O'Brien's Big Dream
Mike O'Brien wasn't just another developer; he was the mastermind behind Battle.net, Blizzard's online gaming platform. His vision? To turn Battle.net into something much bigger - a universal digital store for games where you could buy titles from any company, much like what Steam would eventually become. By the late '90s, Battle.net was already thriving with over 2.3 million active users in 1999 and growing to 12 million by 2004.
Steam's Unexpected Journey
Meanwhile, Valve was grappling with its own set of problems - how to update games, deal with cheaters, and manage digital rights for their games. Out of these challenges, Steam was born, initially as a tool to patch games like Counter-Strike. Despite early backlash, especially when Valve made Steam mandatory for playing Half-Life 2, it grew into the behemoth we know today.
Microsoft's Revival Plan
Fast forward to now, with Microsoft's acquisition of Activision Blizzard, there's a new chapter for Battle.net. Microsoft sees potential in turning Battle.net into a Steam rival with Game Pass integration and a competitive $9.99 monthly subscription.
- •Diversifying Game Library: Starting with games like Obsidian's 'Age of Wonders'
- •Game Pass Integration: Offering games at a competitive $9.99 per month
- •Leveraging Proven Tech: Using Battle.net's established infrastructure and user interface
Looking Ahead
With Microsoft's backing, Battle.net could redefine PC gaming distribution once more. The platform brings reliability, competitive pricing, and exclusive content through Game Pass, offering day-one access to new releases. While it might not adopt all of Steam's features, its streamlined approach combined with Game Pass could offer a fresh alternative for gamers.
