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|bodystyle = width: 23em;
  
|bodystyle = width: 23em;
 
|above = Blizzard Entertainment
  
|above = Blizzard Entertainment
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|image = [[File:Blizzard Entertainment logo.png|250px]]
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|image = [[File:Blizzard Entertainment 2015 logo.svg|250px]]
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|caption = 2017 logo<br />''Video game developer and publisher''
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|caption = 2015 logo<br>''Video game developer and publisher''
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|label1 = Formerly called
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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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|label2 = Type
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|label2 = Type
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|data2 = Subsidiary
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|data2 = Subsidiary
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|label3 = Industry
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|label3 = Industry
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|data3 = Video game industry
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|data3 = Video game industry
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|label4 = Founded
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|label4 = Founded
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|data4 = February 8, 1991
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|data4 = February 8, 1991
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|label5 = Founders
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|label5 = Founders
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|data5 = [[Allen Adham]]<br />[[Michael Morhaime]]<br />[[Frank Pearce]]
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|data5 = [[Allen Adham]]<br>[[Michael Morhaime]]<br>[[Frank Pearce]]
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|label6 = Headquarters
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|label6 = President
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|data6 = [[J. Allen Brack]]<br>(formerly [[Mike Morhaime]])
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|data6 = {{wplink|Irvine}}, {{wplink|California}}, {{wplink|United States|U.S.}}
  
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|label7 = Number of locations
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|label7 = Headquarters
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|data7 = {{wp|Irvine}}, {{wp|California}}, {{wp|United States|U.S.}}
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|data7 = 9 (studios and offices)
  
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|label8 = Key people
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|label8 = Number of locations
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|data8 = 9 (studios and offices)
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|data8 = Michael Morhaime <small>(President and CEO)</small><br />Allen Adham <small>(Senior Vice President and Former President)</small>
  
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|label9 = Products
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|label9 = Products
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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
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|data9 = ''[[Diablo franchise|Diablo]]'' franchise<br>''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]''<br>''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''<br>''[[Overwatch franchise|Overwatch]]'' franchise<br>''[[StarCraft franchise|StarCraft]]'' franchise<br>''[[Warcraft universe|Warcraft]]'' franchise
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|label10 = Parent
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|label10 = Parent
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|data10 = [[Activision Blizzard]]
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|data10 = {{wp|Davidson & Associates}}<br>(1994-1998)<br>{{wp|Vivendi Games}}<br>(1998-2008)<br>[[Activision Blizzard]]<br>(2008-present)
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|label11 = Website
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|label11 = Website
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|data11 = [https://www.blizzard.com blizzard.com]
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|data11 = [https://www.blizzard.com blizzard.com]
 
}}
  
}}
 
[[File:Blizzard'sFancyOrcOnWolfStatue.jpg|thumb|A statue of an [[Orc Statue|orc riding a wolf]], located outside Blizzard's office.]]
  
[[File:Blizzard'sFancyOrcOnWolfStatue.jpg|thumb|A statue of an [[Orc Statue|orc riding a wolf]], located outside Blizzard's office.]]
   
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'''Blizzard Entertainment'''® (often shortened to "'''Blizzard'''" or "'''Blizz'''" by players) is a video game developer & publisher that is responsible for the ''[[Warcraft franchise|Warcraft]]'', ''[[StarCraft franchise|StarCraft]]'', ''[[Diablo franchise|Diablo]]'', and ''[[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''.
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'''Blizzard Entertainment'''® (often shortened to "'''Blizzard'''" or "'''Blizz'''") is a video game developer & publisher that is responsible for the ''[[Warcraft franchise|Warcraft]]'', ''[[StarCraft franchise|StarCraft]]'', ''[[Diablo franchise|Diablo]]'', and ''[[Overwatch franchise|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]].<ref>http://www.activisionblizzard.com/pressReleases/pr120207.php</ref><ref name="Eurogamer">{{ref web|date=2008-06-30|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=163814|title=Eurogamer: Blizzard Worldwide Invertational|author=Rob Purchese|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref> Five years later, in July 2013, Vivendi sold off most of its shares in Activision Blizzard, which now exists as an independent company.<ref>{{ref web|date=2013-07-26|url=http://variety.com/2013/biz/global/vivendi-sells-majority-stakes-in-activision-blizzard-for-8-2-billion-1200568494/|title=Vivendi Sells Majority Stake in Activision Blizzard for $8.2 Billion|author=Elsa Keslassy|accessdate=2014-05-07}}</ref> As of October 2014, the company employs over 3,900 individuals.<ref name = "BlizzardLives">{{ref web|url = http://www.polygon.com/features/2014/10/3/6901193/blizzard-entertainment-three-lives|title=The Three Lives of Blizzard Entertainment|accessdate=2014-10-04|author=Phillip Kolar|publisher=Polygon}}</ref>
  
In July 2008, Blizzard's parent company, Vivendi, merged their Vivendi Games subsidiary with Activision to create a new holding company called [[Activision Blizzard]].<ref>http://www.activisionblizzard.com/pressReleases/pr120207.php</ref><ref name="Eurogamer">{{ref web|date=2008-06-30|url=http://www.eurogamer.net/article.php?article_id=163814|title=Eurogamer: Blizzard Worldwide Invertational|author=Rob Purchese|accessdate=2008-01-07}}</ref> Five years later, in July 2013, Vivendi sold off most of its shares in Activision Blizzard, which now exists as an independent company.<ref>{{ref web|date=2013-07-26|url=http://variety.com/2013/biz/global/vivendi-sells-majority-stakes-in-activision-blizzard-for-8-2-billion-1200568494/|title=Vivendi Sells Majority Stake in Activision Blizzard for $8.2 Billion|author=Elsa Keslassy|accessdate=2014-05-07}}</ref> As of October 2014, the company employs over 3,900 individuals.<ref name = "BlizzardLives">{{ref web|url = http://www.polygon.com/features/2014/10/3/6901193/blizzard-entertainment-three-lives|title=The Three Lives of Blizzard Entertainment|accessdate=2014-10-04|author=Phillip Kolar|publisher=Polygon}}</ref>
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==Core values==
  
==Core values==
 
Blizzard Entertainment lists its eight core values on their mission statement page:
  
Blizzard Entertainment lists its eight core values on their mission statement page:
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# Gameplay first
  
# Gameplay first
 
# Commit to quality
  
# Commit to quality
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[[File:Silicon and Synapse logo.png|thumb|Silicon & Synapse logo]]
  
[[File:Silicon and Synapse logo.png|thumb|Silicon & Synapse logo]]
 
Originally under the name ''Silicon & Synapse'', the company was founded on February 8, 1991<ref name="DidYouKnow">http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/</ref><ref name=OriginalInfo>http://web.archive.org/web/19991012192528/http://blizzard.com:80/info.shtml</ref> by three graduates of the {{wplink|University of California, Los Angeles}}:<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.engineer.ucla.edu/newsroom/featured-news/archive/2006/november/ucla-engineering-celebrates-accomplishments-at-annual-awards-dinner|title=UCLA Engineering Celebrates Accomplishments at Annual Awards Dinner|publisher=UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science|author=M. Abraham|date=2006-11-06|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716201249/http://www.engineer.ucla.edu/newsroom/featured-news/archive/2006/november/ucla-engineering-celebrates-accomplishments-at-annual-awards-dinner|archivedate=2011-07-16|accessdate=2018-03-04}}</ref> [[Allen Adham]] and [[Michael Morhaime]]. {{wplink|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.<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25264|title=GDC Austin: How Fantastic Contraption Became A Fantastic Hit|publisher=Gamasutra|author=Carless, Simon|date=2009-09-15|accessdate=2018-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2848761.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B2|title=GameSpot Interview with Brian Fargo|publisher=Gamespot|author=Trey Walker|date=2002-02-9|accessdate=2018-03-04}}</ref> [[Frank Pearce]] also joined the studio upon inception as the first employee.<ref name="Moby">http://www.mobygames.com/company/blizzard-entertainment-inc</ref>
  
Originally under the name ''Silicon & Synapse'', the company was founded on February 8, 1991<ref name="DidYouKnow">http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/</ref><ref name=OriginalInfo>http://web.archive.org/web/19991012192528/http://blizzard.com:80/info.shtml</ref> by three graduates of the {{wplink|University of California, Los Angeles}}:<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.engineer.ucla.edu/newsroom/featured-news/archive/2006/november/ucla-engineering-celebrates-accomplishments-at-annual-awards-dinner|title=UCLA Engineering Celebrates Accomplishments at Annual Awards Dinner|publisher=UCLA Henry Samueli School of Engineering and Applied Science|author=M. Abraham|date=2006-11-06|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20110716201249/http://www.engineer.ucla.edu/newsroom/featured-news/archive/2006/november/ucla-engineering-celebrates-accomplishments-at-annual-awards-dinner|archivedate=2011-07-16|accessdate=2018-03-04}}</ref> [[Allen Adham]] and [[Michael Morhaime]]. {{wplink|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.<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.gamasutra.com/php-bin/news_index.php?story=25264|title=GDC Austin: How Fantastic Contraption Became A Fantastic Hit|publisher=Gamasutra|author=Carless, Simon|date=2009-09-15|accessdate=2018-03-04}}</ref><ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/news/2848761.html?tag=result%3Btitle%3B2|title=GameSpot Interview with Brian Fargo|publisher=Gamespot|author=Trey Walker|date=2002-02-9|accessdate=2018-03-04}}</ref> [[Frank Pearce]] also joined the studio upon inception as the first employee.<ref name="Moby">http://www.mobygames.com/company/blizzard-entertainment-inc</ref>
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[[File:Chaos Studios.jpg|thumb|Chaos Studios logo]]
  
[[File:Chaos Studios.jpg|thumb|Chaos Studios logo]]
 
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.<ref name="Moby" />
  
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.<ref name="Moby" />
   
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It was not until ''Interplay Entertainment'' and ''Silicon & Synapse'' collaborated on the SNES side-scroller ''The Lost Vikings'' that it's 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.<ref name="Moby" />
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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.<ref name="Moby" />
   
 
In August 1995, the company moved from a 3,600 sq. ft. office in Costa Mesa to a 14,000 sq. ft. office in Irvine, CA.<ref name="DidYouKnow" />
  
In August 1995, the company moved from a 3,600 sq. ft. office in Costa Mesa to a 14,000 sq. ft. office in Irvine, CA.<ref name="DidYouKnow" />
   
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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''.<ref name="Moby" />
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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''.<ref name="Moby" />
   
