For the first time, I am giving you guys a completely original post rather than transplanting it from my other one. I enjoy looking back at all the original IPs that companies have created, many of which have been forgotten in this day and age. So, after a request from Avril, I've decided to take a look back at Blizzard.
Originally founded in 1991 by Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham and Frank Pearce as Silicon & Synapse, Blizzard originally focused on ports for other systems for other companies. They didn't begin developing their own games until the release of RPM Racing for the SNES. The company only found modest success until the release of their breakthough hit, Warcraft. Blizzard now has some of the most widely recognized IPs in the world. We'll begin with RPM Racing and see how well each new game sold and led to sequels
RPM Racing
In reality a remake of the Commodore 64 program, Racing Destruction Set, which was originally developed by Electronic Arts, RPM Racing is known for being the first American racing game developed for the SNES. The game was simple in that it had a regular season and a single race, but it was unique due to giving the players the ability to build their own tracks. The tracks could be oval shaped, curvy, or even filled with hills and other obstacles. A pseud-sequel was made in the form of Rock and Roll Racing.
The Lost Vikings
A side-scrolling puzzle/platform game for the SNES, The Lost Vikings featured three Vikings who were kidnapped by aliens and must find their way back home. The player could switch between the Vikings at any time in order to utilize their special abilities to progress through the level. The game was noted for its unique humor and sold well enough for several remakes and ports (the most recent on the GBA). The Vikings have also made several cameos in other Blizzard games, appearing as mobs in World of Warcraft in the Uldaman dungeon and racers in Rock and Roll Racing.
Blackthorne
A 2D platform game similar in style to the Prince of Persia, Blackthorne was developed for the SNES. Rather than swords, combat took the form of gunplay and a unique feature was the abilty to prone against the wall and dodge incoming bullets. Of course, the enemies were able to do this as well making it difficult for beginner gamers. Another ability, though less useful, was the option to fire blindly behind your back giving the main character some attitude. No sequel has ever been made though a remake appeared on the GBA.
The Death and Return of Superman
A beat-em-up sidescroller for the SNES based on the infamous comic, the game played like any other of the genre. The ability to fly was given though enemies still had to be defeated to move on to the next area. There were five playable characters: Superman, The Cyborg, The Eradicator, Superboy, and Steel. The game only received lackluster reviews, garnering an average of 69% at Gamerankings. No sequel has been made.
Warcraft: Orcs and Humans
The game that put Blizzard on the map, it was a hugely successful real time strategy that pioneered the road for the genres popularity. 2 sequels, an MMO, and 4 expansion packs have made this one of the most recognized IPs in the world.
Justice League Task Force
A fighter for the SNES featuring characters from the Justice League, it featured Aquaman, Batman, The Flash, Green Arrow, Superman, Wonder Woman, Cheetah, Despero, and Darkseid as fighters. It was essentially a Street Fighter II clone. It was panned for a lack of depth and terrible character balance. No sequel was ever developed.
Diablo
Diablo is the second of Blizzard's "Big Three" games, and for good reason. It is one of the most well-known games in the action RPG genre and features a random level and monster generator. There are also multiple paths that can be taken so that no two playthroughs are exactly alike. It was awarded Gamespot's Game of the Year in 1996. A sequel and three expansion packs helped keep this one of Blizzard's top games.
Starcraft
The final of Blizzard's "Big Three," Starcraft is a sci-fi real time strategy that featured three sides to play as. The game's story and multiplayer were highly lauded and helped make it the best selling game of 1998. Starcraft has sold 9.5 million copies worldwide with 4.5 million of that number being in South Korea alone. While it has had several expansion packs and the oft-rumored and put on hold Starcraft: Ghost, a sequel was only recently announced in 2007 and is one of the most anticipated games.
And that's it. Not many IPs were created by Blizzard but they really didn't need to. Rather than come up with new one's, they've opted to perfect their existing ones and it is working out well for them. World of Warcraft is one of the biggest games in the world and the advent of Starcraft 2 will likely bring even greater sales to them.
Thoughts? Suggestions of another company? Thanks for the input!
Missed the one liner about Rock and Roll Racing. Still, it should have had it's own entry. It rocked and rolled. :) Lost Vikings and Blackthorne rocked as well, but something about Paranoid, Highware Star, Born to be Wild, Radar Love, Bad to the Bone, and Peter Gunn that just goes with a driving game.
By JonnyG on April 15th, 2008 - 21:31
Come now you forgot one of the best games they made back then. Rock and Roll Racing. I'd love to see a current version of that.
