# Blizzard Albany

> American video game development company

**Wikidata**: [Q1947354](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1947354)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_Albany)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/blizzard-albany

## Summary
Blizzard Albany is an American video game development company, originally known as Vicarious Visions, Inc. It was acquired by Blizzard Entertainment in 2021 and is headquartered in Albany, New York. The studio specializes in creating video games and has a history of developing titles for various platforms.

## Key Facts
- **Founded**: 1994 as Vicarious Visions, Inc.
- **Headquarters**: Albany, New York, USA.
- **Acquired by**: Blizzard Entertainment in 2021.
- **Legal Form**: Subsidiary company.
- **Employees**: Approximately 200 (as of available data).
- **Industry**: Video game development.
- **Parent Organization**: Blizzard Entertainment.
- **Aliases**: Vicarious Visions, Inc., Vicarious Visions, 비카리우스 비전스.
- **Website**: [http://www.vvisions.com](http://www.vvisions.com) (English version).
- **Twitter Handle**: @VvisionsStudio (with historical follower counts ranging from 15,871 to 20,673).

## FAQs
### Q: What is Blizzard Albany known for?
A: Blizzard Albany, formerly Vicarious Visions, is known for developing video games, including titles like *World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor* and *Overwatch*. The studio has contributed to major franchises under Blizzard Entertainment.

### Q: Who owns Blizzard Albany?
A: Blizzard Albany is owned by Blizzard Entertainment, which is itself owned by Microsoft.

### Q: Where is Blizzard Albany located?
A: The company is headquartered in Albany, New York, USA, at 385 Jordan Road Troy.

### Q: How many employees does Blizzard Albany have?
A: As of available data, Blizzard Albany employs approximately 200 people.

### Q: What was Blizzard Albany previously called?
A: Blizzard Albany was previously known as Vicarious Visions, Inc.

## Why It Matters
Blizzard Albany plays a significant role in the video game industry by developing high-profile titles under the Blizzard Entertainment umbrella. Its acquisition by Blizzard Entertainment in 2021 allowed it to leverage the parent company’s resources and expertise, contributing to the development of popular games like *Overwatch* and *World of Warcraft*. The studio’s work has been instrumental in shaping the competitive and cooperative gaming experiences that define modern multiplayer titles. By specializing in video game development, Blizzard Albany has made a notable impact on the industry, particularly in the realm of online multiplayer games.

## Notable For
- **Acquisition by Blizzard Entertainment**: Blizzard Albany was acquired by Blizzard Entertainment in 2021, integrating its development capabilities into the larger gaming company.
- **Development of Major Titles**: The studio has contributed to the development of notable games such as *World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor* and *Overwatch*.
- **Headquarters in Albany, New York**: The company is based in Albany, New York, a location that has historically been significant for video game development.
- **Historical Name**: Blizzard Albany was previously known as Vicarious Visions, Inc., reflecting its origins as an independent game development studio.
- **Social Media Presence**: The studio maintains an active Twitter presence under the handle @VvisionsStudio, with a following that has fluctuated over time.

## Body
### Origins and Acquisition
Blizzard Albany was originally established as Vicarious Visions, Inc. in 1994. The company was acquired by Blizzard Entertainment in 2021, becoming a subsidiary under the larger gaming organization. This acquisition allowed Vicarious Visions to contribute its development expertise to Blizzard’s portfolio of games.

### Development Work
Under Blizzard Entertainment, Blizzard Albany has been involved in the development of several notable titles. These include *World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor* and *Overwatch*, which have been well-received in the gaming community. The studio’s work has been crucial in expanding the capabilities of these games and enhancing player experiences.

### Location and Operations
The company is headquartered in Albany, New York, at 385 Jordan Road Troy. This location has been significant for video game development, contributing to the studio’s identity and operations. The headquarters serve as the base for the team’s development efforts and administrative functions.

### Employee Count
As of available data, Blizzard Albany employs approximately 200 people. This workforce supports the studio’s development activities and contributes to its production of video games.

### Industry Impact
Blizzard Albany’s work under Blizzard Entertainment has had a notable impact on the video game industry. The studio’s contributions to multiplayer games have helped shape the competitive and cooperative gaming experiences that are popular today. Its role in developing high-profile titles underscores its importance within the industry.

## Schema Markup
```json
{
  "@context": "https://schema.org",
  "@type": "Thing",
  "name": "Blizzard Albany",
  "description": "American video game development company acquired by Blizzard Entertainment in 2021, originally known as Vicarious Visions, Inc.",
  "url": "http://www.vvisions.com",
  "sameAs": ["https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q123456789", "https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Blizzard_Albany"],
  "additionalType": "VideoGameDeveloper"
}

## References

1. LastDodo
2. MusicBrainz
3. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
4. [Source](https://www.gamesindustry.biz/articles/2021-01-22-vicarious-visions-merged-into-blizzard)
5. [Source](http://km.aifb.kit.edu/services/crunchbase/)
6. Quora
7. VideoGameGeek
8. Video Games Chronicle