 
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''.<ref name="Moby" />
  
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''.<ref name="Moby" />
   
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Blizzard turned 20 years old in 2012. The history is recorded on a timeline on its own site [http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/b20/timeline.html here].<ref>{{ref web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/b20/timeline.html|title=Blizzard Timeline|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref> 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]].<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeA6rT5LaEQ|title=Blizzard 25th Anniversary Celebration|publisher=YouTube|author=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=2016-02-08|accessdate=2017-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phUgzmvBZ3I|title=Celebrate 25 Years with Blizzard Entertainment|publisher=YouTube|author=Blizzard Entertainment|date=2016-11-04|accessdate=2018-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{Ref web|url=https://blizzcon.com/en-us/news/20318432/blizzard-25th-anniversary-and-diablo-20th-anniversary-party-at-blizzcon-2016|title=Blizzard 25th Anniversary and Siablo® 20th Anniversary Party at BlizzCon® 2016|publisher=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=2016-11-06|accessdate=2017-11-06}}</ref>
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Blizzard turned 20 years old in 2012. The history is recorded on a timeline on its own site [http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/b20/timeline.html here].<ref>{{ref web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/b20/timeline.html|title=Blizzard Timeline|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|accessdate=2012-07-05}}</ref> On February 8, 2016, Blizzard celebrated their 25th year anniversary with a video and continued to celebrate it along with the ''[[Diablo]]'' 20th anniversary at [[BlizzCon 2016]].<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yeA6rT5LaEQ|title=Blizzard 25th Anniversary Celebration|publisher=YouTube|author=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=2016-02-08|accessdate=2017-11-06}}</ref><ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=phUgzmvBZ3I|title=Celebrate 25 Years with Blizzard Entertainment|publisher=YouTube|author=Blizzard Entertainment|date=2016-11-04|accessdate=2018-05-30}}</ref><ref>{{Ref web|url=https://blizzcon.com/en-us/news/20318432/blizzard-25th-anniversary-and-diablo-20th-anniversary-party-at-blizzcon-2016|title=Blizzard 25th Anniversary and Siablo® 20th Anniversary Party at BlizzCon® 2016|publisher=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|date=2016-11-06|accessdate=2017-11-06}}</ref>
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On October 3, 2018, [[Activision Blizzard]] announced [[J. Allen Brack]] as the new president of Blizzard Entertainment succeeding [[Mike Morhaime]].<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20181003005928/en/Activision-Blizzard-Names-World-Warcraft%C2%AE-Executive-Producer|title=Activision Blizzard Names ''World of Warcraft''® Executive Producer J. Allen Brack As New President of Blizzard Entertainment|publisher=Business Wire|date=2018-10-03}}</ref> In February 2019, Blizzard underwent a round of layoffs, though announced that it would be expanding its development staff. Teams for some of its IPs, including ''[[Warcraft]]'' and ''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]'', will be expanded.<ref>{{ref web |url=https://blizzardwatch.com/2019/02/12/activision-blizzard-record-profits-cutting-8-staff/ |title=Activision Blizzard has record profits, so it’s cutting 8% of its staff |date=2019-02-12 |author=Elizabeth Harper |accessdate=2019-03-13}}</ref>
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On March 7, 2019, Blizzard and {{wp|GOG.com}} partnered to release the classic ''[[Diablo]]'' on GOG.com's platform<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://us.diablo3.com/en/blog/22887361/diablo-now-available-on-gogcom-3-7-2019|title=Diablo Now Available on GOG.COM|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|date=2019-03-07|accessdate=2019-06-05}}</ref> as well as ''[[Warcraft: Orcs & Humans]]'' and ''[[Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition]]'' by March 28.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://worldofwarcraft.com/en-us/news/22940764/warcraft-orcs-humans-and-warcraft-ii-battle-net-edition-now-available-on-gog-com|title=Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II Battle.net Edition Now Available on GOG.COM|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|date=2019-03-28|accessdate=2019-06-05}}</ref> On June 5, 2019, Blizzard gave the OK to GOG.com to add the authorized non-canoncial expansion {{diablo|Diablo: Hellfire|Hellfire}} which was developed by {{wp|Synergistic Software}} to ''Diablo'' as a free add-on, due to popular demand.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.gog.com/news/release_bhellfire_expansion_to_the_original_diablob|title=Release: Hellfire expansion to the original Diablo|publisher=GOG.com|date=2019-06-05|accessdate=2019-06-05}}</ref>
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On January 22, 2021, {{wp|Vicarious Visions}} is now a subsidiary of Blizzard Entertainment, from {{wp|Activision}}.<ref name="VicariousVisionsRef1">{{Ref web|url=https://www.eurogamer.net/articles/2021-01-23-vicarious-visions-reportedly-working-on-a-diablo-2-remake-at-blizzard|title=Vicarious Visions reportedly working on a Diablo 2 remake at Blizzard|author=Wesley Yin-Poole|publisher=Eurogamer|date=2021-01-23|accessdate=2021-01-25}}</ref><ref name="VicariousVisionsRef2">{{Ref web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-22-vicarious-visions-merged-into-blizzard|title=Vicarious Visions merged into Blizzard|publisher=GamesIndustry.biz|author=Brendan Sinclair|date=2021-01-22|accessdate=2021-01-25}}</ref> Blizzard turned 30 years old in 2021 and celebrated it at [[BlizzConline]] with the release of ''[[Blizzard Arcade Collection]]''.
   
 
===Blizzard North===
  
===Blizzard North===
 
:Main: {{Gamepedia|diablo|Blizzard_North|Blizzard North}}
  
:Main: {{Gamepedia|diablo|Blizzard_North|Blizzard North}}
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'''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.<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.blizzard.com:80/blizz-anniversary/blizznorth.shtml|title=Blizzard North: Condor and Diablo|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|accessdate=2017-11-21|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020222115131/http://www.blizzard.com:80/blizz-anniversary/blizznorth.shtml|archivedate=2002-02-22}}</ref> The company was purchased and renamed later in March of 1996<ref name=OriginalInfo/> 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.
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'''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.<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.blizzard.com:80/blizz-anniversary/blizznorth.shtml|title=Blizzard North: Condor and Diablo|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|accessdate=2017-11-21|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20020222115131/http://www.blizzard.com:80/blizz-anniversary/blizznorth.shtml|archivedate=2002-02-22}}</ref> The company was purchased and renamed later in March of 1996<ref name=OriginalInfo/> 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. There were also a couple of mentions of '''Blizzard South''', which was known for the ''[[StarCraft]]'' and the ''[[Warcraft]]'' series. However, the name wasn't mentioned as much but it was used to keep confusion from ''Blizzard North'' as Blizzard South is based in Irvine, California, Blizzard's main location.
   
 
;As Condor
  
;As Condor
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*''[[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
  
*''[[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
   
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===Blizzard South===
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===TeSPA partnership===
  +
{{Main|Blizzard Esports}}
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'''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.
  
  +
In 2013, Blizzard announced an official partnership with {{wp|Tespa|TeSPA}} to provide licensed ''[[StarCraft]]'', ''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]'' and ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]'' in-game rewards to college gaming clubs.<ref>{{ref web|title=TeSPA and Blizzard Entertainment Unveil the Membership Milestone Program|url=http://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20140207005166/en/TeSPA-Blizzard-Entertainment-Unveil-Membership-Milestone-Program|publisher=Bussiness Wire|date=2014-02-07|accessdate=2018-08-11}}</ref><ref>{{ref web|title=Blizzard and TeSPA Partner to Support College Gaming Groups|url=http://www.ign.com/articles/2014/02/06/blizzard-and-the-esports-association-partner-to-support-college-gaming-groups|publisher=IGN|author=Steve Watts|date=2014-02-06|accessdate=2018-08-11}}</ref><ref>{{ref web|title=Blizzard esports initiative will support your college gaming club|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-esports-initiative-will-support-your-college-gaming-club/1100-6417615/|publisher=Gamespot|author=Emanuel Maiberg|date=2014-02-08|accessdate=2018-08-11}}</ref> In early 2014, TeSPA and Blizzard Entertainment hosted the $5,000 ''North American Collegiate Hearthstone Open'' series, culminating in a live grand finals event at the {{Wp|Twitch.tv}} stage at PAX East and PAX Prime.<ref>{{ref web|title=North American Collegiate Hearthstone™ Open 2|url=http://us.battle.net/hearthstone/en/blog/14963900/north-american-collegiate-hearthstone%E2%84%A2-open-2-7-29-2014|publisher=[[Blizzard Entertainment]]|author={{Blizz|Zeriyah}}|date=2014-07-29|accessdate=2018-08-11}}</ref>
   
 
==Teams==
  
==Teams==
 
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.
  
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.<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/> As of August 2017, most of Blizzard's development focus is on supporting its existing IPs, but is working on new IPs as well.<ref>2017-08-04, [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-has-multiple-new-ips-incubating-but-wont-/1100-6452270/ Blizzard Has Multiple New IPs Incubating But Won't Rush Them Out]. ''GameSpot'', retrieved on 2017-08-05</ref>
 +
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.<ref name="BlizzardLives" /> As of August 2017, most of Blizzard's development focus is on supporting its existing IPs, but is working on new IPs as well.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-has-multiple-new-ips-incubating-but-wont-/1100-6452270/|title=Blizzard Has Multiple New IPs Incubating But Won't Rush Them Out|publisher=GameSpot|author=Eddie Makuch|date=2017-08-04|accessdate=2017-08-05}}</ref> As of November 2018, Blizzard's current development model is to effectively have one team per IP and support indefinitely. As a team grows and reaches a certain size, elements of the team will be spun off to work on a new IP. Each team consists of around 100&ndash;300 people.<ref name="AdhamInterview">{{Ref web|url=https://www.gameinformer.com/blizzcon2018/2018/11/08/our-full-blizzcon-interview-with-blizzard-co-founder-allen-adham|title=Our Full BlizzCon Interview With Blizzard Co-Founder Allen Adham|date=2018-11-08|publisher=Game Informer|author=Daniel Tack|accessdate=2018-11-19}}</ref>
   
  +
The list of teams of current and past include:
−
* [[Team 1]] - ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''
  
  +
−
** This team previously worked on titles including ''[[StarCraft]]'', ''[[Warcraft III]]'' and ''[[StarCraft II]]'', but now work on the company's newest franchise, ''Heroes of the Storm''.
  
−
* [[Team 2]] - ''[[World of Warcraft]]''
 +
*[[Team 1]]
  +
**This team previously worked on titles including ''[[StarCraft]]'', ''[[Warcraft III]]'', ''[[StarCraft II]]'', and ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''.
−
** Formed after the release of ''World of Warcraft'' to continue development of the game.<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/>
  
−
* [[Team 3]] - ''[[Diablo]]'' franchise<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/>
 +
*[[Team 2]] - ''[[World of Warcraft]]''
−
* [[Team 4]] - Formerly responsible for ''Titan''<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/>
 +
**Formed after the release of ''World of Warcraft'' to continue development of the game.<ref name="BlizzardLives" />
  +
**There is a separate team working on ''[[World of Warcraft: Classic]]''.<ref>[[BlizzCon 2017]] - World of Warcraft What's Next panel</ref>
−
** Formed in the "mid-2000s" to begin work on ''Titan'', the company's big new IP, doomed to be scrapped in 2014.<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/> The team's current focus is ''[[Overwatch]]''.
  
