What it does: They are a well-respected maker of computer games, including Overwatch, WarCraft, Diablo, and StarCraft
Mission: To bring their dreams to life and craft the most epic entertainment experiences… ever
Size and presence: It has approximately 9,500 employees worldwide, including 40 staff in Australia
Best known for: The iconic video game universes
The good bits: Some of the products are the best in the business, and they care about fans
The not-so-good bits: No longer a full-time remote company for most, everyone is encouraged to have a hybrid work schedule
Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. is based in California and has been creating games for more than 30 years. Founded in 1991, the company under the name of Silicon & Synapse, Inc. was originally focused on creating game ports for other studios' games. In 1993, it became Chaos Studios, Inc and began developing its own software.
In 1994, the company established the Blizzard Entertainment label and quickly became one of the most popular in the industry. When they released StarCraft in 1998, it became the most successful game of the year, with over 1.5 million copies sold around the world (according to figures released by PC Data). StarCraft was also the third Blizzard game to break the million-seller mark after Diablo and Warcraft II.
In 2000, Blizzard was acquired by Vivendi Games. And in 2008, Vivendi Games merged its games division with Activision to create Activision Blizzard, the company we know in its present form.
All they do at Blizzard is based on the success of the gaming experiences they provide their players. Therefore, the goal of each area within the company, either the programming, art, marketing, or customer support, is to make their games as fun as possible for as many players as they can reach.
To do this, they make sure everybody’s voice is heard since great ideas can come from everywhere. The tests of in-progress projects are also not just about playing new games early, but enable everyone to send feedback throughout the development, all across the company.
They also have a commitment to quality, not just related to the gameplay experiences, but also to every aspect of their jobs. They approach each task carefully and seriously, and they seek feedback and use it to improve the quality of their work.
You can start your application process by submitting your resume and other materials online. You can apply for multiple roles at Blizzard, but it is best to only apply for the roles that you are qualified for.
If you are shortlisted, they will contact you for a brief phone screening to discuss your qualifications and experience. If they find a potential match with an open position, you may be invited to attend one or more interviews with various people from the company, including team members, hiring managers, and executives.
Depending on the role you are applying for, you may need to complete an assessment to evaluate your qualifications and skills. If you are selected, they will send you an offer letter with the details of the role. By accepting the offer, your hiring process will be complete and you can start your new job.
With the games industry is ever-changing, employees can count on their peers, managers, and the company to be supportive and help them gain the knowledge and training they need. However, several insiders say that working outside the US limits the options for career advancement.
Some of the annual salaries at Blizzard are Phone Operator (AUD 38,000-42,000), Esports Tournament Administrator (AUD50,000-55,000), Logistician (AUD 71,000-77,000), Sales Development Representative (AUD 79,000-86,000), Associate PR Manager (AUD 83,000-89,000).
Blizzard offers comprehensive support for their employees, which includes:
They create meaningful social impact through commitment to the veteran community and responses to natural disasters and public health crises. This includes advancing research and therapeutics against COVID-19 and supporting relief efforts around the world in response to natural disasters.
They also organise the annual Veterans Day of Service each November, where employees in Australia, along with their colleagues in the U.S., U.K., and Canada give their time for volunteer projects, such as writing letters for military service members or spending time with elderly veterans by listening to their stories, painting, furniture building, or creating care packages.