Is Blizzard a Fortune 500 Company?
Blizzard Entertainment is one of the most renowned game development and publishing companies in the world. As of 2021, Blizzard’s parent company, Activision Blizzard, is ranked #151 on the Fortune 500 list, with a revenue of over $15.7 billion. But, the question remains, is Blizzard a Fortune 500 company itself?
Short Answer:
Yes, Blizzard is part of Activision Blizzard, which is a Fortune 500 company. Blizzard’s parent company is a publicly traded corporation, making it a Fortune 500 company by default.
Background:
Blizzard Entertainment was founded in 1991 by three University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) students: Mike Morhaime, Frank Pearce, and Allen Adham. The company initially developed and published games for PC and consoles, but later expanded its operations to include mobile devices and digital distribution platforms.
Key Milestones:
- 1994: Blizzard develops and publishes its first game, RPM Racing.
- 1994: Blizzard releases its second game, The Lost Vikings.
- 1998: Blizzard develops and publishes Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos.
- 2004: Blizzard releases World of Warcraft.
- 2009: Activision Blizzard merges with Vivendi Games.
Revenue:
Blizzard’s revenue is largely dependent on the success of its flagship game, World of Warcraft. As of 2021, Blizzard’s parent company, Activision Blizzard, reported revenue of over $15.7 billion. Here’s a breakdown of Activision Blizzard’s revenue by segment:
| Segment | Revenue (2021) |
|---|---|
| Call of Duty | $5.3 billion |
| Candy Crush | $4.3 billion |
| Overwatch | $1.3 billion |
| Warcraft | $1.1 billion |
| Other | $1.2 billion |
Ranks in the Fortune 500 List:
Activision Blizzard has been consistently ranking high in the Fortune 500 list over the years. Here’s a breakdown of their ranking:
| Year | Ranking |
|---|---|
| 2018 | #159 |
| 2019 | #158 |
| 2020 | #161 |
| 2021 | #151 |
Conclusion:
In conclusion, Blizzard Entertainment is not a standalone Fortune 500 company. Instead, it is part of Activision Blizzard, a publicly traded corporation that ranks #151 on the Fortune 500 list. Blizzard’s parent company’s revenue is largely driven by its various franchises, including Call of Duty, Candy Crush, and World of Warcraft.