Blizzard Has Just Bought the IGN Pro League

[Shawn Zipay]

Blizzard has just purchased the rights to the IGN Pro League. This includes all technology and assets of the IGN Pro League as well as all existing members and staff. This staff will form a new team in San Francisco with a focus "on creating high-quality web and mobile content in support of Blizzard games."

“This new team will help us to further develop the rich media experiences that extend the fun and engagement of our games online,” said Blizzard executive vice president of publishing Itzik Ben-Bassat. “This is a team of passionate gamers with a proven track record, and we’re looking forward to now leveraging their expertise and technology to support a variety of online efforts.”

Those who participate in eSports for the IGN Pro League will join up with Blizzard's already existing eSports team. I guess this is good news? Anybody out there follow any of this stuff with IGN Pro League or Blizzard's eSports team?

[CptainCrunch]

I havent been involved in "pro" stuff in a long time now, but I dont see this is being good news.

Of course, IGN has been in the pocket of Activision for some time, so maybe nothing will change.

At least, I think it was them.

[tehbizness]

As someone who follows SC2 esports pretty heavily this is good news. When Ziff Davis purchased IGN they ultimately decided to shut down the IPL a few weeks before a major event (though were nice enough to help out those they could that had already purchased airfare/hotels).

Blizzard just announced a large $1.6m World Championship Series for SC2 in 2013 that is broken up into multiple regions (US, Korea, Europe) trying to further support and grow esports. Buying the IPL just means there can continue to be more events and the esport can continue to grow.

Plus lots of people who would've otherwise been unemployed by the closing of IPL are now no longer unemployed.

Good news, good news.

[CptainCrunch]

As someone who follows SC2 esports pretty heavily this is good news. When Ziff Davis purchased IGN they ultimately decided to shut down the IPL a few weeks before a major event (though were nice enough to help out those they could that had already purchased airfare/hotels).

Blizzard just announced a large $1.6m World Championship Series for SC2 in 2013 that is broken up into multiple regions (US, Korea, Europe) trying to further support and grow esports. Buying the IPL just means there can continue to be more events and the esport can continue to grow.

Plus lots of people who would've otherwise been unemployed by the closing of IPL are now no longer unemployed.

Good news, good news.

Well, there you go! See, Im just too doom N gloom.