Book description
New York Times bestselling author and the gaming industry's preeminent investigative journalist Jason Schreier examines three decades of ups and downs at Blizzard Entertainment leading up to a hostile corporate takeover and a sexual misconduct scandal that put the legendary developer in a world of (Warcraft) trouble. For video game fans, the name Blizzard Entertainment was once synonymous with perfection. The renowned company behind classics like Diablo and World of Warcraft was known to celebrate the joy of gaming over all else. What was once two UCLA students' simple mission -- to make games they wanted to play -- launched an empire with thousands of employees, millions of fans, and billions of dollars. But when Blizzard cancelled a buzzy project in 2013, it gave Bobby Kotick, the infamous CEO of corporate parent Activision, the excuse he needed to start cracking down on Blizzard's proud autonomy. Led by executives from McKinsey and Procter & Gamble, Activision began invading Blizzard from the inside. Glitchy products, PR disasters, and mass layoffs followed, marring the company's once pristine image. Then, in 2021, a staggering sexual misconduct and discrimination lawsuit against the company triggered a widespread reckoning and a shocking $69 billion acquisition. Based on firsthand interviews with more than 300 current and former employees, PLAY NICE chronicles the creativity, frustration, beauty, and betrayal across the epic 33-year saga of Blizzard Entertainment. From previously unrevealed stories of Blizzard's early culture, including fist fights and a hotel ban, to the full story of Titan, Blizzard's most high-profile canceled project, and the behind-the-scenes saga of how Blizzard executives battled their Activision overlords tooth and nail, this book explores the delight and despair of what it really means to "bleed Blizzard blue." Full of colorful personalities and dramatic twists, PLAY NICE is The Social Network for the video game industry.
About the Author
Jason Schreier is the New York Times bestselling author of Press Reset and Blood, Sweat, and Pixels and a reporter at Bloomberg News, where he covers the video game industry. He lives in Westchester, New York with his wife and two children.
Morbid Angel
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True Sweetness
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Pepper Mouse
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Hen Skittle
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Mud Eye
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Poppy Coffee
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Hog Butcher
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Achilles Mountain
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CloudFrenzy
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57 Pixels
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Chocolate Thunder
I'm exploring new genres and authors I wouldn't have considered otherwise. I'm amazed at how this app has made reading a seamless part of my life.
Free Ham
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Referee
This app has turned long waits into exciting opportunities to dive into a new story. This app has rekindled my passion for storytelling in the most convenient way. ListenBook's versatile features have made my audiobook experience more enjoyable than ever. ListenBook has become my gateway to new worlds, allowing me to explore stories, ideas, and knowledge.
Purity
The statistics feature on ListenBook helps me track my audiobook consumption β a fantastic way to measure my progress. The ListenBook app has become an indispensable part of my daily routine, helping me learn and relax simultaneously. I'm thrilled that ListenBook offers both basic and advanced features to cater to all types of users.
ThoughtTraveler
This app's convenience has turned my exercise sessions into enlightening moments. I'm addicted to this app's ability to seamlessly blend books into my life. Efficiency meets audiobooks β this app's functionality is a true triumph. Looping playback and shuffle features keep my audiobook sessions engaging and fresh.
Tabasco Dracula
I appreciate the option to listen to samples before committing to a book. This app is a gift for book lovers who struggle to find reading time. Say goodbye to monotony β this app's diverse format compatibility and intuitive controls have turned every moment into a thrilling audiobook experience. π±π The auto-rewind feature after interruptions is a small thing that makes a big difference. Adjusting the tone of the voice is an innovative feature that allows for a personalized listening experience.
Green Scavenger
The ListenBook app has made my daily routines more enriching, allowing me to learn while on the go. With ListenBook, I can immerse myself in captivating stories and enriching knowledge, all in one app. Noise reduction on ListenBook Pro is a game-changer. I can enjoy clear recordings. Adjusting the tone of the voice is a unique feature that adds a personalized touch to the listening experience. A functional audiobook. It kept me entertained, but I wasnβt blown away. The narratorβs performance was competent, though some emotional scenes fell a bit flat.
Low Menace
ListenBook's unlimited length of audiobooks with the Pro version is a fantastic value for avid listeners. ListenBook Pro's noise reduction feature is a true savior for immersive listening, even in busy surroundings. Adjusting playback speed has given me greater control over my audiobook experience. I can optimize my learning and enjoyment by customizing the pacing. The app is perfect for people who love to listen to books while commuting. This audiobook performed its function without excelling. The narrator's delivery was straightforward and easy to follow, though lacking in dramatic flair. The recording quality was decent with only occasional minor inconsistencies in volume. An acceptable but forgettable listening experience.
Clover Rabbit
I'm hooked on this app's ability to make reading fit into any moment. The subtle background music at key moments enhanced the experience without being distracting. More audiobooks should use this technique when appropriate!
Intimidating Presence
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Playing a wide variety of audio formats
Works on all devices with iOS 13 and newer
Huge amount of features for a small price
Frequent updates to add new features and improve existing ones
Advanced playback controls
Live sound processing
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice and noise reduction
Translated into more than 20 languages
If you love listening to fiction audiobooks, ListenBook has features to make the process easier.
Edit book data: title, author, cover
Use equalizer to make the sound comfortable for you
Adjust the playback speed
Enjoy dark and light app themes
Supported formats: MP3, M4B, AWB, FLAC, OGG audio files and many more (must be DRM free)
Auto-Bookmarks make it easy to find your place
AirPlay support allows redirection of audio output.
VoiceOver support
Dark mode for night owls
Convenient bookmarking system helps you mark the most important places.
Unlimited bookmarks for each audiobook
Put your own cover on the wager
Share your audiobook with friends
Lock-screen control
Customise app with extensive options
Sleep timer with shake to reset, set custom notification sounds, and a few unique options
Auto rewind depending on paused time, customize rewind times to your liking
Removing background noise from recordings made in classrooms and meetings
Changing the timbre of the reader's voice for a better listening experience