Blizzard Entertainment: Difference between revisions

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===Background===
===Background===
'''Blizzard Entertainment''' (formerly "Silicon & Synapse") was founded on February 8, 1991 by Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham, and Frank Pearce. It had to be renamed to its current name in 1994 shortly after being sued by [[Interplay Entertainment]]. In July 2008, it merged with [[Activision]] to become Activision Blizzard, but it still remains a subsidiary of it. They are best known for creating the ''Warcraft'', ''Diablo'', and ''StarCraft'' franchises, all of which have become worldwide hits.
'''Blizzard Entertainment''' was founded on February 8, 1991 by Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham, and Frank Pearce as "[[Silicon & Synapse]]". It had to be renamed to its current name in 1994 shortly after being sued by [[Interplay Entertainment]]. In July 2008, it merged with [[Activision Publishing|Activision]] to become Activision Blizzard, but it still remains a subsidiary of it. They are best known for creating the ''Warcraft'', ''Diablo'', ''StarCraft'', and ''Overwatch'' franchises, all of which have become worldwide hits. On July 20, 2021, holding company Activision Blizzard was sued by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing due to widespread allegations of sexual harassment. As a result, on January 18, 2022, it was announced that Microsoft would be acquiring Activision Blizzard, but due to rising fears that it would drastically impact distribution of games for non-Microsoft consoles, several organizations filed suits to block the acquisition starting in late 2022. Regardless, it is still expected to go through. The deal was closed on October 13, 2023.

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==Silicon & Synapse==
===(1991-1994)===
⚫
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
File:Silicon and Synapse (1994) (From - The Lost Vikings for SNES).png
File:Ep6PqbjPEjCB1bLYX UNLA10071.png
⚫
</gallery>

'''Logo:''' We see a crystallized rectangle. On the left of the rectangle is a brain wearing sunglasses with its arms and legs crossed in a crystallized style. On the right is "Silicon & Synapse" in a crystallized styled font.

'''Variant:''' On the SNES version of ''Rock n' Roll Racing'', the [[Software Creations]] logo is shown in the bottom right corner.

⚫
'''FX/SFX:''' None.

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'''Music/Sounds:''' None, or the opening theme of the game.

'''Availability:''' Appears on games throughout the era like ''The Lost Vikings'' and ''Rock N' Roll Racing'' (the Genesis version of the latter title however, has the 1st Blizzard logo instead).



{{ImageTOC
|Blizzard Entertainment (1994) (From - BlackThrone for SNES).png|1st Logo (August 1994-October 27, 1995)
|Blizzard Entertainment (1997) (From - Warcraft II The Dark Saga for Sega Saturn).png|2nd Logo (December 9, 1995-May 8. 1998)
|Blizzard Entertainment (1998) (From - Starcraft for N64).png|3rd Logo (StarCraft variant) (March 31, 1998-May 25, 2001)
|Blizzard Entertainment (2002) (From - Warcraft III).png|4th Logo (June 28, 2000-July 5, 2002)
|Blizzard Entertainment (2001) (From - World of Warcraft cinematic trailer).png|5th Logo (September 2001)
|Blizzard Entertainment (2003) (From - StarCraft Ghost trailer).png|6th Logo (March 2003)
|Blizzard Entertainment (2004) (From - World of Warcraft).png|7th Logo (World of Warcraft variant) (November 23, 2004-February 11, 2005)
|Blizzard Entertainment (2007) (From - World of Warcraft The Burning Crusade).png|8th Logo (January 16, 2007-)
|Blizzard Entertainment (2007) (From - StarCraft II trailer).png|9th Logo (June 2007)
|Blizzard Entertainment (2008) (From - StarCraft II Zerg Reveal trailer).png|10th Logo (June 2008)
|Blizzard Entertainment (2011) (From - Diablo III).png|11th Logo (Diablo III variant) (May 15, 2012-August 19, 2014)
|Blizzard Entertainment (2016) (From - Warcraft (2016)).png|12th Logo (Warcraft movie variant) (June 10, 2016)
}}


