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.
Snowflake Pixie
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Nice Gnome
I love that I can switch between devices seamlessly and continue where I left off. The audio quality is superb. ListenBook enhances my audiobook experience. An unobjectionable but unexceptional audiobook experience. The narrator's performance was serviceable and the audio quality was fine, but nothing about the production particularly stood out or elevated the material. It was decent background listening.
SpellTansy
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Bridge Whip
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ListenBook's compatibility with various formats ensures I never miss out on any audio gem. Audiobooks at my fingertips β this app's functionality is truly impressive. ListenBook's integration with CarPlay and Apple Watch adds a new level of convenience to my audiobook journey. ListenBook is my constant companion during workouts. The controls are so easy to use.
Vicious Street
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Blister
Seamless integration of audiobooks β this app's ease of use is impressive. This was an adequate audiobook for casual listening. The narrator maintained a consistent pace and clear diction throughout, though their performance lacked some emotional range. The audio quality was fine with no significant technical distractions.
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Demo Tequila
Audiobook magic at my fingertips! This app's comprehensive features, from statistics tracking to enhanced audio quality, enrich my reading. πβ¨ The app is so versatile. It works with all my audiobook formats.
Little Cobra
Audiobook enjoyment redefined β this app's design focuses on the essentials. Every moment is a chance to dive into a new adventure with this app. Its smart controls and comprehensive format support ensure that my audiobook journey is a seamless one. ππ§ Bookmarking favorite parts of audiobooks is a breeze. It's like having a personalized study guide. ListenBook has become an essential part of my daily routine. It's like my personal audiobook oasis. Automated artwork and metadata retrieval add a professional touch to my carefully curated audiobook collection.
Nueva Nova
The app's intuitive design makes it easy to find and listen to my favorite authors. ListenBook's support for various download methods and audio formats ensures that I can always find what I'm looking for. Changing the tone of the sound on ListenBook Pro adds a personal touch to my experience. No more converting files β this app effortlessly handles various formats, saving me time and effort. Supports all audio formats I use without issues. Very happy.
Phoenix Tetra
The ListenBook app is a must-have for anyone who loves to learn and be entertained through audiobooks. ListenBook is the best audiobook player Iβve ever used. The app is reliable, fast, and packed with features like customizable themes and playback speed. The sleep timer is a lifesaver for bedtime listening. Great job, developers!
Cumulo
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Juno Cream
My productivity has soared since I started using ListenBook for my study materials. Book groups keep my related titles together for a cohesive listening experience. A thoughtful feature!
Marshmallow
With a vast genre selection, I've broadened my horizons and explored new topics. This app has brought back the joy of reading, even when I'm on the move. Revolutionizing the way I enjoy stories β this app's seamless playback and intuitive controls make it a must-have for every book enthusiast. π±π§
Zero Corn
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ByteBard
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Zesty Dragon
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Prometheus
This app's dedication to providing high-quality narration has made all the difference. This app is my constant companion, making every moment a chance to discover new worlds. With this app, I've discovered a whole new way to enjoy literature. Sharing audiobooks with friends through AirDrop is such a fun way to spread joy. The auto-rewind feature is a small detail that makes a big difference. It enhances my listening experience.
Hyper Kong
The app's stability and reliability make it my go-to choice for audiobooks. ListenBook's seamless integration with CarPlay makes my daily commute a delightful opportunity to indulge in audiobooks. ListenBook has rekindled my love for learning, one audio experience at a time. User-centric audiobook joy β this app's ease of use is a true marvel. Bravo to the creators of this app β they've truly captured the essence of convenient audiobook enjoyment. The smooth playback and thoughtful design have won me over. ππ
Mr. Fabulous
Audiobooks on this app have become my go-to entertainment for winding down. The statistics feature in ListenBook is a valuable tool for monitoring and optimizing my audiobook consumption. Binaural audio processing is a game-changer β my ears stay comfortable during long listening sessions. Unlimited audiobook length with ListenBook Pro is a game-changer.
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