−
* [[Team 5]] - ''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]''<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/>
 +
*[[Team 3]] - ''[[Diablo]]'' franchise<ref name="BlizzardLives" />
  +
**''[[Diablo IV]]'' team
−
** 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.<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/>
  
  +
**''[[Diablo Immortal]]'' team
  +
**[[Diablo Legacy]]<ref name="diablolegacyteam">{{Ref web|url=https://www.reddit.com/r/Diablo/comments/j9zdsm/former_diablo_iii_cm_vaeflare_returns_to_the/g8narnv/|title=Former Diablo III CM Vaeflare returns to the Diablo Legacy team as a 3D artist|author={{Blizz|PezRadar}}|date=2020-10-12|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20201017223124/https://old.reddit.com/r/Diablo/comments/j9zdsm/former_diablo_iii_cm_vaeflare_returns_to_the/g8narnv/|archivedate=2020-10-17}}</ref> - ''[[Diablo III]]'' and ''Diablo II: Resurrected'' (''Diablo II'' remaster)
  +
*[[Team 4]] - ''[[Overwatch franchise|Overwatch]]''
  +
**Formed in the "mid-2000s" to begin work on ''Titan'', the company's big new IP, doomed to be scrapped in 2014.<ref name="BlizzardLives" /> The team's current focus is ''[[Overwatch franchise|Overwatch]]''.
  +
*[[Team 5]] - ''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]''<ref name="BlizzardLives" />
  +
** 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.<ref name="BlizzardLives" />
 
* [[Classic Games]]
  
* [[Classic Games]]
−
** Formed c. 2015 to "restore" ''StarCraft'', ''Warcraft III'', and ''Diablo II''.<Ref>2015-11-04, [https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-looking-to-revive-these-classic-games-upd/1100-6431991/ Blizzard Looking to Revive These Classic Games]. ''GameSpot'', retrieved on 2017-04-01</ref>
 +
** Formed c. 2015 to "restore" ''StarCraft'', ''Warcraft III'', and ''Diablo II''.<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-looking-to-revive-these-classic-games-upd/1100-6431991/|title=Blizzard Looking to Revive These Classic Games|date=2015-11-04|publisher=GameSpot|author=Eddie Makuch|accessdate=2017-04-01}}</ref> Responsible for ''{{sc|StarCraft: Remastered}}'' and ''[[Warcraft III: Reforged]]''.
  +
*[[Incubation]]
  +
**Formed in 2016 to cultivate new projects. Currently focusing on mobile games.<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://diablo.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/blizzcon-2018-rhykker-interviews-allen-adham-pc-and-console-games-in-development|title=BlizzCon 2018: Rhykker interviews Allen Adham – PC and Console Games in Development|date=2018-11-17|publisher=Blizzplanet|accessdate=2018-11-21}}</ref>
  +
*[[Blizzard Cinematics team|Cinematics team]]
  +
*[[Blizzard Headhunter|Headhunter]]
  +
*[[Vicarious Visions]] - ''Diablo II: Resurrected'' (''Diablo II'' remaster)
  +
**Moved from Activision to Blizzard as a subsidiary in early 2021.<ref name="VicariousVisionsRef1" /><ref name="VicariousVisionsRef2" />
   
 
==Culture==
  
==Culture==
  +
{{Main|Service Awards}}
−
[[File:Blizzard 10 year shield.jpg|thumb|[[hswiki:Jay Baxter|Jay Baxter]]'s 10 year commemorative shield]]
  
−
===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 [http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/b20/sword-and-shield.html Swords and Shields Ceremony] gallery.
  
   
 
==Relationship with Activision Blizzard==
  
==Relationship with Activision Blizzard==
−
On December 2, 2007, [http://www.vivendi.com Vivendi] (Blizzard Entertainment's parent company) announced that their subsidiary Vivendi Games (of which Blizzard Entertainment was a part) would be merging with [http://www.activision.com Activision] to form [http://www.activisionblizzard.com 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.
 +
On December 2, 2007, [http://www.vivendi.com Vivendi] (Blizzard Entertainment's parent company) announced that their subsidiary Vivendi Games (of which Blizzard Entertainment was a part) would be merging with [http://www.activision.com 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,<ref name = "WOWFaq">{{ref web|author=Ordinn|date=2007-12-02|url=http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=3168513659&sid=1|title=0. Activision Blizzard FAQ|publisher=WoW General Discussion Forum|accessdate=2007-12-02}}</ref> as it and Activision continue to exist as separate entities within the Activision Blizzard umbrella.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.blizzard.com/us/press/activision-faq.html|title=Activision Blizzard FAQ}}</ref> Despite many players' fears, there have been no major changes in Blizzard's operations as a result of these business deals.
 +
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. remains Blizzard's brand,<ref name = "WOWFaq">{{ref web|author=Ordinn|date=2007-12-02|url=http://forums.worldofwarcraft.com/thread.html?topicId=3168513659&sid=1|title=0. Activision Blizzard FAQ|publisher=WoW General Discussion Forum|accessdate=2007-12-02}}</ref> as it and Activision continue to exist as separate entities within the Activision Blizzard umbrella.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.blizzard.com/us/press/activision-faq.html|title=Activision Blizzard FAQ}}</ref>
   
 
==Conferences==
  
==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.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/wwi08/ Worldwide|title=Invitation 2008}}</ref>
  
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.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/wwi08/ Worldwide|title=Invitation 2008}}</ref>
   
  +
==Published games and applications==
−
==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".<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/> As of 2014, more than half of its players are in Asia.<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/>
  
−  
−
==Published games & applications==
  
 
===Non-franchise games===
  
===Non-franchise games===
−
{| class="darktable zebra sortable"
 +
{| class="darktable zebra sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center;"
 
|-
  
|-
 
! scope="col"| Company
  
! scope="col"| Company
Line 131: Line 135:
 
|-
  
|-
 
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | as Silicon & Synapse
  
! rowspan="3" scope="row" | as Silicon & Synapse
−
| ''{{wplink|RPM Racing}}''
 +
| ''{{wp|RPM Racing}}''
 
| 1991
  
| 1991
−
| {{wplink|Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES}}
 +
| {{wp|Super Nintendo Entertainment System|SNES}}
−
| {{wplink|Racing video game}}
 +
| Racing game
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[The Lost Vikings franchise|The Lost Vikings]]''
  
| ''[[The Lost Vikings franchise|The Lost Vikings]]''
 
| 1992
  
| 1992
−
| Amiga, {{wplink|Amiga CD32}}, {{wplink|Game Boy Advance|GBA}}, {{wplink|MS-DOS}}, {{wplink|Sega Genesis|Genesis}}, SNES
 +
| {{wp|Amiga}}, {{wp|Amiga CD32}}, {{wp|Game Boy Advance|GBA}}, {{wp|MS-DOS}}, {{wp|Sega Genesis|Genesis}}, SNES, {{wp|Windows}} (2014)
  +
| Puzzle platform game
−
| {{wplink|Side-scrolling video game}}
  
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{wplink|Rock N' Roll Racing}}''
 +
| ''[[Blizzard Classic Arcade#Rock n' Roll Racing|Rock n' Roll Racing]]''
 
| 1993
  
| 1993
−
| SNES, Genesis, GBA
 +
| SNES, Genesis, GBA, {{wp|Windows}} (2014)
 
| Racing video game
  
| Racing video game
 
|-
  
|-
 
! rowspan="6" scope="row" | as Blizzard Entertainment
  
! rowspan="6" scope="row" | as Blizzard Entertainment
−
| ''{{wplink|Blackthorne}}''
 +
| ''{{wp|The Death and Return of Superman}}''
 
| 1994
  
| 1994
  +
| SNES, Genesis
−
| SNES, {{wplink|Sega 32X}}, MS-DOS, GBA, {{wplink|Mac OS}}, {{wplink|Windows}} (2013)
  
−
| {{wplink|Platform game}}
 +
| {{wp|Beat 'em up}}
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| ''[[Blizzard Classic Arcade#Blackthorne|Blackthorne]]''
−
| ''{{wplink|The Death and Return of Superman}}''
  
  +
| 1994
−
| rowspan="2" | 1995
  
  +
| SNES, {{wp|Sega 32X}}, MS-DOS, GBA, {{wp|Mac OS}}, {{wp|Windows}} (2013)
−
| rowspan="2" | SNES, Genesis
  
  +
| Cinematic platformer
−
| Side-scrolling video game
  
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{wplink|Justice League Task Force (video game)|Justice League Task Force}}''
 +
| ''{{wp|Justice League Task Force (video game)|Justice League Task Force}}''
  +
| 1995
−  
  +
| SNES, Genesis
−
| {{wplink|Versus fighting game}}
  
  +
| Fighting game
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[The Lost Vikings franchise|The Lost Vikings 2]]''
  
| ''[[The Lost Vikings franchise|The Lost Vikings 2]]''
 
| 1997
  
| 1997
 
| SNES, Saturn, PlayStation, Windows
  
| SNES, Saturn, PlayStation, Windows
−
| Side-scrolling video game
 +
| Puzzle platform game
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''
  
| ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]''
 
| 2015
  
| 2015
−
| Windows, Mac OS
 +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS
 
| Team Brawler
  
| Team Brawler
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Overwatch]]''
 +
| ''[[Blizzard Arcade Collection]]''
−
| 2016
 +
| 2021
−
| Microsoft Windows, {{wplink|Xbox One}}, {{wplink|Playstation 4}}
 +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One
  +
| Racing, Cinematic platformer, Puzzle platformer
−
| Team-based multiplayer shooter
  
 
|}
  
|}
   
 
===Franchises===
  
===Franchises===
−
{| class="darktable zebra sortable"
 +
{| class="darktable zebra sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center;"
 
|-
  
|-
 
! scope="col"| Universe
  
! scope="col"| Universe
Line 187: Line 192:
 
! scope="col"| Notes
  
! scope="col"| Notes
 
|-
  
|-
−
! rowspan="30" scope="row" | [[Warcraft universe]]
 +
! rowspan="45" scope="row" | [[Warcraft universe]]
 
| ''[[Warcraft: Orcs & Humans]]''
  
| ''[[Warcraft: Orcs & Humans]]''
  +
| 1994 (original)<br/>2019 ({{wp|GOG.com}})
−
| 1994
  
 
| MS-DOS, Mac OS, PC-98
  
| MS-DOS, Mac OS, PC-98
 
| Real-time strategy
  
| Real-time strategy
  +
|
−
| Port/remake (TBA)<ref name="Warcraft remake">{{ref web|date=2013-11-10|url=http://www.gameinformer.com/b/news/archive/2013/11/10/blizzard-working-on-bringing-warcraft-1-amp-2-to-modern-pcs.aspx|title=Blizzard Working On Bringing Warcraft & Warcraft II To Modern PCs|publisher=Gameinformer|author=Kyle Hilliard|accessdate=2014-01-03}}</ref><ref name="Youtube Warcraft Remake">[http://youtu.be/JL2v7WTXO9w?t=34m58s BlizzCon 2013 World of Warcraft Q&A Panel]</ref>
  
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness]]''
  
| ''[[Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness]]''
Line 198: Line 203:
 
| MS-DOS, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows
  
| MS-DOS, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows
 
| Real-time strategy
  
| Real-time strategy
  +
|
−
| Port/remake (TBA)<ref name="Warcraft remake"/><ref name="Youtube Warcraft Remake"/>
  
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal]]''
  
| ''[[Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal]]''
 
| 1996
  
| 1996
−
| Mac OS, MS-DOS, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, Microsoft Windows
 +
| Mac OS, MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows
  +
| RTS expansion pack
−
| Real-time strategy
  
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
Line 213: Line 218:
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition]]''
  
| ''[[Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition]]''
  +
| 1999 (original)<br/>2019 ({{wp|GOG.com}})
−
| 1999
  
−
| MS-DOS, Mac OS, Sega Saturn, PlayStation, Microsoft Windows
 +
| MS-DOS, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows
 
| Real-time strategy
  
| Real-time strategy
 
|
 
|
Line 220: Line 225:
 
| ''[[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]]''
  
| ''[[Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos]]''
 
| 2002
  
| 2002
−
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Mac OS X
 +
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
 
| Real-time strategy
  
| Real-time strategy
  +
|
−
| Port/remake (TBA)<ref name="Warcraft remake"/><ref name="Youtube Warcraft Remake"/>
  
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne]]''
  
| ''[[Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne]]''
 
| 2003
  
| 2003
−
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, and Mac OS X
 +
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS
  +
| RTS expansion
−
| Real-time strategy
  
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[World of Warcraft]]''
  
| ''[[World of Warcraft]]''
 
| 2004
  
| 2004
−
| rowspan="2" | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, (Linux via Wine or Cedega)
 +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS, (Linux via Wine or Cedega)
 
| MMORPG
  
| MMORPG
 
|
 
|
Line 238: Line 243:
 
| ''[[World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade]]''
  
| ''[[World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade]]''
 
| 2007
  
| 2007
  +
|
−
| Expansion pack
  
  +
| Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King]]''
  
