Jason Schreier’s new book “Play Nice” takes a deep dive into the history of Blizzard Entertainment. The book spans over three decades, from the company’s humble beginnings to its transformation into a gaming giant. Schreier interviewed over 350 people for the book, including current and former Blizzard employees.
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
He uncovers fascinating stories and anecdotes that have never been told before. One surprising revelation is that Blizzard briefly considered making a Star Wars RTS game before creating StarCraft. Another amusing anecdote involves a player’s wife blaming Warcraft 2 for their marital troubles in 1996.
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
Blizzard played the recording on the office intercom repeatedly. Schreier identifies the release of World of Warcraft in 2004 as a key turning point for Blizzard. The game’s massive success transformed the company from hundreds of employees to thousands almost overnight.
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
This rapid growth set Blizzard on a new path and changed the company culture.
Blizzard’s evolution and untold stories
The book also delves into some of Blizzard’s canceled projects, like Avalon.
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
This game was Blizzard’s take on Minecraft with a Warcraft spin. Schreier believes it sounded like a cool concept that unfortunately never materialized. Another surprising story involves Jay Wilson, the game director of Diablo 3.
Wilson had an emotional breakdown after the game’s release due to the intense pressure and criticism. Schreier provides an empathetic portrayal of Wilson’s experience. “Play Nice” also explores the corporate drama between Activision and Blizzard after their merger.
Schreier uncovers many surprising details about the tensions and power struggles between the two companies. Overall, “Play Nice” offers a captivating look at the evolution of Blizzard Entertainment. Schreier’s extensive research and interviews provide new insights and stories that will fascinate any Blizzard fan or gaming enthusiast.
The book’s release is especially timely given Microsoft’s recent acquisition of Activision Blizzard, which marks the start of a new chapter for the storied game studio.