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===1st Logo (August 1994-October 27, 1995)===
==Blizzard Entertainment==
⚫
===1st Logo (1994-1995)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Blizzard Entertainment (1994) (From - BlackThrone for SNES).png
Blizzard Entertainment (1994) (From - BlackThrone for SNES).png
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{{YouTube|id=aOQaxdG6iLQ}}
{{YouTube|id=aOQaxdG6iLQ}}


'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see the text "{{Color|blue|'''BLIZZARD'''}} {{Color|lightblue|ENTERTAINMENT}}", with "BLIZZARD" in a jagged font, and "ENTERTAINMENT" in a straight font.
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is the text "{{color|blue|'''BLIZZARD'''}} {{color|lightblue|ENTERTAINMENT}}", with "BLIZZARD" in a jagged font, and "ENTERTAINMENT" in a straight font.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
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* On the SNES version of ''The Lost Vikings II'', the main characters of the game, Erik, Baleog and Olaf, fall onto the logo and become dizzy.
* On the SNES version of ''The Lost Vikings II'', the main characters of the game, Erik, Baleog and Olaf, fall onto the logo and become dizzy.


'''FX/SFX:''' None. The animation on ''The Lost Vikings II'' variant.
'''Technique:''' None. Sprite-based animation on ''The Lost Vikings II'' variant.

'''Music/Sounds:''' A long, quiet "whoosh". Sometimes, the opening theme of the game is heard.

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'''Music/Sounds Variant:''' On the Genesis version of ''The Death and Return of Superman'', it's silent.


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'''Audio:''' A long, quiet "whoosh". Sometimes, the opening theme of the game is heard.
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'''Availability:''' Appears on ''Warcraft: Orcs & Humans'' for MS-DOS and Mac OS. It also appears on ''The Death and Return of Superman'' for Genesis and SNES, ''Justice League: Task Force'' for SNES, and other Blizzard games throughout the era.


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'''Audio Variant:''' On the Genesis version of ''The Death and Return of Superman'', it's silent.


⚫
'''Availability:''' Appears on ''Warcraft: Orcs & Humans'' for MS-DOS and Mac OS, and ''BlackThorne''. It also appears on ''The Death and Return of Superman'' for Genesis and SNES, and ''Justice League: Task Force'' for SNES.


===2nd Logo (1995-1998)===
===2nd Logo (December 9, 1995-May 8. 1998)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Blizzard Entertainment (1997) (From - Warcraft II The Dark Saga for Sega Saturn).png
Blizzard Entertainment (1997) (From - Warcraft II The Dark Saga for Sega Saturn).png
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{{YouTube|id=CuNJmf6IEYQ|id2=BY5cCnhF08w|id3=KHV3XZjhrOQ}}
{{YouTube|id=CuNJmf6IEYQ|id2=BY5cCnhF08w|id3=KHV3XZjhrOQ}}


'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see the word "{{Color|blue|'''BLIZZARD'''}}", in the same jagged font as the last logo, fly in from the bottom-left side of the screen. It stops in the center, and a white spark zooms across the screen from left to right, forming the word "{{Color|blue|ENTERTAINMENT}}".
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is the word "{{color|blue|'''BLIZZARD'''}}", in the same jagged font as the last logo, fly in from the bottom-left side of the screen. It stops in the center, and a white spark zooms across the screen from left to right, forming the word "{{color|blue|ENTERTAINMENT}}".


'''FX/SFX:''' Good CGI for its time.
'''Technique:''' CGI.


'''Music/Sounds:''' A big, loud "whoosh", followed by a "boom"-like sound that trails off, and some "twinkling".
'''Audio:''' A big, loud "whoosh", followed by a "boom"-like sound that trails off, and some "twinkling".


'''Availability:''' Easier to find than the last logo, but still pretty rare. Can be found on ''Warcraft II'' and ''Diablo''. It appears on the PlayStation versions of said titles as well.
'''Availability:''' Easier to find than the last logo, but still pretty rare. Can be found on ''Warcraft II'' and ''Diablo''. It appears on the PlayStation versions of said titles as well.




