Who was Blizzard owned by?
Blizzard Entertainment, a renowned American video game developer and publisher, has had a tumultuous ownership history. In this article, we will delve into the various companies that have owned Blizzard over the years.
Early Years
Blizzard Entertainment was founded in 1991 as Silicon & Synapse, a small video game development company. In 1994, the company changed its name to Blizzard Entertainment and released its first successful game, Warcraft: Orcs & Humans.
Activision Merger
In 2008, Activision merged with Vivendi Games, creating Activision Blizzard, a massive video game conglomerate. This merger made Activision Blizzard the second-largest video game publisher in the world. As a result, Blizzard Entertainment became a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard.
Microsoft Acquisition
In January 2022, Microsoft announced its intent to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion in an all-cash deal. The acquisition was completed in February 2023, making Microsoft the new owner of Blizzard Entertainment.
Microsoft’s Acquisition Plans
Under Microsoft’s ownership, Blizzard Entertainment is expected to benefit from the company’s extensive resources and expertise. Microsoft has stated that it will continue to support Blizzard’s existing games and franchises, including World of Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo.
Recent Developments
In June 2023, Microsoft announced that it had completed its acquisition of Activision Blizzard, marking a significant milestone in the company’s history. The acquisition has sparked excitement among gamers and industry observers, who are eager to see what the future holds for Blizzard Entertainment.
Key Points
• Activision Blizzard was formed in 2008 through the merger of Activision and Vivendi Games.
• Microsoft acquired Activision Blizzard in January 2022 for $68.7 billion.
• Blizzard Entertainment is a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard and is now owned by Microsoft.
• Microsoft has stated that it will continue to support Blizzard’s existing games and franchises.
Timeline of Ownership
| Year | Company |
|---|---|
| 1991-1994 | Silicon & Synapse (founded by Mike Morhaime, Frank Pearce, and Allen Adham) |
| 1994-2008 | Blizzard Entertainment (independent company) |
| 2008-2022 | Activision Blizzard (merger of Activision and Vivendi Games) |
| 2022-present | Microsoft (acquired Activision Blizzard) |
Conclusion
Blizzard Entertainment has had a complex ownership history, with the company being owned by various companies over the years. From its humble beginnings as Silicon & Synapse to its current status as a subsidiary of Microsoft, Blizzard has evolved into one of the most successful and beloved video game developers in the world. As Microsoft continues to support Blizzard’s existing games and franchises, fans can expect exciting new developments in the world of Blizzard Entertainment.