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HotBloodedGaming,
GamerZines]
Activision Blizzard came to fruition as the result of a merger between Activision and Vivendi Games back in 2007 (with the deal officially closing in 2008). Since the merger was announced, Blizzard fans have been concerned about the business mentality of the developer now that it is associated with Activision.
The most obvious example of this supposed mentality shift is in regards to StarCraft II. As it stands, StarCraft II will be made up of three individual games, with each game release being associated with an original campaign (one for each race–Terran, Protoss and Zerg). Many fans believe this was not Blizzard’s original plan for the sequel, but is instead the result of pressure from Activision.
However, Michael Ryder of Blizzard Entertainment is determined to clear the air of these rumors. The VP of International Operations said the following,
“Since we had our merger with Activision, it hasn’t changed anything at Blizzard. We make the same decisions in the same way we always have, and the relationship with Activision hasn’t changed that.
For Blizzard, our culture is extremely important. It is actually the basis for how we do what we do. We have a really strong culture that has a number of values that we share with our offices around the world. That culture, those values, binds us together and it defines the way we want to behave.”
What do you think are the long-term effects of the Activision Blizzard merger? Has Blizzard been corrupted by Activision? Or is Ryder being sincere in his explanation?
Posts
I say there has to be some influence from Activision, I swear I've read it somewhere, even if it was from here, maybe it was false, but I'm sure that they do have at least some say so in what Blizzard does.
ReplyDeleteNow the whole 3 part 2 part expansion makes more sense, I mean it surely is a lot to do but I figure once they have the engine work done they will be easier off with the expansions, who knows if it will just be campaign or if we'll actually see new stuff in every next expansion, or if the next two expansions will be at the same time, that would suck, also change in game play such as new extras per expansion would sort of ruin the whole story, but it could be part of the story.
Money is of course behind everything and more expansions means more money for them especially with the main engine work already laid out and "finished".
Like said, I would hate to see blizzard be pimped whipped by activision, and only time can tell, but who really can tell : (