===3rd Logo (''StarCraft'' variant) (March 31, 1998-May 25, 2001)===
===3rd Logo (''StarCraft'' variant) (March 31, 1998-May 25, 2001)===
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Blizzard Entertainment (1998) (From - Starcraft for N64).png
Blizzard Entertainment (1998) (From - Starcraft for N64).png
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=pqAXYP7zyIg}}
{{YouTube|id=Q-vOleOJVx8}}


'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see a bunch of wavy lines moving around in the middle of the screen. After a few seconds, "{{Color|blue|'''BLIZZARD'''}}" appears, the wavy lines disappear, and "ENTERTAINMENT" fades in below.
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is a bunch of wavy lines moving around in the middle of the screen. After a few seconds, "{{color|blue|'''BLIZZARD'''}}" appears, the wavy lines disappear, and "ENTERTAINMENT" fades in below.


'''Variant:''' On the Nintendo 64 version of ''StarCraft'' (known as ''StarCraft 64''), it's a still logo.
'''Variant:''' On the Nintendo 64 version of ''StarCraft'' (known as ''StarCraft 64''), it's a still logo.


'''FX/SFX:''' The wavy lines, done in really cool effects. None for the still variant.
'''Technique:''' CGI. None for the still variant.


'''Music/Sounds:''' Various electric sounds, followed by a small "whoosh", a loud "slam" when "ENTERTAINMENT" appears, and quiet "twinkling". For the still variant, the opening theme of the game.
'''Audio:''' Various electric sounds, followed by a small "whoosh", a loud "slam" when "ENTERTAINMENT" appears, and quiet "twinkling". For the still variant, the opening theme of the game.


'''Availability:''' Rare. Seen only on ''StarCraft'' for Windows, Mac OS, and Nintendo 64.
'''Availability:''' Seen only on ''StarCraft'' for Windows, Mac OS, and Nintendo 64.


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===4th Logo (June 28, 2000-July 5, 2002)===


⚫
===4th Logo (June 29, 2000-July 3, 2002)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Blizzard Entertainment (2002) (From - Warcraft III).png
Blizzard Entertainment (2002) (From - Warcraft III).png
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{{YouTube|id=iA4K2l7eb8s}}
{{YouTube|id=iA4K2l7eb8s}}


'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see multiple {{Color|blue}} lights emitting though the background, much like the 1997 Activision logo. After a few seconds, the lights slowly come together, revealing a black Blizzard logo. "ENTERTAINMENT" shines below the Blizzard logo, and the screen flashes, causing the Blizzard logo to turn {{Color|blue}}, and the lights to disappear.
'''Visuals:''' Over a black background, the logo starts with multiple {{color|blue}} lights emitting though the background, much like the 1997 Activision logo. After a few seconds, the lights slowly come together, revealing a black Blizzard logo. "ENTERTAINMENT" shines below the Blizzard logo, and the screen flashes, causing the Blizzard logo to turn {{color|blue}}, and the lights to disappear.


⚫
'''Technique:''' CGI.
'''FX/SFX:''' Nice animation, which still holds up today.


'''Music/Sounds:''' Cracking sounds when the lights are emitting and coming together, a "whoosh" when "ENTERTAINMENT" appears, a "slam", and quiet "twinkling".
'''Audio:''' Cracking sounds when the lights are emitting and coming together, a "whoosh" when "ENTERTAINMENT" appears, a "slam", and quiet "twinkling".


'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Diablo II'' and ''Warcraft III''.
'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Diablo II'' and ''Warcraft III''.




===5th Logo (September 2001)===
===5th Logo (September 2001)===
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{{YouTube|id=AdrnyVdadaY}}
{{YouTube|id=AdrnyVdadaY}}


'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see a bunch of white lines tracing the Blizzard logo. After about six seconds, the lines disappear, and the Blizzard logo appears.
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is a bunch of white lines tracing the Blizzard logo. After about six seconds, the lines disappear, and the Blizzard logo appears.


