Blizzard’s Dark Past Exposed in New Book Play Nice

Few video game companies hold such a personal connection to fans as Blizzard. Now, imagine how deep that connection runs if you worked there. For the many thousands of staff who sweated to build World of Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft, Hearthstone, and Overwatch, this company was their dream job, their social network, their life.

A Look into Blizzard’s History

Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier details Blizzard’s history in his latest book, Play Nice. Through interviews with hundreds of Blizzard staff past and present, the book charts the company’s entire history, right up to the layoffs faced by staff this year following Xbox’s buyout.

Schreier initially planned to cover only the modern Blizzard history but decided to expand the book to cover the entire 33-year saga. He realized that it’s impossible to understand Blizzard without going back to the beginning and seeing where they came from, both from a cultural standpoint and a business standpoint.

The State of California Lawsuit

The State of California lawsuit and its public nature helped encourage some of the people Schreier spoke with to come forward and share their stories. The lawsuit made a lot more people feel comfortable sharing their stories in public and openly.

However, Schreier also notes that the lawsuit had its own share of problems. It was sloppy and misleading, and it’s worth noting that it was settled two years later for $55m. Despite this, the lawsuit captures a broader truth, which is that a lot of women at Blizzard had to deal with micro-aggressions and misconduct and harassment.

A Culture of Harassment

Schreier’s book reveals a culture of harassment at Blizzard, where women had to deal with micro-aggressions and misconduct. The book also notes that some of Blizzard’s highest-ranking developers and executives were swingers and would invite colleagues to sex parties. This culture created a sense of a culture where the personal and professional lines are totally blurred.

Looking to the Future

Schreier’s book is a must-read for anyone interested in the gaming industry. It provides a detailed look into Blizzard’s history and culture, and it raises important questions about the industry as a whole. While Schre