Vicarious Visions: Name change: full Blizzard integration is pending

After the takeover by Blizzard Entertainment, the development studio Vicarious Visions will now be fully integrated into the cult developer and will change its name.

Vicarious Visions recently made a name for itself with the Crash Bandicoot N.Sane Trilogy and Diablo II: Resurrected, but the developer will probably appear under a new name in the future. Most recently, Blizzard Entertainment took over the studio and, according to a new report, this should now also be recognizable from the name.

According to a report, Vicarious Visions could therefore possibly appear as Blizzard Albany in the future, but this has not yet been officially confirmed. According to the employees, corresponding plans were communicated in a staff meeting; that’s what the colleagues report from Polygon.

Apart from the name, which will probably be changed in the future, Vicarious Visions will, by the way, continue to function as an independent studio. The mentioned potential name Blizzard Albany is likely because the studio is based in Albany, New York and Blizzard Entertainment usually gives its studios a combination of Blizzard and place name as a title.

The name change was no longer a big surprise for employees, but some criticized the lack of transparency regarding Activision Blizzard’s plans. In view of the ongoing investigations into bullying and harassment in the workplace as well as the changes that have been initiated as a result, one expected a more open approach by the management staff.

The other titles of Vicarious Visions in addition to the above also include Tony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 + 2 and the collaboration on the PC version of Destiny 2.