When it comes to video gaming, few have not heard of Blizzard Entertainment. In particular regards to the fantasy genre, Blizzard’s “World of Warcraft” practically revolutionized the industry. And just like in any game where the player would battle monsters in order to grow, Blizzard, too, grew from a little known company in the silicon valley to the goliath it is today.

In 1991, Michael Morhaime, along with his two close friends, joined up to form the Silicon and Synapse, a small firm making game ports for other companies. The small company struggled for survival, and did not make a name for itself until a whole three years after, when the company’s Warcraft: Orcs vs Humans, became a great hit. From then on, Blizzard would keep on releasing other world renowed titles, inclduing Starcraft, Diablo, and of course, World of Warcraft.

What made the company so successful? Its unconventional ideology. Back in the era when the very term “Orc” was associated with viciousness and savagery, Blizzard would come to devote an entire series dedicated to its leader, and portraying the humans as the inhumane brutes. This approach not only offered diversity to the many players, but also would lay the path for future games where playing the bad guys became the norm.

Images courtesy of http://www.savingcontent.com/wp-content/uploads/blizzard-entertainment-logo-2.jpg and http://wallpapers.free-review.net/18__Blood_Elves.htm, in order of precedence.