'''FX/SFX:''' The tracing lines.
'''Technique:''' 2D computer animation.


'''Music/Sounds:''' The opening theme of the trailer.
'''Audio:''' The opening theme of the trailer.


'''Availability:''' Seen only on the first trailer for the famous MMORPG ''World of Warcraft''.
'''Availability:''' Seen only on the first trailer for the famous MMORPG ''World of Warcraft''.




===6th Logo (March 2003)===
===6th Logo (March 2003)===
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{{YouTube|id=F9myb3yZ_5E}}
{{YouTube|id=F9myb3yZ_5E}}


'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see a huge {{Color|blue}}/{{Color|purple}} light shine across the screen from top-right to center. The light then disappears, revealing the Blizzard logo.
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, there is a huge {{color|blue}}/{{color|darkviolet|purple}} light shine across the screen from top-right to center. The light then disappears, revealing the Blizzard logo.


'''FX/SFX:''' The shining light.
'''Technique:''' CGI.


'''Music/Sounds:''' A big "whoosh".
'''Audio:''' A big "whoosh".


'''Availability:''' Seen on the trailer for the unreleased third-person shooter ''StarCraft: Ghost''.
'''Availability:''' Seen on the trailer for the unreleased third-person shooter ''StarCraft: Ghost''.


⚫
===7th Logo (''World of Warcraft'' variant) (November 23, 2004-February 11, 2005)===


⚫
===7th Logo (''World of Warcraft'' variant) (November 23, 2004)===
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Blizzard Entertainment (2004) (From - World of Warcraft).png
Blizzard Entertainment (2004) (From - World of Warcraft).png
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{{YouTube|id=HUhRskKLL3U}}
{{YouTube|id=HUhRskKLL3U}}


'''Logo:''' On a smokey {{Color|yellow}} background, the text "TEN YEARS", with a {{Color|red}}/{{Color|orange}} light shining over it from right to left, fades in. After about four seconds, the text fades out, and more text reading "OF WARCRAFT", with a registered trademark next to "WARCRAFT" and another {{Color|red}}/{{Color|orange}} light shining over the text from right to left, fades in. After about seven seconds, it fades out, and yet another {{Color|red}}/{{Color|orange}} light appears, once again shining from right to left, slowly revealing the Blizzard logo, this time in {{Color|gold}} instead of {{Color|blue}}. Once the logo is fully revealed, the light disappears, and the Blizzard logo slowly fades out.
'''Visuals:''' On a smokey {{color|gold|yellow}} background, the text "TEN YEARS", with a {{color|red}}/{{color|orange}} light shining over it from right to left, fades in. After about four seconds, the text fades out, and more text reading "OF WARCRAFT", with a registered trademark next to "WARCRAFT" and another {{color|red}}/{{color|orange}} light shining over the text from right to left, fades in. After about seven seconds, it fades out, and yet another {{color|red}}/{{color|orange}} light appears, once again shining from right to left, slowly revealing the Blizzard logo, this time in {{color|gold}} instead of {{color|blue}}. Once the logo is fully revealed, the light disappears, and the Blizzard logo slowly fades out.


'''Technique:''' CGI.
'''FX/SFX:''' Impressive animation, clocking the logo in at about 25 seconds.


'''Music/Sounds:''' A low synth note held throughout, accompanied by some loud "whooshes", a choir, and a loud "slam" when the Blizzard logo is fully revealed.
'''Audio:''' A low synth note held throughout, accompanied by some loud "whooshes", a choir, and a loud "slam" when the Blizzard logo is fully revealed.


'''Availability:''' Seen on the famous MMORPG ''World of Warcraft''.
'''Availability:''' Seen on the famous MMORPG ''World of Warcraft''.
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</gallery>
</gallery>


'''Logo:''' On a black background, the Blizzard logo from before slowly fades in from the left. When it completely fades in, it flashes, and then slowly fades out.
'''Visuals:''' On a black background, the Blizzard logo from before slowly fades in from the left. When it completely fades in, it flashes, and then slowly fades out.


