Activision
Activision, officially known as Activision Blizzard, Inc., is an American video game holding company based in Santa Monica, California. It was founded on October 1, 1979, by David Crane, Larry Kaplan, Alan Miller, and Bob Whitehead, all of whom were former developers at Atari. Activision is one of the oldest continuously operating video game publishers in the world.
History
- Formation: Activision was formed as a response to the restrictive employment conditions at Atari, where developers were not credited for their work. The founders aimed to create a company where game designers could be recognized and compensated for their contributions.
- Early Success: The company's first games, including Pitfall!, Kaboom!, and River Raid, were highly successful on the Atari 2600. This success established Activision as a major player in the video game industry.
- 1980s Market Crash: Like many companies in the industry, Activision was affected by the video game crash of 1983. However, it managed to survive by diversifying into the computer gaming market and producing games for the Commodore 64 and other platforms.
- Acquisition and Expansion: In 1985, Activision was acquired by Mediagenic (formerly known as The Video Game Company). It later regained its independence in 1990 and re-entered the console market with the release of games for the Nintendo Entertainment System (NES).
- Merger with Blizzard: In 2008, Activision merged with Vivendi Games, forming Activision Blizzard. This merger combined Activision's expertise in console gaming with Blizzard's dominance in the PC gaming and online gaming sectors.
- Recent Developments: Activision has continued to grow through acquisitions like King (makers of Candy Crush Saga) in 2016, expanding its reach into mobile gaming. In 2022, Microsoft announced plans to acquire Activision Blizzard for $68.7 billion, which would be one of the largest deals in the gaming industry.
Key Franchises
- Call of Duty - A first-person shooter franchise known for its annual releases.
- Skylanders - A series combining video games with collectible toys.
- World of Warcraft - A massively multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) from Blizzard.
- Diablo - A series of action role-playing games also from Blizzard.
Corporate Structure
Activision Blizzard is structured into several divisions:
- Activision Publishing: Focuses on console games.
- Blizzard Entertainment: Known for its PC and online games.
- King: Specializes in mobile gaming.
- Major League Gaming (MLG): Esports organization acquired to enhance their esports presence.
Controversies and Challenges
Activision Blizzard has faced numerous controversies, particularly around:
- Workplace culture, with allegations of sexual harassment and discrimination leading to legal actions and significant media attention.
- Leadership changes, including the resignation of high-profile executives.
- Community backlash over game development decisions, pricing, and corporate strategies.
External Links
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