Blizzard Plots Mobile Takeover (Updated)

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World of Warcraft and StarCraft developer Blizzard Entertainment is branching out into mobile development, according to a series of new listings on its job site. Three listings for mobile-related positions popped up last week--a mobile producer to oversee "the process of bringing Blizzard-IP-related functions into the mobile space," a lead software engineer to "lead a mobile development programming team," and a lead mobile UI designer to "help lead our efforts in the mobile space."

Based off the phrasing and timing of the postings, Blizzard's plans for the mobile market appear in their infancy and are likely unrelated to the upcoming product announcement that has sent the internets into a furor of speculation. With the May 19th announcement less than two weeks away, rumors abound that said product may be anything from the long-awaited StarCraft sequel to a StarCraft-based MMO.

Inquiries have been sent to Blizzard regarding mobile development, but a response has not been received as of press time.

Update: "We do intend to announce a new product at the Worldwide Invitational next month in Korea, and we appreciate the enthusiasm and interest in getting an advance look at what that will be, but players will have to wait until May 19th to find out more," a Blizzard representative told Shacknews.

The statement continues, "As far as our mobile plans, the job description for the Lead Mobile Software Engineer position reads, 'The ideal applicant will...be capable of leading a group of programmers in bringing Blizzard-IP-related functions to the mobile space.' That provides somewhat of an idea of what our scope will be in that space, but we aren't quite ready to divulge further details at this time."

Chris Faylor was previously a games journalist creating content at Shacknews.

From The Chatty
  • reply
    May 7, 2007 10:57 AM

    What a giant waste of time

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