For instance, Valve could turn around and say "we're not releasing Half-Life 3 at retail, only on Steam" and could do it - Blizzard couldn't do the same.
I think Blizzard could if they wanted to. Blizzard's games are still PC exclusive, for example. Do you really think that Activision/Vivendi hasn't tried to make them multiplatform? Chances are they have and Blizzard simply said "No." Money gives you leverage and Blizzard makes the most money of any developer out there.
A good example of a studio that
doesn't have this leverage is Bioware. Bioware developed Dragon Age as a PC exclusive. Then EA bought them and said "Make this multiplatform." Bioware had no choice but to comply because although their games are successful, they don't provide a constant revenue stream like WoW does for Blizzard.
Right now, the relationship between Blizzard and Activision/Vivendi is purely one of convenience. Blizzard sees no good reason to split off just yet and A/V definitely doesn't want them to go. However, if Blizzard really did want to go, there's nothing A/V could do to stop them. Bungie was in the same situation. MS bought Bungie and once Bungie made a crapload of money off the Halo games, they used their newfound leverage to leave MS. Do you think MS really wanted their key developer to leave? I highly doubt it but again, money is everything and the more you have, the more leverage you have.
This comment was edited on Apr 14, 2009, 12:13.