About the book
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND AN NPR BEST BOOK OF 2024
From a New York Times bestselling author and investigative journalist comes The Social Network for the video game industry: a riveting examination of Blizzard Entertainment's rise and shocking downfall—\"A fast paced thrill ride, perfect for anyone who has ever played a video game\" (Ben Mezrich).
For video game fans, the name Blizzard Entertainment was once synonymous with perfection. The renowned company behind classics like Diablo and World of Warcraft was known to celebrate the joy of gaming over all else. What was once two UCLA students' simple mission — to make games they wanted to play — launched an empire with thousands of employees, millions of fans, and billions of dollars.
But when Blizzard cancelled a buzzy project in 2013, it gave Bobby Kotick, the infamous CEO of corporate parent Activision, the excuse he needed to start cracking down on Blizzard's proud autonomy. Activision began invading Blizzard from the inside. Glitchy products, PR disasters, mass layoffs, and a staggering lawsuit marred the company's reputation and led to its ultimate reckoning.
Based on firsthand interviews with more than 300 current and former employees, Play Nice chronicles the creativity, frustration, beauty, and betrayal across the epic 33-year saga of Blizzard Entertainment, showing us what it really means to \"bleed Blizzard blue.\" Full of colorful personalities and dramatic twists, this is the story of what happens when the ruthless pursuit of profit meets artistic idealism.
Editions of Play Nice
- Hardcover
- ISBN 9781538725429
- EBook
- ISBN 9781538725443
Read an Excerpt
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND AN NPR BEST BOOK OF 2024
From a New York Times bestselling author and investigative journalist comes The Social Network for the video game industry: a riveting examination of Blizzard Entertainment's rise and shocking downfall—\"A fast paced thrill ride, perfect for anyone who has ever played a video game\" (Ben Mezrich).
For video game fans, the name Blizzard Entertainment was once synonymous with perfection. The renowned company behind classics like Diablo and World of Warcraft was known to celebrate the joy of gaming over all else. What was once two UCLA students' simple mission — to make games they wanted to play — launched an empire with thousands of employees, millions of fans, and billions of dollars.
But when Blizzard cancelled a buzzy project in 2013, it gave Bobby Kotick, the infamous CEO of corporate parent Activision, the excuse he needed to start cracking down on Blizzard's proud autonomy. Activision began invading Blizzard from the inside. Glitchy products, PR disasters, mass layoffs, and a staggering lawsuit marred the company's reputation and led to its ultimate reckoning.
Based on firsthand interviews with more than 300 current and former employees, Play Nice chronicles the creativity, frustration, beauty, and betrayal across the epic 33-year saga of Blizzard Entertainment, showing us what it really means to \"bleed Blizzard blue.\" Full of colorful personalities and dramatic twists, this is the story of what happens when the ruthless pursuit of profit meets artistic idealism.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Play Nice about?
A NEW YORK TIMES BESTSELLER AND AN NPR BEST BOOK OF 2024
From a New York Times bestselling author and investigative journalist comes The Social Network for the video game industry: a riveting examination of Blizzard Entertainment's rise and shocking downfall—\"A fast paced thrill ride, perfect for anyone who has ever played a video game\" (Ben Mezrich).
For video game fans, the name Blizzard Entertainment was once synonymous with perfection. The renowned company behind classics like Diablo and World of Warcraft was known to celebrate the joy of gaming over all else. What was once two UCLA students' simple mission — to make games they wanted to play — launched an empire with thousands of employees, millions of fans, and billions of dollars.
But when Blizzard cancelled a buzzy project in 2013, it gave Bobby Kotick, the infamous CEO of corporate parent Activision, the excuse he needed to start cracking down on Blizzard's proud autonomy. Activision began invading Blizzard from the inside. Glitchy products, PR disasters, mass layoffs, and a staggering lawsuit marred the company's reputation and led to its ultimate reckoning.
Based on firsthand interviews with more than 300 current and former employees, Play Nice chronicles the creativity, frustration, beauty, and betrayal across the epic 33-year saga of Blizzard Entertainment, showing us what it really means to \"bleed Blizzard blue.\" Full of colorful personalities and dramatic twists, this is the story of what happens when the ruthless pursuit of profit meets artistic idealism.
What core themes, tropes, or subjects are explored in Play Nice?
Economics, Finance, Business and Management > Industry and industrial studies > Media, entertainment, information and communication industries
Where can I read a sample of Play Nice?
You can read an official preview of the few pages here https://www.book2look.com/book/9781538725429
Who is/are the Author/s of the book Play Nice?
Jason Schreier
What are the ISBN numbers for the physical and digital editions?
Play Nice is available as hardcover(ISBN 9781538725429) and ebook(ISBN 9781538725443)
Where can I buy Play Nice online or support local independent bookshops?
You can buy Play Nice from below
Where can I buy Play Nice?