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Acquired - A Podcast About Technology Acquisitions & IPOs: Episode 40: Activision Blizzard

 
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Content provided by Best Professional Development, Self Improvement & Startup Podcasts - 7 Per week. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Best Professional Development, Self Improvement & Startup Podcasts - 7 Per week or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Published on 13 Jul 2017. Ben & David cover the creation of the gaming world’s equivalent of the 70’s rock supergroup: the 2008 merger of Blizzard and Activision. We tell the story from the Blizzard perspective, tracing the history of one of the most innovative companies in the business from humble beginnings at the hands of UCLA undergrads, to surviving multiple acquisition rollups (including at one point being owned by the French national water company), to joining ultimately with Activision to form the largest gaming company in the world, all while inventing multiple game genres that define the industry as we know it today. Click here to take the 2017 Acquired Survey. It takes 5-10 minutes, and you may win a pair of AirPods (woo!) Topics covered include: * Blizzard’s founding in 1991 as "Silicon & Synapse” by recent UCLA grads Allen Adham, Frank Pearce, and Mike Morhaime * The team’s first projects making ports for other games, including Battle Chess on the Commodore 64 * Early success on the Super Nintendo with Rock & Roll Racing and The Lost Vikings * Origin of the Real-Time Strategy game genre (“RTS”) and Blizzard’s fist mega-hit, Warcraft * Blizzard’s crazy corporate ownership changes over the years * Development of further legendary game franchises like Diablo and Starcraft, along with sequels to Warcraft and the rise of the rise of player modding * Emergence of the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre (“MOBA”) from the Warcraft III modding community, and its growth into one of the biggest sectors in the games and esports industries today * Blizzard’s role in developing the concept of online gaming, from early hacks to play against friends to World of Warcraft and Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (“MMORPG’s”) * The 2008 merger with storied gaming company Activision * Growth and success since the merger, including the launch of new game franchises Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm and Overwatch The Carve Out: * Ben: Dick Costolo on Vanity Fair’s Inside the Hive podcast * David: Nellie and Joe's 100% Natural Key Lime Juice (tip: buy in bulk from Walmart/Jet) Sponsor: * Thanks to Silicon Valley Bank for sponsoring this episode. If you'd like to learn more or start a banking relationship, you can get in touch with Shai Goldman here.
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252 episodes

Artwork
iconShare
 

Archived series ("HTTP Redirect" status)

Replaced by: Best Professional Development, Self Improvement & Startup Podcasts - 7 Per week

When? This feed was archived on March 13, 2018 00:34 (6y ago). Last successful fetch was on March 12, 2018 07:42 (6y ago)

Why? HTTP Redirect status. The feed permanently redirected to another series.

What now? If you were subscribed to this series when it was replaced, you will now be subscribed to the replacement series. This series will no longer be checked for updates. If you believe this to be in error, please check if the publisher's feed link below is valid and contact support to request the feed be restored or if you have any other concerns about this.

Manage episode 191703338 series 1507865
Content provided by Best Professional Development, Self Improvement & Startup Podcasts - 7 Per week. All podcast content including episodes, graphics, and podcast descriptions are uploaded and provided directly by Best Professional Development, Self Improvement & Startup Podcasts - 7 Per week or their podcast platform partner. If you believe someone is using your copyrighted work without your permission, you can follow the process outlined here https://player.fm/legal.
Published on 13 Jul 2017. Ben & David cover the creation of the gaming world’s equivalent of the 70’s rock supergroup: the 2008 merger of Blizzard and Activision. We tell the story from the Blizzard perspective, tracing the history of one of the most innovative companies in the business from humble beginnings at the hands of UCLA undergrads, to surviving multiple acquisition rollups (including at one point being owned by the French national water company), to joining ultimately with Activision to form the largest gaming company in the world, all while inventing multiple game genres that define the industry as we know it today. Click here to take the 2017 Acquired Survey. It takes 5-10 minutes, and you may win a pair of AirPods (woo!) Topics covered include: * Blizzard’s founding in 1991 as "Silicon & Synapse” by recent UCLA grads Allen Adham, Frank Pearce, and Mike Morhaime * The team’s first projects making ports for other games, including Battle Chess on the Commodore 64 * Early success on the Super Nintendo with Rock & Roll Racing and The Lost Vikings * Origin of the Real-Time Strategy game genre (“RTS”) and Blizzard’s fist mega-hit, Warcraft * Blizzard’s crazy corporate ownership changes over the years * Development of further legendary game franchises like Diablo and Starcraft, along with sequels to Warcraft and the rise of the rise of player modding * Emergence of the Multiplayer Online Battle Arena genre (“MOBA”) from the Warcraft III modding community, and its growth into one of the biggest sectors in the games and esports industries today * Blizzard’s role in developing the concept of online gaming, from early hacks to play against friends to World of Warcraft and Massively Multiplayer Online Role-Playing Games (“MMORPG’s”) * The 2008 merger with storied gaming company Activision * Growth and success since the merger, including the launch of new game franchises Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm and Overwatch The Carve Out: * Ben: Dick Costolo on Vanity Fair’s Inside the Hive podcast * David: Nellie and Joe's 100% Natural Key Lime Juice (tip: buy in bulk from Walmart/Jet) Sponsor: * Thanks to Silicon Valley Bank for sponsoring this episode. If you'd like to learn more or start a banking relationship, you can get in touch with Shai Goldman here.
  continue reading

252 episodes

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