Activision CEO Eric Hirshberg Believes ESports 'Could Be A Big Part Of Gaming' Moving Forward (Q&A)

Activision Blizzard is making news today with its first official details on Destiny, the first new original game franchise from Bungie since it launched Halo into pop culture. While it’s too early to tell what, if any, impact Destiny multiplayer could have on the eSports scene, Treyarch has dedicated a lot of time and money into Call of Duty: Black Ops II specifically for pro gaming. And Blizzard Entertainment has focused on eSports with StarCraft II, which is one of the top global eSports games behind Riot Games League of Legends.

Eric Hirshberg, CEO of Activision Publishing, talks about the growing importance of eSports in developing game franchises and explains why he believes eSports could be a big part of the overall video game industry moving forward in this exclusive interview.

[majiebeast]

I hope not. I already fear for the fate of the single player game next gen.

[Reborn]

I dont think most would have a problem with it. If every game with some form of MP, wasn't attempting to be COD.

Nonetheless, if there is money to be made from it (which there is), it will move forward.

[Hufandpuf]

Fighting games are more of a spectating game than FPS because you can see both sides of the opposition without having to cut back and forth between players. Also the fighting games are easier to follow and hard to perfect. If MLG focused more of the FGC instead of FPS games full of teams that nobody knows about Then I think the Esports scene would grow.

[muttley65]

what happen to BOBBY KOTICK??????

DID THE DEVIL SWALLOW HIM UP.

@ oo

haaaaaaaa really!! i take that dive myself haaaaaa

[00]

He drowned in his pool of money.

[Ticklez]

None of these games take any real skill to play... You want hardcore gamer, check out Socom players.. Most awareness and best skillful players ever..

[Reverent]

I loved Socom and everything, but I think Counter Strike's got it beat in that department.

[BX81]

Yeah I played the last socom and lame head shots are a regular. The game doesn't require that much skill.

[hano]

It's always Jews that run Activision, isn't it?

Before you call me a racist or whatever, I'm pointing out the obvious.

[CrescentFang]

Hmm, but are Jews a race? I don't think you are "technically" being racist.
Also I thought Jewish people are the most common type of people running companies/businesses.

[hano]

Well,

If it becomes a trend then there's definitely something wrong. What you say is that CEO jobs are majorly reserved for a certain group of people.
If it is a given that a group of people always get a job you have to ask why? Is it favoritism or qualifications?

Anyway, in the case of Activision, Bobby Kotick really strengthen the stereotypes you hear about Jews. What happened to him? Did he go back to being Satan? The CEO of hell?

[muttley65]

@ FANG

they part of the illuminati thats why they run every damn thing.

[jagiii]

Activision is once again giving up $1 million for any gamer good enough at COD.