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{{CompanyInfobox | company_type = Subsidiary | status = Defunct | foundation = [[1993 in video gaming|1993]] (as Condor) | defunct = [[2005 in video gaming|2005]] | hqs = {{Flag|United States}} [[Wikipedia:San Mateo, California|San Mateo, California]] | keypeople = Max Schaefer,Erich Schaefer,David Brevik | industry = [[Computer and video game industry|Interactive entertainment]] | products = Justice League Task Force,Diablo,Diablo II,Diablo II: Lord of Destruction }} '''''Blizzard North''''' was the [[Wikipedia:San Francisco Bay Area|Bay Area]] division of [[Blizzard Entertainment]], known for the [[Diablo (series)|''Diablo'' series]] series of video games. The studio was originally based in [[Wikipedia:Redwood City, California|Redwood City]], and then moved a short distance away to [[Wikipedia:San Mateo, California|San Mateo]], with [[Blizzard Entertainment|Blizzard]] proper being based in [[Wikipedia:Irvine, California|Irvine]] (in Southern California). ==History== ''Blizzard North'' was originally an independent company. It was established in [[1993 in video gaming|1993]] under the name '''Condor''', founded by [[Max Schaefer]], [[Erich Schaefer]], and [[David Brevik]]. The company was purchased and renamed by Blizzard about six months before the release of their hit PC game, ''[[Diablo]]'', in [[1996 in video gaming|1996]].<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1G1-18059803.html|title=Davidson & Associates, Inc. Signs a Definitive Merger Agreement With Condor, Inc.|publisher=PR Newswire|date=1996-03-06|accessdate=2009-09-28}}</ref> Diablo proved to be incredibly successful, and their [[2000 in video gaming|2000]] sequel ''[[Diablo II]]'' was more successful yet. An expansion pack followed the year after. By June 2003 two new games were in production. However on [[June 30]], [[2003 in video gaming|2003]], several key employees left Blizzard North to form the new companies [[Flagship Studios]] (8 moved here) and [[Castaway Entertainment]] (9 moved here).{{Fact|date=July 2008}} The Blizzard North exodus continued, with around 30 employees leaving the company in total. The resignations were partly due to a conflict with Blizzard Entertainment's owner, [[Vivendi Universal]], and partly due to employees wishing to start something new. Back at Blizzard North, however, they would have a singular effect; of the two unannounced games that were in production at the time, one was now forced to be cancelled. Blizzard Entertainment has since stated that the cancelled game was a "Blizzard North kind of game". On [[August 1]], [[2005 in video gaming|2005]], Blizzard Entertainment announced the closure of Blizzard North. A key reason for the closure was Blizzard North's poor development of what was to be ''[[Diablo III]]'' which did not meet the expectations of [[Vivendi Universal]]. Former Blizzard North staffers including Joseph Lawrence, Wyatt Cheng and [[Matt Uelmen]] subsequently appeared in the credits of Blizzard's next retail release, ''[[World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade]]''. The work of former Blizzard North artist Phroilan Gardner was also featured in editions of ''[[World of Warcraft: The Trading Card Game]]'' around the same time. A few employees from the ''Diablo'' team, including [[Eric Sexton]], [[Michio Okamura]] and [[Steven Woo]], organized to launch a new company, [[Hyboreal Games]].<ref>[http://www.shacknews.com/extras/2005/121505_hyboreal_1.x Hyboreal Games Q&A - Shacknews - PC Games, PlayStation, Xbox 360 and Wii video game news, previews and downloads]</ref> ==Games== ===As Condor=== * ''[[Justice League Task Force]]'' ([[1995 in video gaming|1995]]) ===As Blizzard North=== * ''[[Diablo]]'' ([[1996 in video gaming|1996]]) - action-oriented [[computer role-playing game|CRPG]] * ''[[Diablo II]]'' ([[2000 in video gaming|2000]]) - action-oriented CRPG * ''[[Diablo II: Lord of Destruction]]'' ([[2001 in video gaming|2001]]) - [[Expansion pack]] ==References== {{Reflist}} * {{Cite web|url=http://www.gamesindustry.biz/content_page.php?aid=13294|title=Blizzard North veterans form new independent development studio|date=November 29, 2005|accessdate=2007-05-05|author=Paul Loughrey|publisher=gamesindustry.biz}} * {{Cite web|url=http://www.gamecareerguide.net/industry_news/7320/news/7320/exblizzard_veterans_form_hyboreal_.php|title=Ex-Blizzard Veterans Form Hyboreal Games|accessdate=2007-05-06|date=November 28, 2005|publisher=gamecareerguide.net|author=[[Simon Carless]]}} * {{Cite web|url=http://animationmagazine.net/article.php?article_id=4756|title=Blizzard Vets Form Hyboreal Games|author=Ryan Ball|publisher=''[[Animation Magazine]]''|accessdate=2007-05-06|date=November 28, 2005}} * <s>[http://www.gamespot.com/pages/company/index.php?company=39855 Blizzard North] on [[GameSpot]]</s>{{Dead link}} ==External Links== * [http://www.blizzard.com/ Blizzard website] {{Blizzard Entertainment}}
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