What was Blizzard previous name?
The company known today as Blizzard Entertainment was most recently named Chaos Studios, Inc. before adopting its iconic name.
A Journey Through Names: From Silicon & Synapse to Blizzard Entertainment
Founded in February 1991 by Michael Morhaime, Frank Pearce, and Allen Adham, the renowned video game developer Blizzard Entertainment has undergone a couple of name changes throughout its early history. Its evolution reflects its growth and identity shifts within the gaming industry.
The company's initial identity was Silicon & Synapse, Inc. This name was used from its founding in 1991 until 1993. During this period, the company focused on porting games for other studios and developing its own original titles, laying the groundwork for future successes.
In 1993, the company changed its name to Chaos Studios, Inc. This transition marked another phase in its development, though this name was relatively short-lived. It was under this name that the company continued to develop games before its final transformation into the globally recognized brand it is today.
Finally, in 1994, the company adopted the name Blizzard Entertainment, under which it would release some of the most influential and successful video game franchises in history, including Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo.
Here is a summary of the company's name history:
| Period | Company Name | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1991–1993 | Silicon & Synapse, Inc. | Original name after founding, focused on early development and ports. |
| 1993–1994 | Chaos Studios, Inc. | The immediate predecessor name to Blizzard Entertainment. |
| 1994–Present | Blizzard Entertainment | Current and widely recognized name of the video game developer. |
This structured evolution of its corporate identity illustrates the formative years of one of the leading entities in the video game world.
