Blizzard's Secrets: Unseen Projects and Surprising Revelations
Blizzard Entertainment has been a hot topic in the gaming world for the past few years. From workplace controversies to a massive acquisition by Microsoft, the company has seen its fair share of headlines. Among all this, a new book promises to unveil some untold stories from Blizzard's history. "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment" by Jason Schreier is set to reveal intriguing details about the developers behind popular games like Warcraft and Overwatch. As we await its release, let's dive into some of the juicy tidbits already shared by Schreier.
Overwatch 2 Development Drama
Overwatch 2 faced significant challenges during its development. Bobby Kotick, the former CEO, wanted to hire a second team to speed up the process. However, this idea met resistance from key figures like Jeff Kaplan and Chacko Sonny. They believed that adding more people could lead to inefficiencies and disrupt the team's culture.
Key Points:
- Overwatch 1's success led to high expectations for its sequel.
- Team 4 was overwhelmed with maintaining OW1 and developing OW2.
- Kaplan and Sonny opposed Kotick's plan to expand the team.
The Call of Duty RTS That Never Was
Blizzard once considered venturing into the real-time strategy (RTS) genre with a Call of Duty game. Tim Morten, a production director, pitched the idea, but it didn't gain traction. The company was hesitant to return to RTS games after the mixed reception of Warcraft III Reforged.
Highlights:
- Blizzard explored various RTS concepts, including Warcraft 4.
- Call of Duty RTS was one of the surprising pitches.
- Warcraft III Reforged's failure dampened hopes for new RTS projects.
Diablo III's Expansion Woes
Diablo III was supposed to have a second expansion, but it never materialized. The removal of the Auction House left the game without a revenue stream, prompting Blizzard to shift focus to Diablo IV. This decision highlights the financial pressures faced by the company.
The Overwatch Netflix Show That Could Have Been
Fans have long hoped for an Overwatch animated series. At one point, Blizzard was in talks with Netflix to create such a show. However, legal disputes between Activision Blizzard and Netflix over a poached CFO ended those plans.
Blizzard's Internal Decisions
One of the more controversial moments in Blizzard's history was the suspension of Hearthstone player Blitzchung. Contrary to popular belief, this decision was made internally and not influenced by Chinese market pressures. It was a move that sparked protests and debates within the gaming community.
As Blizzard continues to evolve with new projects like Overwatch 2's seasonal content and Diablo IV's expansions, the company's past remains a topic of interest. For those eager to learn more about Blizzard's journey, "Play Nice" promises to shed light on the company's inner workings. Stay tuned for more updates and consider joining Streamers Visuals to stay informed about game news and explore exciting designs like emotes, sub badges, and overlays.
