As someone who has spent countless hours immersed in the virtual worlds created by Blizzard Entertainment, I can confidently say that Jason Schreier’s latest book, “Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment,” is a must-read for any gaming enthusiast. With over 350 interviews under his belt, Schreier paints a vivid picture of the legendary developer behind World of Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft, and Overwatch.
Fun fact: It’s been reported that Blizzard Entertainment was actually asked to leave a hotel once, not because they were rowdy or disruptive, but because some of their staff inadvertently caused a flood!
That’s just one of many fascinating stories from Bloomberg reporter and author Jason Schreier’s new book, Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment.
Drawing from interviews with more than 350 people, Schreier narrates the tale of the revered game developer behind World of Warcraft (WoW), Diablo, StarCraft, and Overwatch. This narrative delves into the team’s modest beginnings, their extensive portfolio of games, their merger with Activision, and their acquisition by Microsoft in October 2023.
Before its public launch, I was fortunate enough to preview “Play Nice”. Generally speaking, it’s a book I strongly suggest for anyone intrigued about why certain events occur at prominent video game publishers. If you’re an ardent fan of Blizzard’s games, this captivating read becomes a must-purchase.
Blizzard Entertainment has a history that defines genres
In his publishing career, this marks Schreier’s third book. Prior to this, he authored “Blood, Sweat, and Pixels” and “Press Reset,” where both works delved into various teams within the gaming sector.
Shreier skillfully demonstrates his expertise and familiarity with video games, coupled with his writing abilities, in Play Nice. Unlike a simple news report, this piece isn’t just a single account; instead, it thrives as an intricate analysis meticulously tracing the evolution of its subject matter over time.
I do want to set some expectations, as you shouldn’t expect wild reveal after wild reveal. It’s a book firmly focused on telling the stories of people and situations, not an exhaustive list of upcoming and unannounced games or shocking scoops.
This doesn’t imply there are no significant news items. On the contrary, there are undeniably intriguing matters that will capture attention, for instance, the rumor about Blizzard Entertainment reviving StarCraft as a shooter game before its official release. However, these aren’t the primary subject matter. Instead, “Play Nice” unfolds a narrative, one that encourages careful scrutiny and gradually resolves numerous minor questions, which, when accumulated, create a comprehensive picture by the end.
It’s easy to offer a critique of a company from the outside when problems show themselves, but more insidious issues bubbling beneath the surface can be just as damaging.
This book uncovers the dynamics between individuals (and those who clashed), along with additional insights, such as the ambition of ex-Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick to recruit numerous new developers to expedite the release of Overwatch 2.
If you’re someone who’s paid close attention to the saga of Activision Blizzard over the years, there are a couple of particular chapters that feel like the section of a history book where you see red arrows on a map with “Factors leading to this war” written to the side.
Curious about the power dynamics between Activision and Blizzard within the company, I never had a clear understanding of when and how Bobby Kotick, a figure often shrouded in controversy, began exerting direct control over Blizzard. However, this book provides significant insights into those matters, disclosing relationships (both amicable and strained), as well as other intriguing details such as Kotick’s intention to recruit hundreds of new developers to accelerate the release of Overwatch 2.
In the end, I found the complexity of this book to be its most appealing aspect. Schreier excels in posing intriguing questions, and the solutions he uncovers are frequently complex. Instead of jumping to easy conclusions like blaming a single villain, the truth can often be a tangled web, and that’s precisely what Play Nice delves into as it explores the core conflict between Activision and Blizzard.
If you’re curious about the specifics behind how events unfolded at Blizzard, I strongly suggest checking out this book.
On October 8, 2024, you’ll find “Play Nice: The Evolution, Decline, and Prospects of Blizzard Entertainment” in stores, with pre-orders already being accepted.
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2024-10-01 19:09