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Blizzard says Microsoft hasn't changed how it works following acquisition

Blizzard says Microsoft hasn't changed how it works following acquisition

World of Warcraft maker Blizzard is seemingly much the same after Microsoft's $68.7 billion acquisition.

That's according to the MMO's executive producer and VP, Holly Longdale, who told VGC that being part of the Xbox giant has been a "helpful" experience.

Microsoft closed its record-breaking acquisition of Activision Blizzard in October 2023 after announcing it in January 2022.

"If anything, it’s just been helpful,” Longdale said.

“We got time with Helen Chang from Mojang, and we were sharing information, so it’s almost as if we have access to what worked for them. We got to speak to the Elder Scrolls Online team and share what we’re up to and what’s been working, it’s almost like we get a benefit.

“There’s no one asking us to do anything. World of Warcraft is doing very well and they’re very proud of what it’s been able to accomplish, so it’s almost like just let it be, and let it keep being awesome. They’ve been tremendously supportive and it’s like ‘let Blizzard be Blizzard’.”


PCGamesInsider Contributing Editor

Alex Calvin is a freelance journalist who writes about the business of games. He started out at UK trade paper MCV in 2013 and left as deputy editor over three years later. In June 2017, he joined Steel Media as the editor for new site PCGamesInsider.biz. In October 2019 he left this full-time position at the company but still contributes to the site on a daily basis. He has also written for GamesIndustry.biz, VGC, Games London, The Observer/Guardian and Esquire UK.