Blizzard Entertainment, a subsidiary of Microsoft (via Activision Blizzard), is one of the most influential game developers in esports history. Founded in 1991, the company has produced some of the most iconic competitive games in gaming.
Esports Properties
Blizzard’s competitive portfolio includes the Overwatch series, StarCraft II which pioneered esports in South Korea, World of Warcraft’s Arena World Championship, and Hearthstone’s Masters Tour. The company operated the Overwatch League from 2018 to 2023, a city-based franchise league that was one of the most ambitious esports experiments ever undertaken. Following the OWL’s termination, Blizzard launched the Overwatch Champions Series in 2024, returning to an open ecosystem model. The Overwatch World Cup brings together national teams in a fan-favorite international competition.
