Activision Blizzard launch own studios to create franchise-based content

November 6th 2015, 3:37pm

Last Updated on August 5, 2021

Activision Blizzard is getting into the content game for themselves.

Today the company announced they’d be launching their own film and television studio in order to create original content based on their popular intellectual properties. Former Disney executive Nick van Dyk will co-head the division with another creative executive yet to be announced working next to him to build the brand.

The first project they’ll have up and running is SKYLANDERS ACADEMY, an animated series based on the toys-to-life game that has run your wallet dry has your kids have begged for new figures to add to their playing experience. FUTURAMA’s Eric Rogers will act as showrunner with the cast featuring Justin Long as Spyro, Ashley Tisdale as Stealth Elf, Jonathan Banks as Eruptor and Norm Macdonald as Glumshanks.

The next top priority is the development of a CALL OF DUTY universe that is sure to dip into the various branches of the successful first-person shooter video game franchise – MODERN WARFARE, BLACK OPS, etc. Feature films are ultimately the goal with a series of television adaptations also in play.

Given that Activision Blizzard recently bought up King Digital Entertaiment – the creator of CANDY CRUSH – for $5.9 billion, you know it’s only a matter of time before they begin dipping into that well.

This approach seems to be the way video games are being attacked for potential adaptation paths, and it makes sense. It allows the publishes to maintain a great deal of control over their licenses as opposed to simply selling off their rights and watching failure happen later. This gives them the opportunity to keep their fingerprints on the creative directions of their IPs and guide them in a way that stays consistent to what made them such a hit with gamers in the first place. This seems like a smart strategy for Activision Blizzard to employ, and, if it turns out something entertaining for fans of their products, then we can call this genius at work.