'''Variants:'''
'''Variants:'''
* Later versions of this logo has the logo shinier and the flashing omitted.
* Later versions of this logo have the logo shinier and the flashing omitted.
* On the ''World of Warcraft'' expansion pack ''The Burning Crusade'', the logo is {{color|gold}}.
* On the ''World of Warcraft'' expansion pack ''The Burning Crusade'', the logo is {{color|gold}}.


'''Technique:''' CGI.
'''FX/SFX:''' The fading and flashing. Pretty disappointing compared to the previous logo.

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'''Music/Sounds:''' The opening theme of the game, accompanied by some "whooshes".

⚫
'''Availability:''' Seen on the ''World of Warcraft'' expansion pack titled ''The Burning Crusade'' as well as several more games from the company.


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'''Audio:''' The opening theme of the game, accompanied by some "whooshes".


⚫
'''Availability:''' Seen on the ''World of Warcraft'' expansion pack titled ''The Burning Crusade'', as well as several more games from the company.


===9th Logo (June 2007)===
===9th Logo (June 2007)===
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{{YouTube|id=UgTgLokyA6k|id2=N2qYBWqsjtM}}
{{YouTube|id=UgTgLokyA6k|id2=N2qYBWqsjtM}}


'''Logo:''' An extended remake of the 3rd logo: We start out with some {{Color|blue}} static. The static disappears, and we see a big explosion of {{Color|blue}} light. The light suddenly zooms to the center of the screen and starts forming the Blizzard logo. Once the logo is completely formed, the light disappears, and "ENTERTAINMENT" fades in below. After a few seconds, more {{Color|blue}} static appears and disappears very quickly, much like a TV being turned off.
'''Visuals:''' An extended remake of the 3rd logo: The sequence starts out with some {{color|blue}} static. The static disappears, and we see a big explosion of {{color|blue}} light. The light suddenly zooms to the center of the screen and starts forming the Blizzard logo. Once the logo is completely formed, the light disappears, and "ENTERTAINMENT" fades in below. After a few seconds, more {{color|blue}} static appears and disappears very quickly, much like a TV being turned off.


'''FX/SFX:''' Again, excellent animation.
'''Technique:''' CGI.


'''Music/Sounds:''' Various futuristic sounds and vague whispers of the company name.
'''Audio:''' Various futuristic sounds and vague whispers of the company name.


'''Availability:''' Seen on the trailer for ''StarCraft II''.
'''Availability:''' Seen on the trailer for ''StarCraft II''.




===10th Logo (June 2008)===
===10th Logo (June 2008)===
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Blizzard Entertainment (2008) (From - StarCraft II Zerg Reveal trailer).png
Blizzard Entertainment (2008) (From - StarCraft II Zerg Reveal trailer).png
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=m9zLOv76U6U}}


'''Logo:''' On a black background, we see {{Color|purple}} cracks appearing on various parts of the screen and coming together. As the camera rotates and zooms out, the cracks are revealed to be forming the Blizzard logo. Once the Blizzard logo is completely formed, the cracks disappear, the logo turns {{Color|blue}}, and "ENTERTAINMENT" appears below.
'''Visuals:''' Over a black background, the logo starts with {{color|darkviolet|purple}} cracks appearing on various parts of the screen and coming together. As the camera rotates and zooms out, the cracks are revealed to be forming the Blizzard logo. Once the Blizzard logo is completely formed, the cracks disappear, the logo turns {{color|blue}}, and "ENTERTAINMENT" appears below.


'''Technique:''' CGI.
'''FX/SFX:''' Once again, very good animation.


'''Music/Sounds:''' Cracking sounds when the cracks are forming, and "whooshing" when the cracks disappear.
'''Audio:''' Cracking sounds when the cracks are forming, and "whooshing" when the cracks disappear.


