AT&T to Power World of Warcraft, Diablo III, and StarCraft II
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Blizzard Entertainment Awards Multimillion Dollar Contract to AT&T
Signs Global Call Center Support and Content Distribution Network Services Deal and Awards AT&T North American Hosting Contract
Irvine, California, May 18, 2010
AT&T* today announced that it has reached an agreement with industry-leading game developer and publisher Blizzard Entertainment for a new multimillion dollar multi-year, multi-services contract. Under the terms of the contract, AT&T and Blizzard expand their 10-year relationship, with AT&T serving as a provider of hosting services for Blizzard in North America in addition to providing voice and data services for Global Call Center Support and Content Distribution Network (CDN) services.
Blizzard will use AT&T Enterprise Hosting Services delivered via AT&T's Internet Data Centers to host its online games, including the world's most popular subscription-based massively multiplayer online role-playing game World of Warcraft®, as well as current and upcoming games in the company's popular StarCraft® and Diablo® universes. AT&T will also provide Blizzard with the needed connectivity to support its online games.
AT&T's hosting and management capabilities provide a global, scalable, reliable and flexible infrastructure which helps create a rich and entertaining online gaming experience for Blizzard gamers. In addition, AT&T will provide proactive, 24/7 monitoring and management of the technology infrastructure that supports Blizzard's online games, provided by the AT&T Gaming Core Team.
AT&T's Gaming Core Team was formed in 2004 to meet the infrastructure needs of customers' gaming operations across AT&T's Internet Protocol (IP) network. The team consists of dedicated engineers and hosting specialists who provide around-the-clock support to companies offering massively multiplayer online games. The team provides global, end-to-end support of customers' gaming operations across AT&T's hosting infrastructure, applications and IP network, and is highly trained in trouble resolution, incident command and control, post incident review and root cause analysis.
(Over the years, AT&T has demonstrated that it understands the needs of our business,) said Paul Sams, Chief Operating Officer of Blizzard Entertainment. (The services and support AT&T provides have helped us to consistently deliver high-quality online-gaming experiences to our players.)
AT&T will also provide call center support for Blizzard's call centers around the world including the U.S., Europe and Asia. Multiple voice services, domestic and international, to support gamers' customer service calls, and billing are now supported by AT&T's global network.
Additionally, Blizzard will utilize AT&T Intelligent Content Distribution ServiceSM (ICDS), a network-based Content Delivery Network (CDN) service that replicates information across the Internet, to quickly and reliably transmit patches and content updates to its players.
(By extending and expanding their 10-year relationship with us, Blizzard Entertainment has cast another vote of confidence in our deep understanding of their strategy and our ability to help them maintain and grow their industry leadership,) said Ron Spears, president and chief executive officer of AT&T Business Solutions.
*AT&T products and services are provided or offered by subsidiaries and affiliates of AT&T Inc. under the AT&T brand and not by AT&T Inc.
About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® series, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment's track record includes eleven #1-selling games and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.
About AT&T
AT&T Inc. (NYSE:T) is a premier communications holding company. Its subsidiaries and affiliates AT&T operating companies are the providers of AT&T services in the United States and around the world. With a powerful array of network resources that includes the nation's fastest 3G network, AT&T is a leading provider of wireless, Wi-Fi, high speed Internet and voice services. A leader in mobile broadband, AT&T also offers the best wireless coverage worldwide, offering the most wireless phones that work in the most countries. It also offers advanced TV services under the AT&T U-verseSM and AT&T |DIRECTVSM brands. The company's suite of IP-based business communications services is one of the most advanced in the world. In domestic markets, AT&T Advertising Solutions and AT&T Interactive are known for their leadership in local search and advertising. In 2010, AT&T again ranked among the 50 Most Admired Companies by FORTUNE® magazine.
