Activision-Blizzard’s game lineup is built largely on a small group of big, recognisable series ranging from Warcraft to Call of Duty. Overwatch has been Blizzard’s only new IP in the better part of two decades, and while Activision has published original titles like Destiny and Sekiro in recent years, its internal studios haven’t done much original franchise development, either.
That may change, however, as COO Coddy Johnson tells investors during the company’s latest financial earnings call. “New IP initiatives” are in the works at each of the company’s business: Activision, Blizzard, and mobile division King. Exactly what that means remains to be seen, but given the company’s historical reticence to launch new IP, any indication of active development is notable.
Johnson says the company has a “very rigorous” approach to developing new IP, which means plenty of prototypes and ideas never see the light of day. It should be noted that loads of projects also die on the vine at other studios, but ActiBlizz is apparently a little more judicious in trimming back.
One investor also brought up the topic of remasters, and the folks at Activision noted that there’s plenty of opportunity for more given the success of Crash and Spyro. So don’t expect the company to go all in on originals any time soon.
Chances are good we’ll see details on Overwatch 2 and Diablo 4 soon, and the grind of new Call of Duty titles marches ever forward.