'''Availability:''' Seen on the trailer for the ''StarCraft II'' expansion pack titled ''Zerg'' (later re-titled to ''Heart of the Swarm'').
'''Availability:''' Seen on the trailer for the ''StarCraft II'' expansion pack titled ''Zerg'' (later re-titled to ''Heart of the Swarm'').




===11th Logo (''Diablo III'' variant) (May 15, 2012-August 19, 2014)===
===11th Logo (''Diablo III'' variant) (May 15, 2012-August 19, 2014)===
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Blizzard Entertainment (2011) (From - Diablo III).png
Blizzard Entertainment (2011) (From - Diablo III).png
</gallery>
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=Y9mUe5vHYzs}}


'''Logo:''' On a white cloth, the camera rotates around a frozen {{Color|red}} substance splatter with the Blizzard logo formed on it. There is also a string above the logo.
'''Visuals:''' On a white cloth, the camera rotates around a frozen {{color|red}} substance splatter with the Blizzard logo formed on it. There is also a string above the logo.


'''Technique:''' CGI.
'''FX/SFX:''' The camera moving, the effects of illumination.


'''Music/Sounds:''' An ominous sound, and a man saying "And the end of days...". All are part of the intro of the game.
'''Audio:''' An ominous sound, and a man saying "And the end of days...". All are part of the intro of the game.


'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Diablo III''.
'''Availability:''' Seen on ''Diablo III''.


===12th Logo (''Warcraft'' movie variant) (June 10, 2016)===
⚫
<gallery mode="packed" heights="200">
Blizzard Entertainment (2016) (From - Warcraft (2016)).png
⚫
</gallery>
{{YouTube|id=wlbAO1CNxwU}}

'''Visuals:''' Various shots of ice appear, with characters/items from previous Blizzard features: the runeblade Frostmourne from ''Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002)'', Sarah Kerrigan from ''StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (2010)'', Arthas Menethil from ''Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002)'' and Tracer from ''Overwatch (2016)''. The Blizzard logo is then fully revealed, animating similarly to the 8th logo.

'''Technique:''' CGI by Greenhaus GFX.

'''Audio:''' The film's intro music.


'''Availability:''' Seen only on the ''Warcraft'' film.


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{{Chronology|[[Silicon & Synapse]]|}}
{{Video Game-Navbox}}
{{Video Game-Navbox}}
[[Category:American video game logos]]
[[Category:American video game logos]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:United States]]
[[Category:Video game logos]]
[[Category:Video game logos]]
[[Category:Microsoft]]
[[Category:Activision Blizzard]]
[[Category:Activision Blizzard]]
[[Category:Logos made by Greenhaus GFX]]

Latest revision as of 21:14, 9 February 2024

Credits
Descriptions by
LogosForTheWin and CuriousGeorge60

Captures by
CuriousGeorge60

Editions by
CuriousGeorge60

Video captures courtesy of
Pccollection, corgrath, djkag2006, ToToo088, SimonFriberg, WillTurner18, gentlenoiz and eventzz

Background

Blizzard Entertainment was founded on February 8, 1991 by Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham, and Frank Pearce as "Silicon & Synapse". It had to be renamed to its current name in 1994 shortly after being sued by Interplay Entertainment. In July 2008, it merged with Activision to become Activision Blizzard, but it still remains a subsidiary of it. They are best known for creating the Warcraft, Diablo, StarCraft, and Overwatch franchises, all of which have become worldwide hits. On July 20, 2021, holding company Activision Blizzard was sued by the California Department of Fair Employment and Housing due to widespread allegations of sexual harassment. As a result, on January 18, 2022, it was announced that Microsoft would be acquiring Activision Blizzard, but due to rising fears that it would drastically impact distribution of games for non-Microsoft consoles, several organizations filed suits to block the acquisition starting in late 2022. Regardless, it is still expected to go through. The deal was closed on October 13, 2023.


