What Did Blizzard Used to Be Called?
Blizzard Entertainment is a renowned video game development and publishing company, behind iconic franchises such as Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch. Few people know that the company has undergone significant changes throughout its history, including changes to its name. Let’s take a journey back in time to explore Blizzard’s past and uncover its previous names.
Founding and Early Years (1991-1994)
Blizzard was founded in 1991 by three University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA) graduates: Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham, and Frank Pearce. The company was initially named Silicon & Synapse, a name that reflects the duo’s focus on creating innovative and cutting-edge games. During this period, Blizzard developed several successful games, including Rock ‘n’ Roll Racing and The Lost Vikings.
A Name Change (1994)
In 1994, Blizzard dropped its original name, Silicon & Synapse, and adopted a new identity: Chaos Studios. This change coincided with the release of Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, a real-time strategy game that would become a massive success and lay the foundation for the Warcraft franchise.
Another Name Change (1994-1998)
Just a year after adopting the name Chaos Studios, Blizzard announced another name change. Chaos Studios merged with Blizzard Entertainment, a company founded by Chris Metzen, Frank Pearce, and Tom Chilton. Blizzard Entertainment became the new parent company, and Blizzard retained its subsidiary status. This merger would ultimately lead to the rise of Blizzard as we know it today.
Stabilization and Success (1998-Present)
Since the merger with Blizzard Entertainment, the company has experienced significant growth and success. Blizzard has released numerous critically acclaimed games, including Diablo III, StarCraft II, and World of Warcraft, which has become one of the most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) of all time. Today, Blizzard is widely recognized as one of the most successful and influential game development companies in the world.
Table: Blizzard’s Previous Names
| Year | Name |
|---|---|
| 1991-1994 | Silicon & Synapse |
| 1994-1995 | Chaos Studios |
| 1995-present | Blizzard Entertainment |
Key Takeaways:
- Blizzard was initially founded as Silicon & Synapse in 1991.
- The company changed its name to Chaos Studios in 1994.
- Blizzard merged with Blizzard Entertainment in 1994, resulting in the current company name.
- Blizzard has been a subsidiary of Blizzard Entertainment since 1995.
- The company has released numerous successful games, including Warcraft, StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch.
In conclusion, Blizzard’s journey to becoming the gaming giant we know today has been marked by significant changes, including name changes. From its humble beginnings as Silicon & Synapse to its current status as Blizzard Entertainment, the company has consistently delivered innovative and engaging games to gamers around the world.