-08-04, Blizzard Has Multiple New IPs Incubating But Won't Rush Them Out. GameSpot, retrieved on 2017-08-05
  17. ^ 2015-11-04, Blizzard Looking to Revive These Classic Games. GameSpot, retrieved on 2017-04-01
  18. ^ Ordinn 2007-12-02. 0. Activision Blizzard FAQ. WoW General Discussion Forum. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
  19. ^ Activision Blizzard FAQ.
  20. ^ Worldwide Invitation 2008.
  21. ^ a b c Kyle Hilliard 2013-11-10. Blizzard Working On Bringing Warcraft & Warcraft II To Modern PCs. Gameinformer. Retrieved on 2014-01-03.
  22. ^ a b c BlizzCon 2013 World of Warcraft Q&A Panel
  23. ^ 2017-06-16, Blizzard’s Unannounced Warcraft Mobile Game. Blizzplanet, retrieved on 2017-06-19
  24. ^ 2017-09-27, Breaking: Blizzard Unannounced Game is a MMO RTS Mobile Game. Blizzplanet, retrieved on 2017-10-06
  25. ^ WoW's Next Expansions Already Planned. GameSpot (2015-08-07). Retrieved on 2015-08-09.
  26. ^ ART DIRECTOR, UNANNOUNCED PROJECT, Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved on 2015-08-06
  27. ^ Blizzard freezes non-WOW MMOG rumors. GameSpot (2006-06-14). Retrieved on 2013-11-13.
  28. ^ Travis Day guaranteed players that the Diablo 4 will Certainly Come. MMORPG Champion (2013-05-21). Retrieved on 2014-04-12.
  29. ^ a b 2015-08-12, GAMESCOM 2015: BLIZZARD WILL 'CONSIDER WARCRAFT' RTS ONCE STARCRAFT 2 IS DONE. IGN, retrieved on 2015-08-12
  30. ^ November, 2016, Blizzard Working on New First Person Game. Gamerant, retrieved on 2016-12-01
  31. ^ Warcraft IV Confirmed, Starcraft II to be split into a Trilogy. NG4 (2008-04-19). Retrieved on 2013-05-29.
  32. ^ Warcraft IV somewhat confirmed at BlizzCon. SK Gaming (2011-10-11). Retrieved on 2013-05-29.
  33. ^ Eddie Makuch 2014-08-15. Blizzard Has Considered WoW 2 -- What Would You Like to See?. Gamespot.
  34. ^ A brief history of Blizzard's canceled and unreleased games. Polygon (2014-09-23). Retrieved on 2014-09-24.
  35. ^ 2017-05-11, BlizzCon 2017: How Overwatch rose from Titan’s failure. Blizzard Watch, accessed on 2017-11-05
  36. ^ a b c D.I.C.E. '08: Blizzard talks about blowing up. GameSpot (2008-02-07). Retrieved on 2013-05-29.
  37. ^ Blizzard North considered making Diablo Junior for the Game Boy Color. Joystiq (2012-10-12). Retrieved on 2013-05-29.
  38. ^ a b Blizzard Entertainment Inc.. Moby Games. Retrieved on 2013-05-28.
  39. ^ Pax Imperia II. JudgeHype. Retrieved on 2013-05-28.
  40. ^ The Art of Blizzard Entertainment (book) review…. Inside the Box (2013-02-04). Retrieved on 2013-05-28.
  41. ^ Diablo in space? Blizzard actually worked on "Starblo". Neowin.net (2012-10-23). Retrieved on 2013-05-29.
  42. ^ 'StarCraft: Ghost' (PS2/Xbox) Cancelled But Goes Next-Gen. Worthplaying (2006-03-24). Retrieved on 2013-11-13.
  43. ^ Ross Miller 2014-09-23. Blizzard cancels its 'World of Warcraft' successor. The Verge.
  44. ^ 2016-01-09, Marvel Heroes 2015 (January 8 2016). YouTube, retrieved on 2016-01-11
  45. ^ 2015-07-31, THE UNSOLVED MYSTERY OF MIKE BOOTH. Blizzpro, retrieved on 2015-08-01
  46. ^ Awards - Blizzard Entertainment. Blizzard Entertainment.
  47. ^ Blizzard Entertainment staff, Greg Canessa 2010-02-09. Battle.net Preview. Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved on 2010-02-09.
  48. ^ Blizzcon Video Archive (Sonkie vs Yellow). Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved on 2008-10-19.
  49. ^ Yong Woo, live on stream (2014-12-13).

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