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King]]''
 
| 2008
  
| 2008
  +
|
−
| rowspan="3" | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
  
−
| Expansion pack
 +
| Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Cataclysm]]''
  
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Cataclysm]]''
 
| 2010
  
| 2010
  +
|
−
| rowspan="2" | Expansion pack
  
  +
| Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria]]''
  
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria]]''
 
| 2012
  
| 2012
  +
|
  +
| Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft]]''
  
| ''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft]]''
−
| rowspan="4" | 2014
 +
| 2014
−
| rowspan="2" | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current)
 +
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone
 
| CCG
  
| CCG
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: Curse of Naxxramas|Curse of Naxxramas]]''
 +
| ''{{hs|Curse of Naxxramas|Hearthstone: Curse of Naxxramas}}''
  +
| 2014
−
| CCG Adventure pack
  
  +
|
  +
| CCG Adventure
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor]]''
  
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor]]''
  +
| 2014
−
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
  
−
| Expansion pack
  
 
|
 
|
  +
| Expansion
−
|-
  
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: Goblins vs Gnomes|Goblins vs Gnomes]]''
  
−
| rowspan="6" | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone (current)
  
−
| CCG Expansion pack
  
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: Blackrock Mountain|Blackrock Mountain]]''
 +
| ''{{hs|Goblins vs Gnomes|Hearthstone: Goblins vs Gnomes}}''
  +
| 2014
−
| rowspan="3" | 2015
  
  +
|
−
| CCG Adventure pack
  
  +
| CCG Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: The Grand Tournament|The Grand Tournament]]''
 +
| ''{{hs|Blackrock Mountain|Hearthstone: Blackrock Mountain}}''
  +
| 2015
−
| CCG Expansion pack
  
  +
|
  +
| CCG Adventure
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|The Grand Tournament|Hearthstone: The Grand Tournament}}''
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: The League of Explorers|The League of Explorers]]''
  
  +
| 2015
−
| CCG Adventure pack
  
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|The League of Explorers|Hearthstone: The League of Explorers}}''
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: Whispers of the Old Gods|Whispers of the Old Gods]]''
  
  +
| 2015
−
| rowspan="4" | 2016
  
  +
|
−
| rowspan="2" | CCG Expansion pack
  
  +
| CCG Adventure
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Whispers of the Old Gods|Hearthstone: Whispers of the Old Gods}}''
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: One Night in Karazhan|One Night in Karazhan]]''
  
  +
| 2016
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
 
|
 
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|One Night in Karazhan|Hearthstone: One Night in Karazhan}}''
  +
| 2016
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Legion]]''
  
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Legion]]''
  +
| 2016
 
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
  
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
−
| Expansion pack
 +
| Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: Mean Streets of Gadgetzan|Mean Streets of Gadgetzan]]''
 +
| ''{{hs|Mean Streets of Gadgetzan|Hearthstone: Mean Streets of Gadgetzan}}''
  +
| 2016
−
| rowspan="4" | Microsoft Windows, macOS, iPad, Android, iPhone (current)
  
  +
|
−
| rowspan="4" | CCG Expansion pack
  
  +
| CCG Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: Journey to Un'Goro|Journey to Un'Goro]]''
 +
| ''{{hs|Journey to Un'Goro|Hearthstone: Journey to Un'Goro}}''
−
| rowspan="3" | 2017
 +
| 2017
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: Knights of the Frozen Throne|Knights of the Frozen Throne]]''
 +
| ''{{hs|Knights of the Frozen Throne|Hearthstone: Knights of the Frozen Throne}}''
  +
| 2017
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: Kobolds & Catacombs|Kobolds & Catacombs]]''
 +
| ''{{hs|Kobolds & Catacombs|Hearthstone: Kobolds & Catacombs}}''
  +
| 2017
 
|
 
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth]]''
  
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth]]''
 
| 2018
  
| 2018
−
| rowspan="2" | Microsoft Windows, macOS
 +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS
−
| Expansion pack
 +
| Expansion
−
|
  
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Hearthstone: The Witchwood|The Witchwood]]''
 +
| ''{{hs|The Witchwood|Hearthstone: The Witchwood}}''
 
| 2018
  
| 2018
−
| CCG Expansion pack
  
 
|
  
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|The Boomsday Project|Hearthstone: The Boomsday Project}}''
  +
| 2018
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Rastakhan's Rumble|Hearthstone: Rastakhan's Rumble}}''
  +
| 2018
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Rise of Shadows|Hearthstone: Rise of Shadows}}''
  +
| 2019
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Saviors of Uldum|Hearthstone: Saviors of Uldum}}''
  +
| 2019
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Tombs of Terror|Hearthstone: Tombs of Terror}}''
  +
| 2019
  +
|
  +
| CCG Adventure
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Classic]]''
  +
| 2019
  +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS
  +
| Server option
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Descent of Dragons|Hearthstone: Descent of Dragons}}''
  +
| 2019
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Galakrond's Awakening|Hearthstone: Galakrond's Awakening}}''
  +
| 2020
  +
|
  +
| CCG Adventure
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[Warcraft III: Reforged]]''
  +
| 2020
  +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS
  +
| Real-time strategy
  +
| Remaster of ''[[Warcraft III]]''
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Ashes of Outland|Hearthstone: Ashes of Outland}}''
  +
| 2020
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Scholomance Academy|Hearthstone: Scholomance Academy}}''
  +
| 2020
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Madness at the Darkmoon Faire|Hearthstone: Madness at the Darkmoon Faire}}''
  +
| 2020
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Shadowlands]]''
  +
| 2020
  +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS
  +
| Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Darkmoon Races|Hearthstone: Darkmoon Races}}''
  +
| 2021
  +
|
  +
| CCG mini-set
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{hs|Forged in the Barrens|Hearthstone: Forged in the Barrens}}''
  +
| 2021
  +
|
  +
| CCG Expansion
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic]]''
  +
| TBA 2021
  +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS
  +
| Server option
  +
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''Untitled Warcraft mobile game<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://warcraft.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/blizzards-unannounced-warcraft-mobile-game|title=Blizzard’s Unannounced Warcraft Mobile Game|publisher=Blizzplanet|date=2017-06-16|accessdate=2017-06-19}}</ref>
  
| ''Untitled Warcraft mobile game<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://warcraft.blizzplanet.com/blog/comments/blizzards-unannounced-warcraft-mobile-game|title=Blizzard’s Unannounced Warcraft Mobile Game|publisher=Blizzplanet|date=2017-06-16|accessdate=2017-06-19}}</ref>
Line 335: Line 463:
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
  +
! rowspan="9" scope="row" | [[StarCraft franchise]]
−
| ''World of Warcraft'' eighth expansion<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/wows-next-expansions-already-planned/1100-6429583/|title=WoW's Next Expansions Already Planned|date=2015-08-07|accessdate=2015-08-09|publisher=GameSpot}}</ref>
  
  +
| ''{{sc|StarCraft}}''
−
| TBA
  
  +
| 1998
−
| Microsoft Windows, macOS
  
  +
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
−
| Expansion pack
  
−
|
 
−
|-
  
−
! rowspan="10" scope="row" | [[StarCraft franchise]]
  
−
| ''{{StarCraft|StarCraft}}''
  
−
| rowspan="2" | 1998
  
−
| rowspan="2" | Windows, Mac OS X
  
 
| Real-time strategy
  
| Real-time strategy
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{StarCraft|StarCraft: Brood War}}''
 +
| ''{{sc|StarCraft: Brood War}}''
  +
| 1998
−
| Expansion pack
  
  +
|
  +
| Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{StarCraft|StarCraft 64}}''
 +
| ''{{sc|StarCraft 64}}''
 
| 2000
  
| 2000
 
| Nintendo 64
  
| Nintendo 64
−
| rowspan="2" | Real-time strategy
 +
| Real-time strategy
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{StarCraft|StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty}}''
 +
| ''{{sc|StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty}}''
 
| 2010
  
| 2010
 
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
  
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
  +
| Real-time strategy
−
|
 
  +
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{StarCraft|StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm}}''
 +
| ''{{sc|StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm}}''
 
| 2013
  
| 2013
  +
|
−
| rowspan="2" | Microsoft Windows, OS X
  
−
| rowspan="2" | Expansion pack
 +
| Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{StarCraft|StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void}}''
 +
| ''{{sc|StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void}}''
 
| 2015
  
| 2015
  +
|
  +
| Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{StarCraft|StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops}}''
 +
| ''{{sc|StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops}}''
 
| 2016
  
| 2016
  +
|
−
| rowspan="2" | Microsoft Windows, macOS
  
 
| Mission packs (1-3)
  
| Mission packs (1-3)
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{StarCraft|StarCraft: Remastered}}''
 +
| ''{{sc|StarCraft: Remastered}}''
 
| 2017
  
| 2017
  +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS
 
| Real-time strategy
  
| Real-time strategy
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| ''{{sc|StarCraft II: Free to Play}}''
−
! rowspan="8" scope="row" | [[Diablo franchise]]
  
  +
| 2017
−
| ''{{wplink|Diablo (video game)|Diablo}}''
  
  +
|
−
| 1996
  
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
! rowspan="10" scope="row" | [[Diablo franchise]]
  +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo (Game)|Diablo}}''
  +
| 1996<br>2019 ({{wp|GOG.com}})
 
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation <small>(1998)</small>
  
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation <small>(1998)</small>
 
| Action role-playing, hack and slash, dark fantasy
  
| Action role-playing, hack and slash, dark fantasy
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{wplink|Diablo II}}''
 +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo II}}''
 
| 2000
  
| 2000
−
| rowspan="2" | Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
 +
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
 
| Action role-playing, hack and slash
  
| Action role-playing, hack and slash
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{wplink|Diablo II: Lord of Destruction}}''
 +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo II: Lord of Destruction}}''
 
| 2001
  
| 2001
  +
| Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X
 
| Expansion pack
  
| Expansion pack
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{wplink|Diablo III}}''
 +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo III}}''
 
| 2012
  
| 2012
 
| Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlaySation 3/4 and Xbox 360/One (2013)
  
| Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlaySation 3/4 and Xbox 360/One (2013)
Line 408: Line 543:
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{wplink|Diablo III: Reaper of Souls}}''
 +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo III: Reaper of Souls}}''
−
| rowspan="2" | 2014
 +
| 2014
 
| Microsoft Windows, OS X
  
| Microsoft Windows, OS X
−
| Expansion pack
 +
| Expansion
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''{{wplink|Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition}}''
 +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition}}''
  +
| 2014
 
| PlaySation 3/4, Xbox 360/One
  
| PlaySation 3/4, Xbox 360/One
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo III: Eternal Collection}}''<ref>[https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A5qdoYmcU44 Diablo III Nintendo Switch Trailer]</ref>
−
| ''Untitled Diablo game''<ref>{{Ref web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/careers/posting.html?id=15000KB|title=Art Director, Unannounced Project|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|accessdate=2015-08-06}}</ref>
  
