Blizzard Entertainment stands as a titan among video game companies, boasting unparalleled recognition in the industry. With iconic franchises like Warcraft, Starcraft, and Diablo under its belt, Blizzard has carved out a formidable legacy in PC gaming. Yet, recent years have seen the company’s reputation marred by allegations of sexual misconduct and turbulent game launches.
Delving into the comprehensive narrative behind Blizzard’s 33-year journey is veteran games journalist Jason Schreier’s upcoming book, “Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future Of Blizzard Entertainment.” Drawing from interviews with over 300 past and present members of the Blizzard team spanning the company’s entire history, Schreier sheds light on its evolution.
From its humble beginnings crafting lesser-known console games to the glory days of Warcraft, Starcraft, and Diablo in the ’90s and 2000s, and onward through its merger with Activision in 2008 and subsequent acquisition by Microsoft, the book offers an in-depth exploration.
The title, “Play Nice,” serves as a nod to one of Blizzard’s fundamental corporate values: “Play Nice; Play Fair.” Scheduled for release on October 8, the book is available for preorder in hardcover format for $30 on Amazon.
Preordering ensures Amazon’s preorder price guarantee, allowing customers to secure the lowest price and defer payment until shipment. While the book’s price has not yet been discounted, it’s common for Amazon to reduce prices ahead of publication. Additionally, a Kindle edition is available for $15.
Schreier, known for his extensive coverage of the video game industry through outlets like Kotaku and Bloomberg since 2011, brings his investigative prowess to “Play Nice.” This marks his third book exploring the inner workings of the gaming world.
His previous works, “Blood, Sweat, and Pixels,” which delves into the development stories of games like Stardew Valley and Dragon Age: Inquisition, and “Press Reset,” which highlights labor issues within game development, offer further insight into the industry.
For those interested in delving deeper into video game history, “Blood, Sweat, and Pixels” is part of Amazon’s buy one, get one 50% off promotion, alongside other notable titles like Lost In Cult’s “A Handheld History,” “Ask Iwata” edited by Hobonichi, and “The Game Console 2.0” by Evan Amos.
