Blizzard Confirms Co-Founder's Departure

Thanks to GameSpot for its article confirming the resignation of Blizzard co-founder and vice president Allen Adham. This move comes after earlier high-profile departures from Blizzard in 2003, but a spokesperson "denied it was related to Vivendi's recent reaffirmation of ownership of the developer, as some have speculated.", but rather due to the "cumulative effects of 'working the long hours and doing the game crunch for many years'" GameSpy has further information, noting that Adham "...started coding games while studying at UCLA. The success of his first two games, Gunslinger and Demon's Forge, encouraged him to strike out with a new game company, Silicon & Synapse, which would eventually evolve into Blizzard in 1994." According to the spokesperson, Adham "plans to go back to school and move into the area of financial investment."

Comments

Another one!?

[Leffe]

Are there anyone left at Blizzard? It seems like they are leaving every month or so.

I, for one, would like to work at blizzard... for a while... damn, professional programming is boring. I can understand them, even if they are not coders.

blizzaaaarrd!!!!

[hytmal]

oh man, ouch, blizzard, ouch. im in the same frat that this guy was in in college (presumably UCLA). i hope maybe he can still get me a job there :-\... -- david

Re:blizzaaaarrd!!!!

[LameAim]

He'll keep doing consultant jobs for Blizzard, so don't give your hopes up... xD

blizzard going down?

[UID500]

i wonder if this is because WOW is going to be really bad and they want to wash thier hands of it? i mean, a WOW alpha already leaked and there are ppl that have created a hacked server for the alpha already. it doesnt look good...

Re:blizzard going down?

[Rallion]

Um...I fail to see your point, really. The quality of service of any hacked service is going to be terrible compared to Blizzard's. Absolutely terrible. They have no reason to lose sleep over it. World of Warcraft is going to make about a majillion dollars anyway.

Back to school for Financial Investment

[kninja]

Sounds like he wants to be a venture capitalist. Coming from a gaming background, he would be most qualified to fund similar startups. It will be interesting to keep an eye on him and see what happens.

Ususally founders get out when the growth curve of the company stops being exponential.

Re:Back to school for Financial Investment

[rhetoric]

Sounds like he wants to be a venture capitalist. Coming from a gaming background, he would be most qualified to fund similar startups. It will be interesting to keep an eye on him and see what happens.

Ususally founders get out when the growth curve of the company stops being exponential. Yep, sounds like he's made enough money that he feels comfortable he can live off it, and the work involved in Blizzard just isn't worth his time anymore. Would definetely be interesting to see if he does end up funding "similar startups." Nice point.

For the MMORPG players:

[Cosmik]

Can I have his stuff?

I, personally would like to wish him success

[revolvement]

In whatever field of work he moves in to next. He's led Blizzard this far(From what could be described as a "small dev house") to the still-reigning(IMHO) king of the RTS games. I tip my glass to you, sir.

What does Vivendi see

[MBraynard]

Vivendi is a media company. When they buy something/start something, what they see is a 'franchise' or a 'brand' which commands loyalty from customers.

With a software company, even one with three outstanding franchises, however, the real assets are the leadership and the creative individual ('people'). Game consumers are very weary compared to other media consumers - you can get $8 for a lousy Spiderman 2, but you won't get $50 for a lousy Warcraft 4.

I wonder what Vivendi sees when they look at Blizzard. In their annual reports, do they discuss the awesome franchises of Diablo, Starcraft, and Warcraft? Or do they talk about the brilliant employees whom have a curiculum vitae (sp?) that includes making those franchises?

Re:What does Vivendi see

[dedazo]

The people who run Vivendi are probably the same as PHB's everywhere - they think software developers and artists are commodities that can be replaced as required. They "stick it" to someone who wants a raise or whatever and replace them with some clueless n00b who can't cut it. Then they'll fire that guy and try another one. And another one. Then the game tanks and they scratch their heads, blame it on the weather or something and move on. I've seen it many times.

Re:What does Vivendi see

[*weasel]

the sad truth is they will probably make back their investment by pillaging the good name that Blizzard has built over the last decade.

long before people write off *craft and diablo(x)entirely, they'll have made a net profit on the deal, and it won't be a 'bad' thing for them financially, when they scrap the studios.

Financial management

[Anonymous Coward]

He'll finally figure out how many workers to have mining gold and chopping wood.

Re:Financial management

[MMaestro]

Spawn more Overlords. - Zerg voice when you try to go over your supply limit.. Usually when you try to build too many drones.

Prediction

[ReyTFox]

Blizzard will become a shell of its former self, produce at most two or three more titles and then be shut down.

That seems to be par for the course when founders leave, anyhow.

Argh Blizzard

[superpulpsicle]

Are we ever going to see another decent diablo sequel from this company? Looks like people are leaving left and right in this shady economy.

Not that 800x600 diablo II was that bad. But like capcom when the 2D-fighter team left, they haven't made another 2D-fighting game since. Marvel vs. Capcom 2 was the last. Diablo II is probably done with too.

Re:Argh Blizzard

[DrDoombender]

I really don't think that will be the case. Even if they don't make another Diablo, its likely that we'll see something that is along the lines of Diablo. One thing I've learned about Blizzard is that they try not to milk their franchises with alot of crappy sequels. I mean, do you realize the number of people not only crying out for another Diablo, but another Star Craft? lots of people (and SC: Ghost does not count). In some ways I wonder if Blizzard is concerned that they could not do the story justice by making another Diablo or Starcraft sequel. I mean think about the pressure. Lots of companies faulter in that area *cough* episode 1 *hack* Legacy of Kain.

In either case, don't count Blizzard out. I think we shouldn't start worrying until they start sucking. You shouldn't be worried anyway, because there will always be other companies to replace Blizzard. I mean, I like Blizzard and all, but software companies come and go. I was a fan of Westwood and Black Isle., but I understand that companies die, get bought, or whatever. Great games are still made, and that's what should count.

Re:Argh Blizzard

[HiddenPooh]

I don't think things are looking good for quality sequels to any of the major Blizzard franchises now. I am worried that their creative leadership has gone and that Vivendi will be pushing them to "consoleify" any future sequels to their big games.