Reflecting on Activision Blizzard in 2023: An Evolved Gaming Experience

Introduction

Activision Blizzard, one of the leading names in the gaming industry, has had an incredibly eventful year in 2023. From exciting game launches and anniversary celebrations to joining forces with Team Xbox, there's been no shortage of milestones for the company. As we enter 2024, let's take a moment to reflect on the achievements and highlights of Activision Blizzard's year to remember.

Joining Team Xbox

One of the biggest news stories of the year was Activision Blizzard, Blizzard, and King becoming part of Microsoft Gaming. This monumental partnership has opened up new possibilities and opportunities for both organizations to revolutionize the future of gaming. The collaboration between Activision Blizzard and Team Xbox is something fans have eagerly been waiting for. Who wouldn't want to see a fusion of classics like "Minesweeper" and "Call of Duty"? This exciting new adventure promises to bring games to more people in more places, shaping the gaming landscape for years to come.

Activision Publishing's Active Year

The publishing arm of Activision Blizzard, Activision Publishing, had a jam-packed year in 2023. They introduced "Crash Team Rumble," a thrilling 4v4 online multiplayer game developed by Toys for Bob and featuring beloved characters from the Crash Bandicoot universe. Additionally, the iconic "Tony Hawk's Pro Skater 1+2" collection received a new lease on life with a release on Steam, delighting a new generation of players. However, the crown jewel of the year was undoubtedly "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III." The highly anticipated installment in the action franchise made its debut in November and quickly garnered immense popularity. With record-breaking player engagement and accolades for its addictive gameplay, "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III" solidified its place as a fan favorite.

New Content and Milestones

• Introduced six seasons of "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare II" and multiple seasons of "Crash Team Rumble."
• Hosted special events and updates to commemorate milestones such as the 25th anniversary of "Spyro," the 20th anniversary of "Call of Duty," 10 million units sold of "Spyro Reignited Trilogy," and 10 million units sold of "Sekiro: Shadows Die Twice."
• Collaborated with renowned artists to create original songs, like 21 Savage's "Call Me Revenge" and Peso Pluma's "Peligro," both featured in "Call of Duty: Modern Warfare III."
• Established Zombies as the most engaging third mode in "Modern Warfare" history.

A Big Year for Blizzard Entertainment

Blizzard Entertainment also had a standout year in 2023. The highly anticipated "Diablo IV" made its debut, raking in a staggering $666 million in sales within the first five days. The game quickly became the fastest-selling Blizzard title of all time, capturing the attention of millions of players. In addition to "Diablo IV," Blizzard rolled out "Warcraft Rumble," a mobile action strategy game set in the "Warcraft" universe, which went on to become the number one mobile strategy game in November.

Highlights from Blizzard's Year

• "Diablo IV" achieved record-breaking sales, with millions of hours played and billions of monsters killed by players.
• Continued support and updates for "Diablo III," "Diablo Immortal," and "World of Warcraft: Dragonflight."
• Unveiled the three expansions for "World of Warcraft: Worldsoul Saga": "The War Within," "Midnight," and "The Last Titan."
• Introduced new features and heroes in "Overwatch 2" with special collaborations with John Cena and LE SSERAFIM.
• Gained recognition with nominations and awards, including BAFTA nominations and a Clio Entertainment Award for Game Publisher of the Year.

Celebrating King's Milestones

King, the studio behind beloved titles like "Candy Crush" and "Farm Heroes," had plenty to celebrate in 2023. The company reached impressive milestones, such as generating over $20 billion in revenue and surpassing 15,000 levels in "Candy Crush." They also engaged in exciting partnerships with renowned names like the Jonas Brothers, the World Surf League, Barbie, and fashion designer Christian Cowan.

Championing Social Causes

Activision Blizzard's commitment to making a positive impact was evident through their efforts in 2023. The Call of Duty Endowment reached an incredible milestone, placing 125,000 military veterans in high-quality jobs over the past 14 years. They also hosted charitable events like the "Loot for Good" in-game charity event and the C.O.D.E. Bowl, which crowned the Royal Canadian Air Force as the surprising champions. Esports also played a significant role, with record-breaking viewership for the Call of Duty League and successful fundraising for the Make-A-Wish Foundation through the Overwatch World Cup.

Putting People First

Activision Blizzard focused on fostering a diverse and inclusive work environment in 2023. They shared their progress in their ESG report, highlighting the quadrupling of women in game development leadership roles since 2016. The company also increased the number of women and non-binary employees and established global employee network groups, including the Multicultural Employee Network. Celebrating family and personal milestones was also a priority, with 240 babies born to team members and support provided for surrogacy, adoption, and infertility treatments.

Recognizing Achievements

Activision Blizzard took the time to honor the individuals and teams behind their remarkable creations. Some notable acknowledgments include nominations at The Game Awards and BAFTA, winning the Clio Entertainment Award for Game Publisher of the Year, and being recognized as one of America's Greenest Companies by Newsweek. Their commitment to diversity, equity, and inclusion was further validated by top marks in As You Sow's report, surpassing other prominent companies in the communications services category.

Final Thoughts

With over four decades of experience, Activision Blizzard has continuously delivered epic gaming experiences and captivated players' imaginations. Their achievements in 2023 were just a glimpse of what's to come in 2024. As they continue to expand their iconic universes and reach even more players, the future of gaming looks incredibly promising. So gear up, prepare for new adventures, and keep gaming. We'll see you in the new year!