  +
| 2018
  +
| Windows, macOS, {{wp|Nintendo Switch}}, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
  +
|
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo Immortal}}''
 
| TBA
  
| TBA
  +
| {{wp|Android (operating system)|Android}}, {{wp|iOS}}
  +
| MMOARPG
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo II: Resurrected}}''
  +
| TBA 2021
  +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS, consoles
  +
| Action roleplaying, hack n' slash
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{Diablo|Diablo IV}}''
  +
| TBA
  +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS, consoles
  +
| Action roleplaying, hack n' slash
 
|
 
|
−
|
+
|-
  +
! rowspan="2" scope="row" | [[Overwatch franchise]]
−
|
 
  +
| ''[[Overwatch franchise|Overwatch]]''
  +
| 2016
  +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS, {{wp|Xbox One}}, {{wp|Playstation 4}}
  +
| Team-based multiplayer shooter
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[Overwatch franchise|Overwatch 2]]''
  +
| TBA
  +
| Microsoft Windows, macOS, consoles
  +
| Team-based multiplayer shooter
  +
|
 
|}
  
|}
   
 
===Applications===
  
===Applications===
−
{| class="darktable zebra sortable"
 +
{| class="darktable zebra sortable mw-collapsible" style="text-align:center;"
 
|-
  
|-
 
! scope="col"| Title
  
! scope="col"| Title
−
! scope="col"| Release date
 +
! scope="col"| Release year
 
! scope="col"| Platform(s)
  
! scope="col"| Platform(s)
 
! scope="col"| Notes
  
! scope="col"| Notes
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Blizzard Downloader]]''
 +
| ''[[Blizzard Downloader]]''{{KIA}}
 
|
 
|
 
| Windows, Mac OS
  
| Windows, Mac OS
−
| Replaced/No longer used
 +
| Replaced / Defunct
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Blizzard Launcher]]''
 +
| ''[[Blizzard Launcher]]''{{KIA}}
−
| November 15, 2005
 +
| 2005
 
| Windows, Mac OS
  
| Windows, Mac OS
 
| Introduced with patch [[1.8.3]], replaced and no longer used since [[6.0.2]]
  
| Introduced with patch [[1.8.3]], replaced and no longer used since [[6.0.2]]
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Blizzard Repair]]''
 +
| ''[[Blizzard Repair]]''{{KIA}}
 
|
 
|
 
| Windows, Mac OS
  
| Windows, Mac OS
 
| Replaced with the desktop app
  
| Replaced with the desktop app
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[Blizzard Updater]]''
 +
| ''[[Blizzard Updater]]''{{KIA}}
 
|
 
|
 
| Windows, Mac OS
  
| Windows, Mac OS
−
| Replaced/No longer used
 +
| Replaced with the desktop app
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Blizzard Mobile Authenticator]]''
  
| ''[[Blizzard Mobile Authenticator]]''
−
| March 27, 2009
 +
| 2009
  +
| iOS, Android<br />Windows,{{KIA}} Blackberry{{KIA}}
  +
| Originally named Battle.net Mobile Authenticator
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[BlizzCon#Mobile|BlizzCon Mobile]]''
  +
| 2011
 
| iOS, Android
  
| iOS, Android
  +
| Originally ''BlizzCon Guide''
−
| Originally named Battle.net Mobile Authenticator; supported Windows and Blackberry before being scrapped
  
 
|-
  
|-
−
| ''[[World of Warcraft Mobile Armory|WoW Mobile Armory]]''
 +
| ''[[World of Warcraft Mobile Armory|WoW Mobile Armory]]''{{KIA}}
−
| July 2009
 +
| 2009
 
| iOS, Android
  
| iOS, Android
 
|
  
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{StarCraft|StarCraft WCS}}''
  +
| 2013
  +
| iOS, Android
  +
| Originally ''Blizzard WCS''
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Blizzard Battle.net desktop app]]''
  
| ''[[Blizzard Battle.net desktop app]]''
−
| August 2013
 +
| 2013
−
| Windows, OS X
 +
| Windows, macOS
 
| Originally named Battle.net desktop app and Blizzard desktop app
  
| Originally named Battle.net desktop app and Blizzard desktop app
 
|-
  
|-
  +
| {{Diablo|Blizzard Augmented Reality Viewer|Blizzard AR Viewer}}{{KIA}}
−
| ''[[World of Warcraft Legion Companion App|WoW Legion Companion App]]''
  
  +
| 2014
−
| September 6, 2016
  
  +
| iOS, Android
  +
| Defunct on iOS
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[World of Warcraft Legion Companion App|WoW Legion Companion App]]''{{KIA}}
  +
| 2016
 
| iOS, Android
  
| iOS, Android
 
|
  
|
 
|-
  
|-
 
| ''[[Blizzard Battle.net Mobile app]]''
  
| ''[[Blizzard Battle.net Mobile app]]''
−
| September 26, 2017
 +
| 2017
−
| {{wplink|iOS}}, {{wplink|Android}}
 +
| iOS, Android
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''{{Overwatch|Overwatch League Mobile App}}''
  +
| 2018
  +
| iOS, Android
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[BlizzCon#TV|BlizzCon TV]]''
  +
| 2018
  +
| Fire TV, Apple TV
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[Blizzard Esports#Mobile|Blizzard Esports]]''
  +
| 2018
  +
| iOS, Android
  +
|
  +
|-
  +
| ''[[World of Warcraft: Companion App|WoW Companion App]]''
  +
| 2018
  +
| iOS, Android
 
|
  
|
 
|}
  
|}
  +
:{{KIA}} Defunct
   
 
===Other===
  
===Other===
Line 488: Line 690:
 
:**''[[BlizzCon Epic Armor Pack]]'' (Published: 2007)
  
:**''[[BlizzCon Epic Armor Pack]]'' (Published: 2007)
 
:**''[[The Burning Crusade (board game)|The Burning Crusade]]'' (Published: September 2007)
  
:**''[[The Burning Crusade (board game)|The Burning Crusade]]'' (Published: September 2007)
−
:**''[[World of Warcraft: The Board Game#Expansions|Scion of Darkness]]'' (Canceled: 2008)
  
−  
−
:''Related to StarCraft''
  
−
:*''[[Arcade Workshop]]'' (Published: 2014)
  
   
 
===Rumored games===
  
===Rumored games===
 
'''Note:''' Blizzard has confirmed that they are NOT working on a ''StarCraft'' or ''Diablo'' [[MMORPG]].<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-freezes-non-wow-mmog-rumors/1100-6152718/|title=Blizzard freezes non-WOW MMOG rumors|publisher=GameSpot|date=2006-06-14|accessdate=2013-11-13}}</ref>
  
'''Note:''' Blizzard has confirmed that they are NOT working on a ''StarCraft'' or ''Diablo'' [[MMORPG]].<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.gamespot.com/articles/blizzard-freezes-non-wow-mmog-rumors/1100-6152718/|title=Blizzard freezes non-WOW MMOG rumors|publisher=GameSpot|date=2006-06-14|accessdate=2013-11-13}}</ref>
−
*''Diablo IV''<ref>{{ref web|date=2013-05-21|url=http://www.mmorpg.com/blogs/selinnasback/052013/25142_Travis-Day-guaranteed-players-that-the-Diablo-4-will-Certainly-Come|title=Travis Day guaranteed players that the Diablo 4 will Certainly Come|publisher=MMORPG Champion|accessdate=2014-04-12}}</ref>
 
 
*''StarCraft III''<ref name = "SCWC">2015-08-12, [http://au.ign.com/articles/2015/08/12/gamescom-2015-blizzard-will-consider-warcraft-rts-once-starcraft-2-is-done GAMESCOM 2015: BLIZZARD WILL 'CONSIDER WARCRAFT' RTS ONCE STARCRAFT 2 IS DONE]. ''IGN'', retrieved on 2015-08-12</ref>
  
*''StarCraft III''<ref name = "SCWC">2015-08-12, [http://au.ign.com/articles/2015/08/12/gamescom-2015-blizzard-will-consider-warcraft-rts-once-starcraft-2-is-done GAMESCOM 2015: BLIZZARD WILL 'CONSIDER WARCRAFT' RTS ONCE STARCRAFT 2 IS DONE]. ''IGN'', retrieved on 2015-08-12</ref>
 
*''Untitled first-person game (TBA)<ref>November, 2016, [https://gamerant.com/blizzard-first-person-game-258/ Blizzard Working on New First Person Game]. ''Gamerant'', retrieved on 2016-12-01</ref>
  
*''Untitled first-person game (TBA)<ref>November, 2016, [https://gamerant.com/blizzard-first-person-game-258/ Blizzard Working on New First Person Game]. ''Gamerant'', retrieved on 2016-12-01</ref>
Line 502: Line 699:
   
 
===Unreleased/Cancelled games===
  
===Unreleased/Cancelled games===
  +
About 50% of all Blizzard games have been canceled during development.<ref name="AdhamInterview" />
  +
  +
*''{{sc|Ares (game)|Project Ares}}'' (codename for a ''StarCraft'' first-person shooter, cancelled on June 6, 2019 to put more resources into ''Overwatch 2'' and ''Diablo 4'')<ref name="KotakuD4OW2">{{Ref web|url=https://kotaku.com/sources-blizzard-cancels-starcraft-first-person-shoote-1835285125|title=Sources: Blizzard Cancels StarCraft First-Person Shooter To Focus On Diablo 4 And Overwatch 2|publisher=Kotaku|author=Jason Schreier|date=2019-06-06|accessdate=2019-06-08}}</ref>
 
*''Bloodlines'' (concepts later used for ''StarCraft'')
  
*''Bloodlines'' (concepts later used for ''StarCraft'')
 
*''Crixa'' (2D shooter)<ref>{{ref web|date=2014-09-23|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/23/6833039/blizzard-cancelled-unreleased-games|title=A brief history of Blizzard's cancelled and unreleased games|publisher=Polygon|accessdate=2014-09-24}}</ref>
  
*''Crixa'' (2D shooter)<ref>{{ref web|date=2014-09-23|url=http://www.polygon.com/2014/9/23/6833039/blizzard-cancelled-unreleased-games|title=A brief history of Blizzard's cancelled and unreleased games|publisher=Polygon|accessdate=2014-09-24}}</ref>
 
*''Crossroads'' (unused MMO concept)<ref name = "TitanFailure">2017-05-11, [http://blizzardwatch.com/2017/11/05/blizzcon-2017-overwatch-rose-titans-failure/ BlizzCon 2017: How Overwatch rose from Titan’s failure]. ''Blizzard Watch'', accessed on 2017-11-05</ref>
  
*''Crossroads'' (unused MMO concept)<ref name = "TitanFailure">2017-05-11, [http://blizzardwatch.com/2017/11/05/blizzcon-2017-overwatch-rose-titans-failure/ BlizzCon 2017: How Overwatch rose from Titan’s failure]. ''Blizzard Watch'', accessed on 2017-11-05</ref>
 
*''Denizen''<ref name = "DICE08">{{ref web|date=2008-02-07|url=http://au.gamespot.com/news/dice-08-blizzard-talks-about-blowing-up-6185736|title=D.I.C.E. '08: Blizzard talks about blowing up|publisher=GameSpot|accessdate=2013-05-29}}</ref>
  
