What would have happened in a parallel world where EA had acquired Call of Duty or Guitar Hero?

There is no need to regret the decisions that are not made, but sometimes it is inevitable to think about the “what ifs.” During an interview on the Grit podcast, it was revealed that Electronic Arts (EA) had the opportunity to acquire significant intellectual properties from Activision, such as Guitar Hero, Call of Duty, and the Blizzard studio. However, the company decided not to proceed with these acquisitions, a decision that could have radically changed the landscape of the video game industry. Bing Gordon, former creative director of EA, emphasized that the company was a pioneer in recognizing the potential of these franchises and let them slip away, allowing Activision to consolidate its position as one of the leading publishers in the sector.

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A missed opportunity for EA

The former CEO of Activision Blizzard, Bobby Kotick, was praised for his ability to foster and maintain creative teams, which resulted in the successful development of these IPs over time. Kotick has been a controversial figure in the industry, but his approach to talent management at Activision has received recognition, contributing to the growth of the mentioned franchises and strengthening Activision’s position in the competitive video game market.

At another point in the conversation, Kotick also spoke out against the film adaptation of Warcraft, calling it a distraction that consumed valuable resources from Blizzard. According to Kotick, this led to a delay in the production of expansions and patches for their games, affecting the quality of the experience for players. It was one of the worst movies I have ever seen, he commented, hinting that the focus on the movie harmed the creative efforts within the studio.

These revelations have reignited the debate about strategic decisions in the video game industry and how missed opportunities can define the future of crucial companies in this field. The story of EA and Activision is a reminder that, in the dynamic world of video games, every decision matters and can make a significant difference.

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