In 2021 I started working on a book about a corporate takeover.
Nearly four years, 350 interviews, and one $69 billion acquisition later, PLAY NICE: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment is out today.
I hope you enjoy reading it as much as I enjoyed writing it. pic.twitter.com/A5UmWJvL7d
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) October 8, 2024
Jason Schreier, a Bloomberg reporter, has written a book that captures the history of Blizzard Entertainment, one of the most iconic video game companies. The book, which launches today in the UK and North America, is based on interviews with hundreds of current and former Blizzard staff members. Schreier initially planned to focus on Blizzard’s recent history, particularly the corporate takeover by Activision and the increasing role it played in the company’s operations.
Ahead of tomorrow's release of PLAY NICE, I wrote an article for The Atlantic about Blizzard Entertainment, World of Warcraft, and the curse of success: https://t.co/uM9xyFsuX4
— Jason Schreier (@jasonschreier) October 7, 2024
However, as he interviewed people who were at Blizzard in the 1990s, he realized there were many fascinating stories and anecdotes that had never been told before. This led him to expand the book to cover the entire 33-year saga of Blizzard. Understanding Blizzard’s roots is crucial for grasping the impact of recent corporate changes and cultural issues, according to Schreier.
Spoke with @jasonschreier about his book on Blizzard “Play Nice”, and the 350 interviews he did to build an exhaustive portrait of an entertainment titan https://t.co/JvGIm1CSju
— Gene Park (@GenePark) October 7, 2024
“From a business standpoint, it’s impossible to understand why it matters so much that Activision interfered without understanding where Blizzard came from in the first place,” he explains.
Blizzard’s untold corporate and cultural history
“Also, from a cultural standpoint, it’s impossible to understand how we got to the point where the State of California sued Blizzard for sexual harassment and discrimination without looking at the rise of that ‘boys club’ culture in the 90s.”
I really enjoyed @jasonschreier's new book "Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment," and was so glad that he wrote an original essay for us pegged to its release 🤝https://t.co/onT1fkHFmM
— Damon Beres (@dlberes) October 7, 2024
The State of California lawsuit and its public fallout helped encourage some of the people Schreier spoke with to come forward and share their stories.
Before the lawsuit, it was difficult to get people to talk about misconduct at Blizzard. In 2018, when Blizzard fired Ben Kilgore, who was set up as Mike Morhaime’s successor, Schreier heard rumors of misconduct but no one would talk. The lawsuit changed that, as many women realized they weren’t alone and felt more comfortable sharing their experiences.
Schreier also wanted to clear the record about some of the inaccuracies in the lawsuit, such as the misreporting on “The Cosby Suite.” He states, “The reality is a lot of women at Blizzard had to deal with micro-aggressions, misconduct, and harassment regularly. But it’s important to balance clearing the record and not trivializing the very real suffering and problems that the culture caused for women.”
The book provides a comprehensive view of Blizzard’s history and cultural shifts, both good and bad. By exploring the origins and subsequent changes, Schreier’s work is essential for understanding where Blizzard stands today.
Noah Nguyen is a multi-talented developer who brings a unique perspective to his craft. Initially a creative writing professor, he turned to Dev work for the ability to work remotely. He now lives in Seattle, spending time hiking and drinking craft beer with his fiancee.