*''Denizen''<ref name = "DICE08">{{ref web|date=2008-02-07|url=http://au.gamespot.com/news/dice-08-blizzard-talks-about-blowing-up-6185736|title=D.I.C.E. '08: Blizzard talks about blowing up|publisher=GameSpot|accessdate=2013-05-29}}</ref>
−
*''[http://diablo.wikia.com/wiki/Diablo_II:_Salvation Diablo II: Salvation]'' (trademark patented in 2001)
 +
*''{{Diablo|Diablo II: Salvation}}'' (trademark patented in 2001)
−
*''[http://diablo.wikia.com/wiki/Diablo_III:_The_King_in_the_North Diablo III: The King in the North]'' (cancelled second expansion for ''Diablo III'')
 +
*''{{Diablo|Diablo III: The King in the North}}'' (canceled second expansion for ''Diablo III'')
−
*''[http://diablo.wikia.com/wiki/Diablo_Junior Diablo Junior]'' (intended for the Gameboy Color, scrapped due to production costs)<ref>{{ref web|date=2012-10-12|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/blizzard-north-considered-making-diablo-junior-for-the-game-boy/|title=Blizzard North considered making Diablo Junior for the Game Boy Color|publisher=Joystiq|accessdate=2013-05-29}}</ref>
 +
*''{{Diablo|Diablo Junior}}'' (intended for the Gameboy Color, scrapped due to production costs)<ref>{{ref web|date=2012-10-12|url=http://www.joystiq.com/2012/10/12/blizzard-north-considered-making-diablo-junior-for-the-game-boy/|title=Blizzard North considered making Diablo Junior for the Game Boy Color|publisher=Joystiq|accessdate=2013-05-29}}</ref>
−
*''[http://diablo.wikia.com/wiki/Diablo_MMO Diablo MMO]'' (dropped concept)
 +
*''{{Diablo|Diablo MMO}}'' (dropped concept)
 
*''Games People Play'' (crossword puzzles, boggle, and other word games)<ref name = "MobyBlizzard">{{ref web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/company/blizzard-entertainment-inc|title=Blizzard Entertainment Inc.|publisher=Moby Games|accessdate=2013-05-28}}</ref>
  
*''Games People Play'' (crossword puzzles, boggle, and other word games)<ref name = "MobyBlizzard">{{ref web|url=http://www.mobygames.com/company/blizzard-entertainment-inc|title=Blizzard Entertainment Inc.|publisher=Moby Games|accessdate=2013-05-28}}</ref>
  +
*''{{Diablo|Project Hades|Hades}}'' (first ''Diablo IV'' iteration, cancelled)
−
*''Nomad'' (Cancelled in favor of ''World of Warcraft'')<ref name = "MobyBlizzard"/>
  
  +
*''[[World of Warcraft#Nomad|Nomad]]'' (cancelled in favor of ''World of Warcraft'')<ref name = "MobyBlizzard"/>
 
*''Pax Imperia II'' (rights sold to THQ, later released as ''[[wikipedia:Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain|Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain]]'')<ref>{{ref web|publisher=JudgeHype|url=http://www.judgehype.com/hype17/|title=Pax Imperia II|accessdate=2013-05-28}}</ref>
  
*''Pax Imperia II'' (rights sold to THQ, later released as ''[[wikipedia:Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain|Pax Imperia: Eminent Domain]]'')<ref>{{ref web|publisher=JudgeHype|url=http://www.judgehype.com/hype17/|title=Pax Imperia II|accessdate=2013-05-28}}</ref>
 
*''Raiko''<ref name = "DICE08"/>
  
*''Raiko''<ref name = "DICE08"/>
 
*''Ronin''<ref>{{ref web|date=2013-02-04|url=http://insidetheboxreviews.com/review/the-art-of-blizzard-entertainment-book-review|title=The Art of Blizzard Entertainment (book) review…|publisher=Inside the Box|accessdate=2013-05-28}}</ref>
  
*''Ronin''<ref>{{ref web|date=2013-02-04|url=http://insidetheboxreviews.com/review/the-art-of-blizzard-entertainment-book-review|title=The Art of Blizzard Entertainment (book) review…|publisher=Inside the Box|accessdate=2013-05-28}}</ref>
  +
*''RPM II'' (sequel to ''RPM Racing'', canceled in favor of ''Rock N' Roll Racing'')<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/blizzard/23622602/rock-n-roll-racing-s-unmistakable-influence-on-the-blizzard-style|title=ROCK N ROLL RACING'S UNMISTAKABLE INFLUENCE ON THE BLIZZARD STYLE|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|date=2021-02-20|accessdate=2021-04-21}}</ref>
−
*''[http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/StarCraft#Conception Shattered Nations]'' (cancelled in favor of ''StarCraft'')<ref name = "DICE08"/>
  
  +
*''{{StarCraft|StarCraft#Conception|Shattered Nations}}'' (cancelled in favor of ''StarCraft'')<ref name = "DICE08"/>
−
*''[http://diablo.wikia.com/wiki/Starblo Starblo]'' (ARPG in a sci-fi setting)<ref>{{ref web|date=2012-10-23|url=http://www.neowin.net/news/diablo-in-space-blizzard-actually-worked-on-starblo|title=Diablo in space? Blizzard actually worked on "Starblo"|publisher=Neowin.net|accessdate=2013-05-29}}</ref>
  
−
* ''{{StarCraft|Starcraft: Ghost}}'' (indefinitely postponed on March 24, 2006)<ref>{{ref web|url=http://worthplaying.com/article/2006/3/24/news/32071/|title='StarCraft: Ghost' (PS2/Xbox) Cancelled But Goes Next-Gen|publisher=Worthplaying|date=2006-03-24|accessdate=2013-11-13}}</ref>
 +
*''{{Diablo|Starblo}}'' (ARPG in a sci-fi setting)<ref>{{ref web|date=2012-10-23|url=http://www.neowin.net/news/diablo-in-space-blizzard-actually-worked-on-starblo|title=Diablo in space? Blizzard actually worked on "Starblo"|publisher=Neowin.net|accessdate=2013-05-29}}</ref>
  +
*''{{StarCraft|StarCraft: Ghost}}'' (indefinitely postponed on March 24, 2006)<ref>{{ref web|url=http://worthplaying.com/article/2006/3/24/news/32071/|title='StarCraft: Ghost' (PS2/Xbox) Cancelled But Goes Next-Gen|publisher=Worthplaying|date=2006-03-24|accessdate=2013-11-13}}</ref>
−
*''[http://starcraft.wikia.com/wiki/StarCraft_MMO StarCraft MMO]'' (dropped concept)
  
  +
*''{{StarCraft|StarCraft MMO}}'' (dropped concept)
−
*''Titan'' was the project name for a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) that was being developed as a new IP. In September 2014, Blizzard co-founder and CEO, [[Mike Morhaime]], confirmed with Polygon that the project had been cancelled.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/23/6833563/blizzard-cancels-its-world-of-warcraft-successor|date=2014-09-23|author=Ross Miller|publisher=The Verge|title=Blizzard cancels its 'World of Warcraft' successor}}</ref>
  
  +
*''{{Overwatch|Project Titan|Titan}}'' was the project name for a massively multiplayer online game (MMO) that was being developed as a new IP. In September 2014, Blizzard co-founder and CEO, [[Mike Morhaime]], confirmed with Polygon that the project had been canceled.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.theverge.com/2014/9/23/6833563/blizzard-cancels-its-world-of-warcraft-successor|date=2014-09-23|author=Ross Miller|publisher=The Verge|title=Blizzard cancels its 'World of Warcraft' successor}}</ref> Some of the concepts would later be reworked into the original pitch for ''Overwatch.''
  +
*''Untitled mobile game'' (cancelled in June, 2019)<ref name="KotakuD4OW2" />
 
*''Untitled pirate-themed ARPG'' (cancelled after a year of development)<ref>2016-01-09, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQsiAnJ4PVo& Marvel Heroes 2015 (January 8 2016)]. ''YouTube'', retrieved on 2016-01-11</ref>
  
*''Untitled pirate-themed ARPG'' (cancelled after a year of development)<ref>2016-01-09, [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=WQsiAnJ4PVo& Marvel Heroes 2015 (January 8 2016)]. ''YouTube'', retrieved on 2016-01-11</ref>
 
*''Untitled project by Mike Booth'' (abandoned in June, 2015)<ref>2015-07-31, [http://blizzpro.com/2015/07/31/the-unsolved-mystery-of-mike-booth/ THE UNSOLVED MYSTERY OF MIKE BOOTH]. ''Blizzpro'', retrieved on 2015-08-01</ref>
  
*''Untitled project by Mike Booth'' (abandoned in June, 2015)<ref>2015-07-31, [http://blizzpro.com/2015/07/31/the-unsolved-mystery-of-mike-booth/ THE UNSOLVED MYSTERY OF MIKE BOOTH]. ''Blizzpro'', retrieved on 2015-08-01</ref>
−
*''[[Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans]]'' (cancelled on May 22, 1998)
 +
*''[[Warcraft Adventures: Lord of the Clans]]'' (canceled on May 22, 1998)
  +
*''[[Warcraft Legends (game)|Warcraft Legends]]'' (canceled RPG, elements re-used in ''Warcraft III'')
  +
*''[[World of Warcraft: The Board Game#Expansions|World of Warcraft: The Board Game - Scion of Darkness]]'' (canceled in 2008)
   
 
==Awards==
  
==Awards==
  +
{{:Blizzard Entertainment/Awards}}
−
These are the following awards received for Blizzard Entertainment and Warcraft related.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://us.blizzard.com/en-us/company/about/awards.html|title=Awards - Blizzard Entertainment|publisher='''Blizzard Entertainment'''}}</ref> For other game awards, {{Gamepedia|diablo|Blizzard_Entertainment|Diablo}} and {{StarCraft|Blizzard Entertainment|StarCraft}}.
  
−  
−
===[[BlizzCon 2017]]===
  
−
*Guinness World Record: [[Battle for Lordaeron Diorama|Largest video game diorama ever built]]
  
−  
−
===World of Warcraft: [[Warlords of Draenor]]===
  
−
*Editor's Choice - '''IGN'''
  
−
*People's Choice: Best Game Expansion/Add On - '''IGN'''
  
−  
−
===[[Hearthstone (game)|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'''
  
−
*<nowiki>#</nowiki>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'''
  
−
*<nowiki>#2</nowiki> Reader's Top 50 - '''PC Gamer''' <!-- Do not remove nowiki tags, they're there for a reason. -->
  
−
*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==
  
==Employees==
−
{{Main|:Category:Blizzard Entertainment employees}}
 +
{{Main|:Category:Blizzard Entertainment employees|label1=Category:Blizzard Entertainment employees}}
   
 
===Notable===
  
===Notable===
  +
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[J. Allen Brack]] (president)
 
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Allen Adham]] (vice president and co-founder)
  
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Allen Adham]] (vice president and co-founder)
  +
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Mike Ybarra]] (exe. vice president and GM)<ref>{{Ref web|url=https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-24-former-xbox-exec-mike-ybarra-joins-blizzard-entertainment|title=Former Xbox exec Mike Ybarra joins Blizzard Entertainment|publisher=GamesIndustry.biz|author=Matthew Handrahan|date=2019-10-24|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20191024112147/https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2019-10-24-former-xbox-exec-mike-ybarra-joins-blizzard-entertainment|archivedate=2019-10-24}}</ref>
 
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Greg Canessa]] ([[Battle.net 2.0]] project coordinator)<ref name = "BnetPreview">{{ref web|author=Blizzard Entertainment staff, Greg Canessa|date=2010-02-09|url=http://www.starcraft2.com/features/misc/battlenet.xml|title=Battle.net Preview|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|accessdate=2010-02-09}}</ref>
  
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Greg Canessa]] ([[Battle.net 2.0]] project coordinator)<ref name = "BnetPreview">{{ref web|author=Blizzard Entertainment staff, Greg Canessa|date=2010-02-09|url=http://www.starcraft2.com/features/misc/battlenet.xml|title=Battle.net Preview|publisher=Blizzard Entertainment|accessdate=2010-02-09}}</ref>
 
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Tom Chilton]]
  
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Tom Chilton]]
 
*[[File:BTNTemp.png|18px]] [[Samwise Didier]] (art director)
  
