More On Blizzard Departures, Arrivals, Action Figures 16
Thanks to GameSpy for their interview with Bill Roper, quizzing the ex-Blizzard veteran further on his recent departure from the company. He confirms: "..the uncertainly surrounding [Blizzard's] future in regards to who was going to own us understandably caused a lot of speculation and uncertainty. Our lack of participation in the process made it difficult for us to provide any insight to the people we worked with." In related news, Blizzard has announced that former Diablo II lead programmer Rick Seis will now lead Blizzard North, who "..will be streamlining their teams into one core group in order to focus.. on one key project." Finally, GameSpot has photos of the new Warcraft III action figures, including the death knight Prince Arthas, the night elf archer Shandris Feathermoon, and the dread lord Tichondrius.
Quick! check the pigeon's entrails! (Score:4, Interesting)
Sure Blizzard was never much of an innovater, but they are none the less a very strong developer that certainly know how to manipulate the hype machine as well as or better than they write code.
News like this, on the advent of the company branching off into new waters (starcraft: ghost, and world of war craft) starts to make me wonder whats going on over there. I would hate to see them turn into another "me too" developer and get absorbed by EA or Faux Atari.