Blizzard is to rename the studio Vicarious Visions -apkrig
Almost every time a game studio is bought by a major publisher or console manufacturer, press releases make strong statements about maintaining independence and self-identity. This was also the case with the Vicarious Visions studio, which became part of Blizzard this year, where it traveled directly from Activision, which merged with the studio in 2005. The team took care of the Crash Bandicoot remaster, followed by an equally successful remake of the first two parts. Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater series and subsequently Vicarious Visions was entrusted with the work on the recently released remaster of Diablo II. However, according to sources from Polygon magazine, the statements about preserving autonomy are to be taken over and the studio is to be more deeply integrated into the structure of Blizzard with the new name. According to the mentioned magazine, the topic was to be discussed at a meeting of developers, and in addition to a possible name change, there was a closer confirmation that Vicarious Visions should take care of Blizzard’s game support in the future.
“Information about the planned changes was discussed during a meeting of developers and city representatives at the town hall. The new name has not yet been announced, “says Polygon, referring to resources from individual employees. However, some of them speculate that the studio will be named simply Blizzard Albany after the name of the owner, respectively. the place where the studio operates. After all, it would be nothing new for Blizzard to identify its entities in this way, such as Blizzard Austin in Texas. The involvement of the former director of Vicarious Visions, Jen Oneal, in the management of Blizzard, where she holds the position of vice president and could serve as a friendly link between the headquarters and the newly named studio, could also indicate a closer connection.
However, critical remarks have also been made by the parties about the non-transparency of management plans and rapid change, which can potentially raise unnecessary questions among fans and journalists.
As for the statements of individual employees, according to Polygon, no one expressed a big surprise. The described changes were said to have been hanging in the air for some time and everything was only a matter of time. However, critical remarks have also been made by the parties about the non-transparency of management plans and rapid change, which can potentially raise unnecessary questions among fans and journalists. In addition, such important issues were to be discussed at a time when the developers were to meet in a friendly spirit and celebrate Halloween, so the information was passed on to them literally when they were scurrying around in masks and enjoying the festive festivities. On the other hand, according to their anonymous statements for Polygon, employees do not expect that there will actually be any major changes in the operation of the studio, and the fate associated with Blizzard’s game support in the future will not seem draconian.
Finally, it is worth recalling that the Vicarious Visions studio was founded 30 years ago in the aforementioned city of Albany. Its founders, who currently run Velan Studios, sold it to Activision in 2015 and left the company a year later. In addition to Crash, Tony Hawk or the remaster of Diablo II, they also have Spider-Man and Star Wars Jedi Knight and Jedi Academy on their account. In the future, developers should put their hand to work on the Overwatch 2 and Diablo IV projects, but with regard to the above, this will be every other game from Blizzard in the future.