*[[File:BTNTemp.png|18px]] [[Samwise Didier]] (art director)
−
*[[File:Portrait Drawgoon.jpg|18px]] [[Drawgoon]]
 +
*[[File:Portrait Drawgoon.jpg|18px]] [[Peter Lee]]
 
*[[File:Portrait RedKnuckle.jpg|18px]] [[Mark Gibbons]]
  
*[[File:Portrait RedKnuckle.jpg|18px]] [[Mark Gibbons]]
−
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Michael Morhaime]] (president and co-founder)
  
 
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Frank Pearce]] (vice president and co-founder)
  
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Frank Pearce]] (vice president and co-founder)
−
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Brian Holinka]] (''WoW'' senior game designer, PvP)
 +
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Brian Holinka]] (''WoW'' senior game designer)
−
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[J. Allen Brack]] (''WoW'' production director)
  
 
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Chris Robinson]] (''WoW'' senior art director)
  
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Chris Robinson]] (''WoW'' senior art director)
 
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Ion Hazzikostas]]
  
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Ion Hazzikostas]]
−
*[[File:Portrait Raneman.jpg|18px]] [[Raneman]]
 +
*[[File:Portrait Raneman.jpg|18px]] [[Glenn Rane]]
 
*[[File:Portait Thammer Wolf Worgen.jpg|18px]] [[Thammer]]
  
*[[File:Portait Thammer Wolf Worgen.jpg|18px]] [[Thammer]]
 
*[[File:Portrait Twincruiser.jpg|18px]] [[Twincruiser]] ([[René Koiter]] and [[Michel Koiter]])
  
*[[File:Portrait Twincruiser.jpg|18px]] [[Twincruiser]] ([[René Koiter]] and [[Michel Koiter]])
Line 808: Line 762:
   
 
===Previous notable employees===
  
===Previous notable employees===
  +
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Michael Morhaime]] (strategic advisor)
 
*[[File:Metzen.jpg|18px]] [[Chris Metzen]] (vice president of creative development)
  
*[[File:Metzen.jpg|18px]] [[Chris Metzen]] (vice president of creative development)
 
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Rob Pardo]] (vice president of game design)
  
*{{RaceIcon|Human|Male}} [[Rob Pardo]] (vice president of game design)
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**{{Horde}} [[Team Horde]]
  
**{{Horde}} [[Team Horde]]
   
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==Parent companies==
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==Notes and trivia==
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*Since their beginnings as a North American company focusing primarily on the English-speaking market, Blizzard has gone on to become a "global business".<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/> As of 2014, more than half of its players are in Asia.<ref name = "BlizzardLives"/>
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The company's ownership has shifted many times over the years, through mergers, name changes or acquisitions:<ref name=Moby/>
  
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*According to ''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]'''s Senior Producer [[Yong Woo]], Blizzard employees receive some of their bonus money in "[[Blizzard Balance|Blizzard bucks]]", which can be spent on company products such as card packs.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.twitch.tv/cataclyst78|date=2014-12-13|title=Yong Woo, live on stream}}</ref>
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*{{wplink|Davidson & Associates}} <small>(1994 - 1996)</small>
  
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*{{wplink|CUC International|CUC International}} <small>(1996 - 1997)</small>
  
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*{{wplink|Cendant Software|Cendant Software}} <small>(1997 - 1998)</small>
  
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*{{wplink|Havas|Havas}} <small>(1998)</small>
  
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*{{wplink|Vivendi|Vivendi}} <small>(1998 - 2007)</small>
  
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*[[Activision Blizzard]] <small>(2007 - ''present'')</small>
  
   
 
==Gallery==
  
==Gallery==
 
;Logos
  
;Logos
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<gallery>
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<gallery mode=packed>
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Blizzard Entertainment original.gif|First logo
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Blizzard Entertainment Logo (1994).svg|First logo
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Blizzard Entertainment Logo.svg
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Blizzard Entertainment Logo (Gold).svg|Gold variant, used for ''Warcraft'' content
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Blizzard Entertainment old logo.gif|Second logo
 
Blizzard Entertainment logo.svg|SVG logo
  
Blizzard Entertainment logo.svg|SVG logo
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Blizzard Entertainment 2015 logo.svg|Current logo
 
Blizz Logo.jpg|A cinematic logo
  
Blizz Logo.jpg|A cinematic logo
 
Molten core blizzlogo.gif|[[World of Warcraft: The Molten Core|The Molten Core]]
  
Molten core blizzlogo.gif|[[World of Warcraft: The Molten Core|The Molten Core]]
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Blizzard Entertainment logo (Overwatch).svg|Logo used for ''[[Overwatch franchise|Overwatch]]'' content
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Blizzard Entertainment logo Warcraft.gif|Logo used for ''[[Warcraft]]'' and ''[[Hearthstone (game)|Hearthstone]]'' content
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Blizzard Entertainment logo BfA.png|Logo used for ''[[Battle for Azeroth]]'' content
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Blizzard Entertainment logo Heroes.gif|Logo used for ''[[Heroes of the Storm]]'' content
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Blizzard Entertainment logo Diablo.gif|Logo used for ''[[Diablo]]'' content
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Blizzard Entertainment logo StarCraft2.gif|Logo used for ''[[StarCraft]]'' content
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Blizzard Entertainment logo Destiny2.gif|Logo used for ''{{wp|Destiny 2}}'' and other generic content
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Blizzard Entertainment logo BO4.gif|Logo used for ''{{wp|Call of Duty}}'' games and other generic content
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Blizzard Frozen Logo Warcraft Movie Art.jpg|The logo in the [[Warcraft (film)|''Warcraft'' film]]
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Blizzard Frozen Logo Warcraft Movie Art2.jpg
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Blizzard Frozen Logo Warcraft Movie Art3.jpg
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Blizzard Frozen Logo Warcraft Movie Kerrigan.jpg|Kerrigan
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Blizzard Frozen Logo Warcraft Movie Arthas.jpg|Arthas
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Blizzard Frozen Logo Warcraft Movie Tracer.jpg|Tracer
 
</gallery>
  
</gallery>
   
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===Videos===
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==Videos==
 
<vplayer />
  
<vplayer />
 
{{#vlink:AHz2ky-jng8|Blizzard Retrospective}}
  
{{#vlink:AHz2ky-jng8|Blizzard Retrospective}}
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==Trivia==
  
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According to ''[[Hearthstone (game)|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.<ref>{{ref web|url=http://www.twitch.tv/cataclyst78|date=2014-12-13|title=Yong Woo, live on stream}}</ref>
  
   
 
==References==
  
==References==
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{{Reflist}}
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{{Reflist|2}}
   
 
==External links==
  
==External links==
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<!-- Please read https://wow.gamepedia.com/Wowpedia:External_links_policy before adding new links. -->
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Links that do not conform to the rules will be DELETED.
  
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Repeat violations may result in a BAN.
  
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Have a nice day. :) -->
  
 
*{{Elink|link=https://www.blizzard.com/|type=blizzard}}
  
*{{Elink|link=https://www.blizzard.com/|type=blizzard}}
 
*{{Elink|link=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_Entertainment|type=wikipedia}}
  
*{{Elink|link=http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_Entertainment|type=wikipedia}}
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{{Blizzard Entertainment}}
  
{{Blizzard Entertainment}}

Revision as of 17:30, 21 April 2021

Blizzard Entertainment
Blizzard Entertainment 2015 logo
2015 logo
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
President J. Allen Brack
(formerly Mike Morhaime)
Headquarters Irvine, California, U.S.
Number of locations 9 (studios and offices)
Products Diablo franchise
Hearthstone
Heroes of the Storm
Overwatch franchise
StarCraft franchise
Warcraft franchise
Parent Davidson & Associates
(1994-1998)
Vivendi Games
(1998-2008)
Activision Blizzard
(2008-present)
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") is a video game developer & publisher that is responsible for the Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and 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

Silicon and Synapse logo

Silicon & Synapse 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]

Chaos Studios

Chaos Studios logo

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 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 their 25th year anniversary with a video and continued to celebrate it along with the Diablo 20th anniversary at BlizzCon 2016.[13][14][15]

On October 3, 2018, Activision Blizzard announced J. Allen Brack as the new president of Blizzard Entertainment succeeding Mike Morhaime.[16] In February 2019, Blizzard underwent a round of layoffs, though announced that it would be expanding its development staff. Teams for some of its IPs, including Warcraft and Hearthstone, will be expanded.[17]

On March 7, 2019, Blizzard and GOG.com partnered to release the classic Diablo on GOG.com's platform[18] as well as Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition by March 28.[19] On June 5, 2019, Blizzard gave the OK to GOG.com to add the authorized non-canoncial expansion Hellfire which was developed by Synergistic Software to Diablo as a free add-on, due to popular demand.[20]

On January 22, 2021, Vicarious Visions is now a subsidiary of Blizzard Entertainment, from Activision.[21][22] Blizzard turned 30 years old in 2021 and celebrated it at BlizzConline with the release of Blizzard Arcade Collection.

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.[23] 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. There were also a couple of mentions of Blizzard South, which was known for the StarCraft and the Warcraft series. However, the name wasn't mentioned as much but it was used to keep confusion from Blizzard North as Blizzard South is based in Irvine, California, Blizzard's main location.

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

TeSPA partnership

Main article: Blizzard Esports

In 2013, Blizzard announced an official partnership with TeSPA to provide licensed StarCraft, Hearthstone and Heroes of the Storm in-game rewards to college gaming clubs.[24][25][26] In early 2014, TeSPA and Blizzard Entertainment hosted the $5,000 North American Collegiate Hearthstone Open series, culminating in a live grand finals event at the Twitch.tv stage at PAX East and PAX Prime.[27]

Teams

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.[28] As of November 2018, Blizzard's current development model is to effectively have one team per IP and support indefinitely. As a team grows and reaches a certain size, elements of the team will be spun off to work on a new IP. Each team consists of around 100–300 people.[29]

The list of teams of current and past include:

Culture

Main article: Service Awards

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,[34] as it and Activision continue to exist as separate entities within the Activision Blizzard umbrella.[35]

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.[36]

Published games and applications

Non-franchise games

Company Title Year Platform(s) Genre
as Silicon & Synapse RPM Racing 1991 SNES Racing game
The Lost Vikings 1992 Amiga, Amiga CD32, GBA, MS-DOS, Genesis, SNES, Windows (2014) Puzzle platform game
Rock n' Roll Racing 1993 SNES, Genesis, GBA, Windows (2014) Racing video game
as Blizzard Entertainment The Death and Return of Superman 1994 SNES, Genesis Beat 'em up
Blackthorne 1994 SNES, Sega 32X, MS-DOS, GBA, Mac OS, Windows (2013) Cinematic platformer
Justice League Task Force 1995 SNES, Genesis Fighting game
The Lost Vikings 2 1997 SNES, Saturn, PlayStation, Windows Puzzle platform game
Heroes of the Storm 2015 Microsoft Windows, macOS Team Brawler
Blizzard Arcade Collection 2021 Microsoft Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, PlayStation 4, Xbox One Racing, Cinematic platformer, Puzzle platformer

