Renowned Bloomberg journalist Jason Schreier is well-known for his in-depth research on game companies. His books raise issues about employee abuse, harassment, and poor decision-making, leading to ill-fated game launches.
After his previous successful books, Schreier announced his latest work, "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment." This announcement comes at a crucial time, with Blizzard undergoing significant changes due to the Microsoft acquisition, recent layoffs, and project cancellations. Even as Microsoft reportedly plans to maintain its acquired studios as multiplatform entities, the fate of Blizzard remains uncertain.
The book highlights Blizzard's unique position in the business world, being not just a major player in the gaming industry but an exceptional entity across all sectors. What was started by two UCLA students became an empire with thousands of employees and millions of fans. With a 5 billion-dollar cultural phenomenon under its belt, Blizzard stands out as a beloved and successful company with a dedicated fan base attending annual conventions in California.
The recent turn of events within the company prompted Schreier to explore the company's story. The idea emerged in 2018, spurred by the sudden resignation of CEO Mike Morhaime, along with reports on increased Activision's involvement in Blizzard's workings. The momentum became especially obvious after the 2021 lawsuit against Blizzard for sexual discrimination and misconduct. Schreier emphasized that the book delves into business and culture, unveiling boardroom drama and the struggles of creative collaboration.
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Addressing the recent mass layoffs, Schreier revealed plans to rewrite the book's ending to incorporate these events. While he had heard rumors of impending layoffs, the extent of the cuts, especially in development teams working on projects like Diablo and Overwatch, was unexpected.
Schreier explores the complicated connection between Activision and Blizzard. With Bobby Kotick taking over as CEO of Activision Blizzard and Morhaime heading Blizzard, the 2008 merger signaled a change in the company's dynamics, resulting in a change in the company's dynamics. Activision's growing sway over Blizzard over the years resulted in a conflict between consistency and originality.
The book claims to answer all of the most important questions regarding the history, changes, and success of Blizzard, as well as Kotick's reasons for leaving and Morhaime's exit. It reveals the true narratives behind titles like "Overwatch 2," "Heroes of the Storm," and "Hearthstone," exploring the extent to which Blizzard's problems were self-inflicted and the extent to which outside forces forced them.
The book closely examines "Project Titan," its failure, and how it turned into "Overwatch." Additionally, recent technical problems with the now-canceled Blizzard survival game, "Odyssey," are detailed in a separate Bloomberg article, providing readers with a thorough understanding of Blizzard's inner workings and the experiences of its employees.
In conclusion, Schreier's upcoming book is expected to be essential reading for both gamers and business enthusiasts. "Play Nice" is set to be released on October 8, 2024. Readers in America can purchase their copy from Amazon and Barnes & Noble. The hardback version is priced at $30 on Amazon, while the Kindle version is available for $14.99.
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