Contents

1st Logo (August 1994-October 27, 1995) 2nd Logo (December 9, 1995-May 8. 1998) 3rd Logo (StarCraft variant) (March 31, 1998-May 25, 2001) 4th Logo (June 28, 2000-July 5, 2002) 5th Logo (September 2001) 6th Logo (March 2003)
1st Logo (August 1994-October 27, 1995) 2nd Logo (December 9, 1995-May 8. 1998) 3rd Logo (StarCraft variant) (March 31, 1998-May 25, 2001) 4th Logo (June 28, 2000-July 5, 2002) 5th Logo (September 2001) 6th Logo (March 2003)
 
7th Logo (World of Warcraft variant) (November 23, 2004-February 11, 2005) 8th Logo (January 16, 2007-) 9th Logo (June 2007) 10th Logo (June 2008) 11th Logo (Diablo III variant) (May 15, 2012-August 19, 2014) 12th Logo (Warcraft movie variant) (June 10, 2016)
7th Logo (World of Warcraft variant) (November 23, 2004-February 11, 2005) 8th Logo (January 16, 2007-) 9th Logo (June 2007) 10th Logo (June 2008) 11th Logo (Diablo III variant) (May 15, 2012-August 19, 2014) 12th Logo (Warcraft movie variant) (June 10, 2016)


1st Logo (August 1994-October 27, 1995)


Visuals: On a black background, there is the text "BLIZZARD ENTERTAINMENT", with "BLIZZARD" in a jagged font, and "ENTERTAINMENT" in a straight font.

Variants:

  • On the Sega 32X version of BlackThrone, the logo is in CGI and has a spotlight-like effect. Plus, "ENTERTAINMENT" is in a different font and it's a bit bigger than before.
  • On the SNES version of The Lost Vikings II, the main characters of the game, Erik, Baleog and Olaf, fall onto the logo and become dizzy.

Technique: None. Sprite-based animation on The Lost Vikings II variant.

Audio: A long, quiet "whoosh". Sometimes, the opening theme of the game is heard.

Audio Variant: On the Genesis version of The Death and Return of Superman, it's silent.

Availability: Appears on Warcraft: Orcs & Humans for MS-DOS and Mac OS, and BlackThorne. It also appears on The Death and Return of Superman for Genesis and SNES, and Justice League: Task Force for SNES.

2nd Logo (December 9, 1995-May 8. 1998)


Visuals: On a black background, there is the word "BLIZZARD", in the same jagged font as the last logo, fly in from the bottom-left side of the screen. It stops in the center, and a white spark zooms across the screen from left to right, forming the word "ENTERTAINMENT".

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A big, loud "whoosh", followed by a "boom"-like sound that trails off, and some "twinkling".

Availability: Easier to find than the last logo, but still pretty rare. Can be found on Warcraft II and Diablo. It appears on the PlayStation versions of said titles as well.

3rd Logo (StarCraft variant) (March 31, 1998-May 25, 2001)


Visuals: On a black background, there is a bunch of wavy lines moving around in the middle of the screen. After a few seconds, "BLIZZARD" appears, the wavy lines disappear, and "ENTERTAINMENT" fades in below.

Variant: On the Nintendo 64 version of StarCraft (known as StarCraft 64), it's a still logo.

Technique: CGI. None for the still variant.

Audio: Various electric sounds, followed by a small "whoosh", a loud "slam" when "ENTERTAINMENT" appears, and quiet "twinkling". For the still variant, the opening theme of the game.

Availability: Seen only on StarCraft for Windows, Mac OS, and Nintendo 64.

4th Logo (June 28, 2000-July 5, 2002)


Visuals: Over a black background, the logo starts with multiple blue lights emitting though the background, much like the 1997 Activision logo. After a few seconds, the lights slowly come together, revealing a black Blizzard logo. "ENTERTAINMENT" shines below the Blizzard logo, and the screen flashes, causing the Blizzard logo to turn blue, and the lights to disappear.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Cracking sounds when the lights are emitting and coming together, a "whoosh" when "ENTERTAINMENT" appears, a "slam", and quiet "twinkling".

