Episode 40: Activision Blizzard

Ben & David cover the creation of the gaming world’s
equivalent of the 70’s rock supergroup: the 2008 merger of
Blizzard and Activision. We tell the story from the Blizzard
perspective, tracing the history of one of the most innovative
companies in the business from humble beginnings at the hands of
UCLA undergrads, to surviving multiple acquisition rollups
(including at one point being owned by the French national water
company), to joining ultimately with Activision to form the
largest gaming company in the world, all while inventing multiple
game genres that define the industry as we know it today. 


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Topics covered include: 

Blizzard’s founding in 1991 as "Silicon & Synapse” by
recent UCLA grads Allen Adham, Frank Pearce, and Mike Morhaime

The team’s first projects making ports for other games,
including Battle Chess on the Commodore 64

Early success on the Super Nintendo with Rock & Roll
Racing and The Lost Vikings

Origin of the Real-Time Strategy game genre (“RTS”) and
Blizzard’s fist mega-hit, Warcraft 

Blizzard’s crazy corporate ownership changes over the years

Development of further legendary game franchises like Diablo
and Starcraft, along with sequels to Warcraft and the rise of the
rise of player modding

Emergence of the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre
(“MOBA”) from the Warcraft III modding community, and its growth
into one of the biggest sectors in the games and esports
industries today

Blizzard’s role in developing the concept of online gaming,
from early hacks to play against friends to World of Warcraft and
Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (“MMORPG’s”)

The 2008 merger with storied gaming company Activision 

Growth and success since the merger, including the launch of
new game franchises Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm and
Overwatch



  The Carve Out: 


Ben:  Dick Costolo on Vanity Fair’s  Inside the
Hive  podcast

David: Nellie and Joe's 100% Natural Key Lime Juice (tip:
 buy in bulk from Walmart/Jet)