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Activision Blizzard
Activision Blizzard create the most epic interactive gaming and entertainment experiences on earth immersing players in new, unimagined worlds. The entertainment giant is responsible for a number of household-name brands including Call of Duty®, Crash BandicootTM, SpyroTM, World of WarcraftTM, DiabloTM, and Overwatch® .
After almost 20 years, Call of Duty has cemented itself as one of the biggest franchises of all time, selling over 400 million copies in over 170 countries across the globe.
Call of Duty: VanguardTM is the latest premium title in the franchise, released in November 2021.
Separate to the premium game, Activision has diversified the franchise making it accessible to all. This includes offering fans a ‘Free to Play’ platform in the form of its Battle Royale, WarzoneTM, as well as a ‘go anywhere, play anywhere’ mobile title, Call of Duty: MobileTM .
Call of Duty products can be found in mass and specialty stores across ANZ. Local partner Caprice is developing new and exciting ranges for both channels in key categories such as apparel, bedding and footwear.
One of the most popular and iconic mascots to have ever graced our screens is a small eastern barred bandicoot named Crash. With over 24 years of heritage, Crash Bandicoot is as big as ever, and back like never before.
With the successful ‘90s-era Crash Trilogy being remastered in 2017, the hype of Crash Team Racing, and the recent release of Crash 4, aptly named ‘It’s About Time’, enthusiasm for the brand never ceases.
In March 2021, Activision introduced Crash Bandicoot: On the Run!, a mobile game version, that since launch has been downloaded over 30 million times.
With its multigenerational appeal, Crash has been enjoyed by over 14.5 million unique players and is loved by its Gen Z audience of 18-25 year-olds, as well as a growing kidult audience of 25 – 40 year-olds.
Headstart International joined the Crash program in 2020, signing on as a global Toy Partner. Launching in Canada in January 2022, Headstart has seen great success with their collectable figures. Later this year, they will also launch plush toys, radio-control vehicles and diorama sets.
Streetwear specialists, Threadheads, a Melbourne-based print-on-demand business, has taken on Crash, Spyro and the Activision Classics, launching a new range in February 2022.
Fans will remember this adorable ‘90s gaming icon, Spyro! Spyro the DragonTM is one of the most high-profile video gaming franchises out there. Having been popular for more than 20 years, this mischievous little dragon made his fiery return back in November 2018 with the original gaming trilogy re-released, including the classic Spyro the Dragon, Spyro 2: Ripto’s Rage! TM and Spyro: Year of the DragonTM . Spyro is available across all console and PC platforms and provides unique opportunities across mass and specialty retailers.
To round out the Activision portfolio, Merchantwise has the pleasure of representing iconic classic titles such as Pitfall TM , KaboomTM, Grand Prix and River RaidTM in ANZ.
New to the Merchantwise portfolio, Overwatch, World of Warcraft, and Diablo are the perfect titles to round out a diverse Activision Blizzard portfolio.
Overwatch is a vibrant team-based online multiplayer game that invites players to engage in action-packed combat throughout key landmarks around the world. Players choose between a diverse cast of Heroes each featuring their own unique set of abilities, captivating backstories, and personalities.
Launched in May 2016, Overwatch quickly became a fan-favourite amongst the gaming community, with over 60 million players globally. Blizzard has successfully launched a range of consumer product partnerships with Forever 21, Pull & Bear, Paladone and retail partner Uniqlo. Merchantwise will be announcing the first ANZ partnerships in the next few months.
Launched in 2004, World of Warcraft is a massive online multiplayer role-playing game (MMORPG) in which players around the globe assume the roles of heroic fantasy characters and explore Azeroth, a world full of mystery, magic, and endless adventure. The game is often revered as one of the most successful PC games of all time, spawning multiple spin-offs, and franchises, including a blockbuster movie, best-selling novels, board games, and has been an enduring pop culture phenomenon amongst millions of fans worldwide.
In 2020, World of Warcraft launched its newest expansion, World of Warcraft: Shadowlands, which immediately became the fastest-selling PC game of all time – a true testament to the game’s everlasting success.
Millions of players identify with World of Warcraft and integrate it into their everyday lives. Recent partnerships include apparel, gaming chairs, microphones, peripherals, fast food chains, custom phones, statues, accessories, and more.
Diablo is an action role-playing game of good versus evil that takes place in the dark fantasy world of Sanctuary. As unique heroes, players traverse Sanctuary on a quest to slay the hordes of Hell in an epic fast-paced combat.
Long-time fans of Diablo – get excited! Blizzard will be launching Diablo Immortal, an upcoming free-to-play mobile game set within the Diablo universe during the course of 2022.
Diablo merchandise is available at gaming and pop culture stores, including EB Games.
© 2022 Activision Publishing, Inc. ACTIVISION, CALL OF DUTY, CALL OF DUTY VANGUARD, CALL OF DUTY WARZONE, WARZONE, CRASH BANDICOOT, CRASH TEAM RACING, CRASH: ON THE RUN!, CRASH, SPYRO, SPYRO REIGNITED TRILOGY, SPYRO THE DRAGON, SPYRO 2 RIPTO’S RAGE!, SPYRO YEAR OF THE DRAGON, Pitfall TM, KaboomTM, Grand Prix and River RaidTM are trademarks of Activision Publishing, Inc. © 2022 Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. All rights reserved. Overwatch, World of Warcraft, Warcraft, WoW and Diablo are trademarks or registered trademarks of Blizzard Entertainment, Inc., in the U.S. and/or other countries. All other trademarks referenced herein are the properties of their respective owners. Statistics based on Activision internal estimates.