Blizzard Purchases IGN's Pro Gaming League

[Tanakh]

Just some notes:

Owning its own professional gaming league will make Blizzard a major player in esports.

You do realize that Blizz has been the the second largest esports company in volume (probably the first in relevance) for several years right?

They could limit licensing for other gaming leagues to run their games so that they can more specifically control Blizzard branding through holding their own shows and events.

I think it's unlikely Blizz is retarded enough to hurt his relationship with KeSPA or GSL over this.

Now that they have their own gaming league, it's possible Blizzard may concentrate on pimping more than just StarCraft in esports events like the upcoming Hearthstone [http://www.warcry.com/codex/profile/view/521-world-of-warcraft] through events of its own.>

It's quite likely that they will promote more than SC, WoW arena however is not viable, I don't think anyone has taken that seriously for a couple of years at least.

That's all speculation though, honestly. The statement claims they will use the assets of IPL to create web-based content, which may mean the shoutcasting talent and streaming technology is what they were after. I've sent an email out to Blizzard's PR and I'll let you know if we hear any more details.

As much as I don't usually trust PR, this is the only thing that makes sense, buying the IPL to promote their games and have more self generated content to compete with Riot.

 

[Baldr]

That's pretty ridiculous. A gaming company owns a league. That's like an NHL team owning the whole NHL league.

BTW worth reminding that Blizzard is one company with Activision.

I think that is an inappropriate analogy. It not like Blizzard has it own team and them owning the league. More like NHL owning the rights to the game of Hockey is more appropriate analogy.

Also it not exactly worth mentioning that Blizzard is part of Activision Blizzard, because it is still an autonomous studio/publisher within the company.