Jason Schreier, a prominent American video game journalist and author, has released his third book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment. The book offers a comprehensive account of Blizzard Entertainment's journey, from its humble beginnings in 1991 to becoming a global gaming powerhouse, and the challenges that led to its eventual decline.
Play Nice traces Blizzard's early days when it was founded by a group of UCLA electrical engineering students and evolved into a company generating billions of dollars in revenue annually. Schreier conducted over 350 interviews to uncover the inner workings and dramatic conflicts that shaped the company over the last 30 years. The book captures both the triumphs and controversies that have defined Blizzard's history, providing readers with an insider's look at one of the most influential gaming companies in the world.
Blizzard Entertainment, once synonymous with perfection in the video game industry, was known for creating beloved franchises like Diablo and World of Warcraft. The company built a reputation for prioritizing "the joy of gaming" above all else, attracting a massive fanbase.
However, cracks began to appear in 2013 when Blizzard canceled its next-generation MMORPG project, Titan. This cancellation gave Activision CEO Bobby Kotick the leverage to begin undermining Blizzard’s autonomy. Activision's influence led to internal strife, mass layoffs, and the release of subpar products like Warcraft III: Reforged. Further damaging Blizzard's reputation were workplace controversies, including allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. In 2022, the beleaguered company was acquired by Microsoft in a $68.7 billion deal.
Schreier's Play Nice presents a detailed account of Blizzard’s past and speculates on its future. After more than three years of research and writing, the book is set to be released in English on October 8, the same day Blizzard's Diablo IV expansion Vessel of Hatred hits the market. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon, with the Kindle edition priced at $14.99 and the hardcover at $27.
Sayart / Jack Lee, wangjb77@gmail.com
Courtesy of Amazon
Jason Schreier, a prominent American video game journalist and author, has released his third book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment. The book offers a comprehensive account of Blizzard Entertainment's journey, from its humble beginnings in 1991 to becoming a global gaming powerhouse, and the challenges that led to its eventual decline.
Play Nice traces Blizzard's early days when it was founded by a group of UCLA electrical engineering students and evolved into a company generating billions of dollars in revenue annually. Schreier conducted over 350 interviews to uncover the inner workings and dramatic conflicts that shaped the company over the last 30 years. The book captures both the triumphs and controversies that have defined Blizzard's history, providing readers with an insider's look at one of the most influential gaming companies in the world.
Blizzard Entertainment, once synonymous with perfection in the video game industry, was known for creating beloved franchises like Diablo and World of Warcraft. The company built a reputation for prioritizing "the joy of gaming" above all else, attracting a massive fanbase.
However, cracks began to appear in 2013 when Blizzard canceled its next-generation MMORPG project, Titan. This cancellation gave Activision CEO Bobby Kotick the leverage to begin undermining Blizzard’s autonomy. Activision's influence led to internal strife, mass layoffs, and the release of subpar products like Warcraft III: Reforged. Further damaging Blizzard's reputation were workplace controversies, including allegations of sexual harassment and gender discrimination. In 2022, the beleaguered company was acquired by Microsoft in a $68.7 billion deal.
Schreier's Play Nice presents a detailed account of Blizzard’s past and speculates on its future. After more than three years of research and writing, the book is set to be released in English on October 8, the same day Blizzard's Diablo IV expansion Vessel of Hatred hits the market. The book is available for pre-order on Amazon, with the Kindle edition priced at $14.99 and the hardcover at $27.
