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“Diablo III,” completes the Blizzard trifecta. Within a relatively short time frame, the company will have updates to all of its major franchises, something sure to create a revenue avalanche for the company and productivity slowdowns throughout the country—which makes Blizzard’s pending merger with Activision (nasdaq: ATVI - news - people ) even more intriguing.
Activision-Blizzard, as the company will be called, will become the industry’s largest publisher, displacing Electronic Arts (nasdaq: ERTS - news - people ) and leaving companies like Take-Two Interactive Software (nasdaq: TTWO - news - people ) and THQ (nasdaq: THQI - news - people ) as distant also-rans. The cash infusion of a new “Starcraft” and “Diablo” titles will only widen the gap.
Blizzard’s Perfect Storm - Forbes.com
My arch-nemesis Chris Morris debuts as a Forbes columnist today. His premiere column (lamely named “Game On!”) discusses why Diablo III is a big deal.
(No, it’s not the rumored carpal tunnel-free gameplay).
Instead, Blizzard understands how to compete in different markets, has a high quality bar, and makes compelling games. It’s one of the few (like Rockstar) that can go for years without updating its franchises.
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