Who Owns World of Warcraft?
World of Warcraft, one of the most popular massively multiplayer online role-playing games (MMORPGs) in the world, has a complex ownership history. But, in a nutshell, Blizzard Entertainment, a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, owns World of Warcraft.
The Founding Years
World of Warcraft was first announced in 2000 by Blizzard Entertainment, a company founded in 1991 by Mike Morhaime, Frank Pearce, and Allen Adham. Blizzard was previously known for its successful PC games, such as Warcraft II and StarCraft. Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, the first game in the Warcraft series, was released in 1994 and became a huge success.
Acquisition by Vivendi Universal
In 1998, Blizzard Entertainment was acquired by Vivendi Universal, a French multinational media and entertainment conglomerate. This acquisition led to the formation of Vivendi Universal Games, a division of Vivendi Universal focused on game development and publishing.
Blizzard Entertainment as a Subsidiary
Under Vivendi Universal’s ownership, Blizzard Entertainment continued to develop and publish games, including the highly successful Diablo II and Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos. In 2003, Vivendi Universal merged with Seagram Company Ltd. to form Vivendi, a multinational media and entertainment corporation.
Acquisition by Activision
In 2008, Activision, an American video game developer and publisher, acquired Vivendi Games, the gaming division of Vivendi, in a deal worth $5.9 billion. The acquisition included Blizzard Entertainment, Vivendi Games’ most successful subsidiary.
Blizzard Entertainment as a Subsidiary of Activision Blizzard
Following the acquisition, Blizzard Entertainment became a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, a new company formed by the merger of Activision and Vivendi Games. Today, Activision Blizzard is one of the largest and most successful video game companies in the world, with a portfolio of iconic games including Call of Duty, StarCraft, and World of Warcraft.
Current Ownership Structure
So, who owns World of Warcraft? Here’s a simplified ownership structure:
- Activision Blizzard (a publicly traded company)
- Blizzard Entertainment (a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard)
- World of Warcraft (a massively multiplayer online role-playing game developed and published by Blizzard Entertainment)
- Blizzard Entertainment (a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard)
FAQs
Q: Is World of Warcraft a publicly traded company?
A: No, World of Warcraft is not a publicly traded company. Blizzard Entertainment, its developer and publisher, is a subsidiary of Activision Blizzard, a publicly traded company.
Q: Who is the founder of Blizzard Entertainment?
A: The founders of Blizzard Entertainment are Mike Morhaime, Frank Pearce, and Allen Adham.
Q: Who acquired Blizzard Entertainment in 1998?
A: Blizzard Entertainment was acquired by Vivendi Universal in 1998.
Q: Who is the parent company of Activision Blizzard?
A: Activision Blizzard is a publicly traded company listed on the NASDAQ stock exchange under the ticker symbol ATVI.
Q: What is the revenue generated by World of Warcraft?
A: The exact revenue generated by World of Warcraft is not publicly disclosed. However, it is one of the highest-grossing MMORPGs in the world, with millions of subscribers and significant revenue generated from subscription fees, in-game purchases, and advertising.
Q: What is the player base of World of Warcraft?
A: The player base of World of Warcraft is estimated to be around 100 million registered accounts, with 10 million subscribers in 2020.
Q: Who is the current CEO of Activision Blizzard?
A: The current CEO of Activision Blizzard is Bobby Kotick.
Q: Who is the current CEO of Blizzard Entertainment?
A: The current CEO of Blizzard Entertainment is J. Allen Brack.
Q: Is World of Warcraft available on multiple platforms?
A: Yes, World of Warcraft is available on multiple platforms, including Microsoft Windows, macOS, and macOS High Sierra.
Here is a summary of the ownership structure:
| Owner | Type | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Activision Blizzard | Publicly traded company | Parent company of Blizzard Entertainment |
| Blizzard Entertainment | Subsidiary | Developer and publisher of World of Warcraft |
| Vivendi Universal | Former owner | Acquired Blizzard Entertainment in 1998 |
| Vivendi | Former owner | Merged with Seagram Company Ltd. in 2008 |
| Activision | Former owner | Acquired Vivendi Games in 2008 |