Six Months Later
Six months have passed since Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, and the impact on the iconic World of Warcraft franchise is becoming clearer. In an interview with Video Games Chronicle, Holly Longdale, executive producer and vice president at World of Warcraft, provided insights into the post-acquisition environment.
Longdale revealed that Microsoft has largely allowed Blizzard to maintain its autonomy. "There's no one asking us to do anything," she said. "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."
Longdale also highlighted the benefits of being part of the Microsoft family, mentioning opportunities for communication and information sharing with other Microsoft-owned studios. She mentioned interactions with teams from Mojang and Elder Scrolls Online, suggesting that they could learn from each other's experiences.
Despite Longdale's positive perspective, the acquisition has not been without its challenges. Microsoft's gaming division, including Activision Blizzard, underwent significant layoffs in January, affecting 1,900 employees and resulting in the cancellation of projects such as Odyssey.
The War Within." Although it may not match the impact of previous expansions, such as Dragonflight, anticipation remains high for its potential.