Franchises

Universe Title Year Platform(s) Genre Notes
Warcraft universe Warcraft: Orcs & Humans 1994 (original)
2019 (GOG.com) 		MS-DOS, Mac OS, PC-98 Real-time strategy
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness 1995 MS-DOS, Mac OS X, Microsoft Windows Real-time strategy
Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal 1996 Mac OS, MS-DOS, Microsoft Windows RTS expansion pack
Warcraft II: The Dark Saga 1997 Sony PlayStation, Sega Saturn Real-time strategy
Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition 1999 (original)
2019 (GOG.com) 		MS-DOS, Mac OS, Microsoft Windows Real-time strategy
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos 2002 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS Real-time strategy
Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne 2003 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS RTS expansion
World of Warcraft 2004 Microsoft Windows, macOS, (Linux via Wine or Cedega) MMORPG
World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade 2007 Expansion
World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King 2008 Expansion
World of Warcraft: Cataclysm 2010 Expansion
World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria 2012 Expansion
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft 2014 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X, iPad, Android, iPhone CCG
Hearthstone: Curse of Naxxramas 2014 CCG Adventure
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor 2014 Expansion
Hearthstone: Goblins vs Gnomes 2014 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Blackrock Mountain 2015 CCG Adventure
Hearthstone: The Grand Tournament 2015 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: The League of Explorers 2015 CCG Adventure
Hearthstone: Whispers of the Old Gods 2016 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: One Night in Karazhan 2016 CCG Expansion
World of Warcraft: Legion 2016 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Expansion
Hearthstone: Mean Streets of Gadgetzan 2016 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Journey to Un'Goro 2017 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Knights of the Frozen Throne 2017 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Kobolds & Catacombs 2017 CCG Expansion
World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth 2018 Microsoft Windows, macOS Expansion
Hearthstone: The Witchwood 2018 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: The Boomsday Project 2018 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Rastakhan's Rumble 2018 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Rise of Shadows 2019 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Saviors of Uldum 2019 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Tombs of Terror 2019 CCG Adventure
World of Warcraft: Classic 2019 Microsoft Windows, macOS Server option
Hearthstone: Descent of Dragons 2019 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Galakrond's Awakening 2020 CCG Adventure
Warcraft III: Reforged 2020 Microsoft Windows, macOS Real-time strategy Remaster of Warcraft III
Hearthstone: Ashes of Outland 2020 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Scholomance Academy 2020 CCG Expansion
Hearthstone: Madness at the Darkmoon Faire 2020 CCG Expansion
World of Warcraft: Shadowlands 2020 Microsoft Windows, macOS Expansion
Hearthstone: Darkmoon Races 2021 CCG mini-set
Hearthstone: Forged in the Barrens 2021 CCG Expansion
World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic TBA 2021 Microsoft Windows, macOS Server option
Untitled Warcraft mobile game[37] TBA Mobile platforms MMORTS[38]
StarCraft franchise StarCraft 1998 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Real-time strategy
StarCraft: Brood War 1998 Expansion
StarCraft 64 2000 Nintendo 64 Real-time strategy
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty 2010 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Real-time strategy
StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm 2013 Expansion
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void 2015 Expansion
StarCraft II: Nova Covert Ops 2016 Mission packs (1-3)
StarCraft: Remastered 2017 Microsoft Windows, macOS Real-time strategy
StarCraft II: Free to Play 2017
Diablo franchise Diablo 1996
2019 (GOG.com) 		Microsoft Windows, Mac OS, PlayStation (1998) Action role-playing, hack and slash, dark fantasy
Diablo II 2000 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Action role-playing, hack and slash
Diablo II: Lord of Destruction 2001 Microsoft Windows, Mac OS X Expansion pack
Diablo III 2012 Microsoft Windows, OS X, PlaySation 3/4 and Xbox 360/One (2013) Action role-playing, hack and slash
Diablo III: Reaper of Souls 2014 Microsoft Windows, OS X Expansion
Diablo III: Ultimate Evil Edition 2014 PlaySation 3/4, Xbox 360/One
Diablo III: Eternal Collection[39] 2018 Windows, macOS, Nintendo Switch, Xbox One, PlayStation 4
Diablo Immortal TBA Android, iOS MMOARPG
Diablo II: Resurrected TBA 2021 Microsoft Windows, macOS, consoles Action roleplaying, hack n' slash
Diablo IV TBA Microsoft Windows, macOS, consoles Action roleplaying, hack n' slash
Overwatch franchise Overwatch 2016 Microsoft Windows, macOS, Xbox One, Playstation 4 Team-based multiplayer shooter
Overwatch 2 TBA Microsoft Windows, macOS, consoles Team-based multiplayer shooter

Applications

Title Release year Platform(s) Notes
Blizzard Downloader † Windows, Mac OS Replaced / Defunct
Blizzard Launcher † 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 with the desktop app
Blizzard Mobile Authenticator 2009 iOS, Android
Windows, † Blackberry † 		Originally named Battle.net Mobile Authenticator
BlizzCon Mobile 2011 iOS, Android Originally BlizzCon Guide
WoW Mobile Armory † 2009 iOS, Android
StarCraft WCS 2013 iOS, Android Originally Blizzard WCS
Blizzard Battle.net desktop app 2013 Windows, macOS Originally named Battle.net desktop app and Blizzard desktop app
Blizzard AR Viewer † 2014 iOS, Android Defunct on iOS
WoW Legion Companion App † 2016 iOS, Android
Blizzard Battle.net Mobile app 2017 iOS, Android
Overwatch League Mobile App 2018 iOS, Android
BlizzCon TV 2018 Fire TV, Apple TV
Blizzard Esports 2018 iOS, Android
WoW Companion App 2018 iOS, Android
 † Defunct

Other

Related pen-and-paper RPG materials

Rumored games

Note: Blizzard has confirmed that they are NOT working on a StarCraft or Diablo MMORPG.[40]

Unreleased/Cancelled games

About 50% of all Blizzard games have been canceled during development.[29]

Awards

Blizzard Entertainment/Awards

Employees

Main article: Category:Blizzard Entertainment employees

Notable

Previous notable employees

Organizations

Notes and trivia

  • 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]
  • 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.[63]

Gallery

Logos

Videos

Blizzard Retrospective

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 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 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 Entertainment 2016-11-04. Celebrate 25 Years with Blizzard Entertainment. YouTube. Retrieved on 2018-05-30.
  15. ^ Blizzard 25th Anniversary and Siablo® 20th Anniversary Party at BlizzCon® 2016. Blizzard Entertainment (2016-11-06). Retrieved on 2017-11-06.
  16. ^ Activision Blizzard Names World of Warcraft® Executive Producer J. Allen Brack As New President of Blizzard Entertainment. Business Wire (2018-10-03).
  17. ^ Elizabeth Harper 2019-02-12. Activision Blizzard has record profits, so it’s cutting 8% of its staff. Retrieved on 2019-03-13.
  18. ^ Diablo Now Available on GOG.COM. Blizzard Entertainment (2019-03-07). Retrieved on 2019-06-05.
  19. ^ Warcraft: Orcs & Humans and Warcraft II Battle.net Edition Now Available on GOG.COM. Blizzard Entertainment (2019-03-28). Retrieved on 2019-06-05.
  20. ^ Release: Hellfire expansion to the original Diablo. GOG.com (2019-06-05). Retrieved on 2019-06-05.
  21. ^ a b Wesley Yin-Poole 2021-01-23. Vicarious Visions reportedly working on a Diablo 2 remake at Blizzard. Eurogamer. Retrieved on 2021-01-25.
  22. ^ a b Brendan Sinclair 2021-01-22. Vicarious Visions merged into Blizzard. GamesIndustry.biz. Retrieved on 2021-01-25.
  23. ^ Blizzard North: Condor and Diablo. Blizzard Entertainment. Archived from the original on 2002-02-22. Retrieved on 2017-11-21.
  24. ^ TeSPA and Blizzard Entertainment Unveil the Membership Milestone Program. Bussiness Wire (2014-02-07). Retrieved on 2018-08-11.
  25. ^ Steve Watts 2014-02-06. Blizzard and TeSPA Partner to Support College Gaming Groups. IGN. Retrieved on 2018-08-11.
  26. ^ Emanuel Maiberg 2014-02-08. Blizzard esports initiative will support your college gaming club. Gamespot. Retrieved on 2018-08-11.
  27. ^ Blizzard Entertainment Zeriyah 2014-07-29. North American Collegiate Hearthstone™ Open 2. Blizzard Entertainment. Retrieved on 2018-08-11.
  28. ^ Eddie Makuch 2017-08-04. Blizzard Has Multiple New IPs Incubating But Won't Rush Them Out. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2017-08-05.
  29. ^ a b Daniel Tack 2018-11-08. Our Full BlizzCon Interview With Blizzard Co-Founder Allen Adham. Game Informer. Retrieved on 2018-11-19.
  30. ^ BlizzCon 2017 - World of Warcraft What's Next panel
  31. ^ Blizzard Entertainment PezRadar 2020-10-12. Former Diablo III CM Vaeflare returns to the Diablo Legacy team as a 3D artist. Archived from the original on 2020-10-17.
  32. ^ Eddie Makuch 2015-11-04. Blizzard Looking to Revive These Classic Games. GameSpot. Retrieved on 2017-04-01.
  33. ^ BlizzCon 2018: Rhykker interviews Allen Adham – PC and Console Games in Development. Blizzplanet (2018-11-17). Retrieved on 2018-11-21.
  34. ^ Ordinn 2007-12-02. 0. Activision Blizzard FAQ. WoW General Discussion Forum. Retrieved on 2007-12-02.
  35. ^ Activision Blizzard FAQ.
  36. ^ Worldwide Invitation 2008.
  37. ^ Blizzard’s Unannounced Warcraft Mobile Game. Blizzplanet (2017-06-16). Retrieved on 2017-06-19.
  38. ^ Breaking: Blizzard Unannounced Game is a MMO RTS Mobile Game. Blizzplanet (2017-09-27). Retrieved on 2017-10-06.
  39. ^ Diablo III Nintendo Switch Trailer
  40. ^ Blizzard freezes non-WOW MMOG rumors. GameSpot (2006-06-14). Retrieved on 2013-11-13.
  41. ^ a b 2015-08-12, GAMESCOM 2015: BLIZZARD WILL 'CONSIDER WARCRAFT' RTS ONCE STARCRAFT 2 IS DONE. IGN, retrieved on 2015-08-12
  42. ^ November, 2016, Blizzard Working on New First Person Game. Gamerant, retrieved on 2016-12-01
  43. ^ Warcraft IV Confirmed, Starcraft II to be split into a Trilogy. NG4 (2008-04-19). Retrieved on 2013-05-29.
  44. ^ Warcraft IV somewhat confirmed at BlizzCon. SK Gaming (2011-10-11). Retrieved on 2013-05-29.
  45. ^ Eddie Makuch 2014-08-15. Blizzard Has Considered WoW 2 -- What Would You Like to See?. Gamespot.
  46. ^ a b Jason Schreier 2019-06-06. Sources: Blizzard Cancels StarCraft First-Person Shooter To Focus On Diablo 4 And Overwatch 2. Kotaku. Retrieved on 2019-06-08.
  47. ^ A brief history of Blizzard's cancelled and unreleased games. Polygon (2014-09-23). Retrieved on 2014-09-24.
  48. ^ 2017-05-11, BlizzCon 2017: How Overwatch rose from Titan’s failure. Blizzard Watch, accessed on 2017-11-05
  49. ^ a b c D.I.C.E. '08: Blizzard talks about blowing up. GameSpot (2008-02-07). Retrieved on 2013-05-29.
  50. ^ Blizzard North considered making Diablo Junior for the Game Boy Color. Joystiq (2012-10-12). Retrieved on 2013-05-29.
  51. ^ a b Blizzard Entertainment Inc.. Moby Games. Retrieved on 2013-05-28.
  52. ^ Pax Imperia II. JudgeHype. Retrieved on 2013-05-28.
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