Availability: Seen on Diablo II and Warcraft III.

5th Logo (September 2001)


Visuals: On a black background, there is a bunch of white lines tracing the Blizzard logo. After about six seconds, the lines disappear, and the Blizzard logo appears.

Technique: 2D computer animation.

Audio: The opening theme of the trailer.

Availability: Seen only on the first trailer for the famous MMORPG World of Warcraft.

6th Logo (March 2003)


Visuals: On a black background, there is a huge blue/purple light shine across the screen from top-right to center. The light then disappears, revealing the Blizzard logo.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A big "whoosh".

Availability: Seen on the trailer for the unreleased third-person shooter StarCraft: Ghost.

7th Logo (World of Warcraft variant) (November 23, 2004-February 11, 2005)


Visuals: On a smokey yellow background, the text "TEN YEARS", with a red/orange light shining over it from right to left, fades in. After about four seconds, the text fades out, and more text reading "OF WARCRAFT", with a registered trademark next to "WARCRAFT" and another red/orange light shining over the text from right to left, fades in. After about seven seconds, it fades out, and yet another red/orange light appears, once again shining from right to left, slowly revealing the Blizzard logo, this time in gold instead of blue. Once the logo is fully revealed, the light disappears, and the Blizzard logo slowly fades out.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: A low synth note held throughout, accompanied by some loud "whooshes", a choir, and a loud "slam" when the Blizzard logo is fully revealed.

Availability: Seen on the famous MMORPG World of Warcraft.

8th Logo (January 16, 2007-)

Visuals: On a black background, the Blizzard logo from before slowly fades in from the left. When it completely fades in, it flashes, and then slowly fades out.

Variants:

  • Later versions of this logo have the logo shinier and the flashing omitted.
  • On the World of Warcraft expansion pack The Burning Crusade, the logo is gold.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: The opening theme of the game, accompanied by some "whooshes".

Availability: Seen on the World of Warcraft expansion pack titled The Burning Crusade, as well as several more games from the company.

9th Logo (June 2007)


Visuals: An extended remake of the 3rd logo: The sequence starts out with some blue static. The static disappears, and we see a big explosion of blue light. The light suddenly zooms to the center of the screen and starts forming the Blizzard logo. Once the logo is completely formed, the light disappears, and "ENTERTAINMENT" fades in below. After a few seconds, more blue static appears and disappears very quickly, much like a TV being turned off.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Various futuristic sounds and vague whispers of the company name.

Availability: Seen on the trailer for StarCraft II.

10th Logo (June 2008)


Visuals: Over a black background, the logo starts with purple cracks appearing on various parts of the screen and coming together. As the camera rotates and zooms out, the cracks are revealed to be forming the Blizzard logo. Once the Blizzard logo is completely formed, the cracks disappear, the logo turns blue, and "ENTERTAINMENT" appears below.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: Cracking sounds when the cracks are forming, and "whooshing" when the cracks disappear.

Availability: Seen on the trailer for the StarCraft II expansion pack titled Zerg (later re-titled to Heart of the Swarm).

11th Logo (Diablo III variant) (May 15, 2012-August 19, 2014)


Visuals: On a white cloth, the camera rotates around a frozen red substance splatter with the Blizzard logo formed on it. There is also a string above the logo.

Technique: CGI.

Audio: An ominous sound, and a man saying "And the end of days...". All are part of the intro of the game.

Availability: Seen on Diablo III.

12th Logo (Warcraft movie variant) (June 10, 2016)


Visuals: Various shots of ice appear, with characters/items from previous Blizzard features: the runeblade Frostmourne from Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002), Sarah Kerrigan from StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (2010), Arthas Menethil from Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002) and Tracer from Overwatch (2016). The Blizzard logo is then fully revealed, animating similarly to the 8th logo.

Technique: CGI by Greenhaus GFX.

Audio: The film's intro music.

Availability: Seen only on the Warcraft film.

◄ Silicon & Synapse
Blizzard Entertainment
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