AzerothCompass — World of Warcraft history / Geschichte As of / Stand: 2026-11-07 Original prose / Eigene redaktionelle Texte: DE + EN Timeline spacing is schematic, not a proportional timescale. Zeitleiste schematisch, keine proportionale Zeitachse. [1] Activision Blizzard: Who We Are official corporate history https://www.activisionblizzard.com/who-we-are [2] Davidson stock split / directors release, 7 August 1995 contemporary issuer press release preserved on unofficial archival mirror https://www.blizzardarchive.com/pub/index.php?id=press950807 [3] Get Warcraft: Orcs & Humans on Battle.net now Blizzard original publication https://news.blizzard.com/en-us/article/24055599/get-warcraft-orcs-humans-on-battle-net-now [4] Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-gb/story/timeline/chapter-2 [5] John Staats: Making WoW – Learning from the Mistakes of Nomad first-person developer essay, hosted on Wowhead; do not cite Wowhead editorial as the authority https://www.wowhead.com/classic/news/making-wow-learning-from-the-mistakes-of-nomad-ama-with-author-john-staats-301530 [6] Blizzard announces World of Warcraft, 2 September 2001 (original press release preserved by RPGDot) Archived primary press release / Archivierte Originalpressemitteilung https://rpgdot.rpgwatch.com/localhost/rpgdot.rpgwatch.com/httpdocs/index40da.html?hsaction=10077&newsid=3226 [7] Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/story/timeline/chapter-4 [8] Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/story/timeline/chapter-5 [9] World of Warcraft Subscriber Base Reaches 12 Million Worldwide Blizzard original publication https://investor.activisionblizzard.com/static-files/2ccd2aa0-ac18-4da2-9f3e-21fb55558944 [10] Blizzard: European street date, 2 February 2005 (original press release preserved by RPGDot) Archived primary press release / Archivierte Originalpressemitteilung https://rpgdot.rpgwatch.com/localhost/rpgdot.rpgwatch.com/httpdocs/indexd63f.html?hsaction=10077&newsid=35868 [11] World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade Shatters Day-1 Sales Record Blizzard original publication https://www.vivendi.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/wowx-global-day-one-sales-media-alert-1-19-06-final-v6-clean-us.pdf [12] Vivendi 2006 Sustainable Development Report Blizzard original publication https://www.vivendi.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/20070711-sustainable-development-report.pdf [13] World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic Deep Dive Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23625673/world-of-warcraft-burning-crusade-classic-deep-dive [14] World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King in Stores Starting November 13, 2008 Blizzard original publication https://www.vivendi.com/wp-content/uploads/2008/09/pr-20080915-wow.pdf [15] Activision Blizzard Announces Q3 2015 Financial Results Blizzard original publication https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718877/000110465915075068/a15-22145_1ex99d2.htm [16] The Impending Cataclysm Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/1055008/the-impending-cataclysm [17] World of Warcraft: Cataclysm Official Strategy Guide Preview Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/1339119 [18] Mists of Pandaria Launches September 25, 2012 – Pre-Sales NOW OPEN Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/6771526/mists-of-pandaria-launches-september-25-2012-pre-sales-now-open [19] 5.0.4 and Mists of Pandaria Survival Guide Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/7045643 [20] Warlords of Draenor Launches 13/11 Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-gb/news/15053029/warlords-of-draenor%E2%84%A2-launches-1311-watch-the-cinematic-lords-of-war-part-1-now [21] Garrison Preview Part3 – Who Are You Calling Your People? Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-gb/news/16218937/garrison-preview-part-3-who-are-you-calling-your-people [22] Warlords of Draenor Facial Customization Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-gb/news/15910700/warlords-of-draenor-facial-customization-ready-for-your-close-up [23] World of Warcraft: Legion Patch Notes Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20151961 [24] Preview: Mythic Keystones Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/20271497 [25] To the WoW Community archived primary statement https://www.bluetracker.gg/wow/topic/us-en/20743584206-to-the-wow-community/ [26] World of Warcraft at BlizzCon 2017 official announcement https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/21182074/world-of-warcraft-at-blizzcon-2017 [27] Battle for Azeroth Arrives August14 Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/21669948/battle-for-azeroth-arrives-august-14 [28] Battle for Azeroth Patch Notes Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/21959894/battle-for-azeroth-patch-notes [29] BlizzCon Q&A Additional Questions official developer Q&A https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/22757604/blizzcon-qa-additional-questions [30] World of Warcraft Classic FAQ: What You Need to Know Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-gb/news/23090136 [31] Explore the Updates Arriving with the Shadowlands Pre-Expansion Patch Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23523206/explore-the-updates-arriving-with-the-shadowlands-pre-expansion-patch [32] Shadowlands Arrives November23 Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23558953/shadowlands-arrives-november-23 [33] 9.1.5 Content Update Notes official patch notes https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23731242/updated-november-1-915-content-update-notes [34] Shadowlands: The 9.1.5 Content Update is Now Live! official release announcement https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23738001/shadowlands-the-915-content-update-is-now-live [35] Shadowlands9.2.5ContentUpdateNotes Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23789456 [36] Activision Blizzard SEC Form 8-K, event 9 July 2008 issuer SEC filing https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/718877/000110465908045739/a08-18354_18k.htm [37] Microsoft SEC Form 8-K, 13 October 2023 issuer SEC filing https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/789019/000119312523255762/d537928d8k.htm [38] Microsoft Annual Report 2026 official current annual report https://www.microsoft.com/investor/reports/ar26/index.html [39] Cendant SEC 10-K/A, July 1996 Davidson merger issuer SEC filing https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/723612/000091205702032089/a2084798z10-ka.htm [40] SEC Cendant Corporation administrative order, 14 June 2000 regulator findings https://www.sec.gov/enforcement-litigation/administrative-proceedings/34-42933 [41] Cendant SEC Form 8-K, reported 24 November 1998, event 20 November predecessor issuer filing on successor investor-relations server https://avisbudgetgroup.gcs-web.com/static-files/5329623b-539f-43fe-8ed7-2008a5e756e8 [42] Cendant SEC filing, 21 April 2000 predecessor issuer filing on successor investor-relations server https://avisbudgetgroup.gcs-web.com/static-files/37d3db83-2834-4f09-a3db-cc7368397eb2 [43] Vivendi and Activision Complete Transaction to Create Activision Blizzard, 10 July 2008 official issuer announcement https://investor.activision.com/news-releases/news-release-details/vivendi-and-activision-complete-transaction-create-activision [44] Vivendi completes divestment of majority of Activision Blizzard stake, 11 October 2013 official seller announcement https://www.vivendi.com/en/press-release/vivendi-completes-divestment-of-majority-of-activision-blizzard-stake-receives-8-2billion-in-cash/ [45] Vivendi: unwinding of hedge and disposal of Activision Blizzard shares, 15 January 2016 official seller announcement in French https://www.vivendi.com/communique/vivendi-debouclage-de-la-couverture-et-cession-des-titres-activision-blizzard/ [46] Microsoft to acquire Activision Blizzard, 18 January 2022 official buyer announcement https://news.microsoft.com/source/2022/01/18/microsoft-to-acquire-activision-blizzard-to-bring-the-joy-and-community-of-gaming-to-everyone-across-every-device/ [47] Ubisoft completion of Activision Blizzard cloud streaming rights transaction, 13 October 2023 official Ubisoft announcement https://staticctf.ubisoft.com/8aefmxkxpxwl/2BQerZVC87jjkgdSnMHq1w/0b626e4f3e5e0940841955cf8c3449d9/Ubisoft_Streaming_Announce_Press_Release_EN_Clean2.pdf [48] World of Warcraft: Dragonflight Now Live! Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23873409 [49] World of Warcraft News and Development Updates Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23823432 [50] World of Warcraft: The War Within Goes Live August26! Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24107633 [51] TWiW:TheWarWithinPre-ExpansionisNowLive Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24115320 [52] World of Warcraft: Midnight Goes Live March2! Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24243639/world-of-warcraft-midnight%E2%84%A2-goes-live-march-2 [53] Unlock a Year of World of Warcraft and Get Bonus Treasures Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24310658 [54] Mists of Pandaria Classic Arrives July21 Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24204923/world-of-warcraft-mists-of-pandaria-classic-arrives-july-21 [55] WoW Weekly: Midnight Draws Near, Last Weekend of Legion Remix, and More! Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24256617 [56] This Week in WoW: August21,2023 Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/23991796/this-week-in-wow-august-21-2023 [57] Carve a New Path with World of Warcraft: Forever Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-gb/news/24302093 [58] World of Warcraft: Forever Goes Live Globally November4! Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24315820/world-of-warcraft-forever-goes-live-globally-november-4 [59] World of Warcraft at BlizzCon2026 News Round-Up Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24301145/world-of-warcraft-at-blizzcon-2026-news-round-up [60] Everything Announced at BlizzCon2026 Opening Ceremony Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24301453 [61] Midnight Content Update Notes Blizzard original publication https://worldofwarcraft.blizzard.com/en-us/news/24244646 [62] Davidson acquires Chaos Studios, 28 February 1994 contemporary issuer press release preserved on unofficial archival mirror https://www.blizzardarchive.com/pub/index.php?id=press940228 [63] Cendant SEC-filed presentation, 25 February 1998 predecessor issuer filing on successor investor-relations server https://avisbudgetgroup.gcs-web.com/static-files/8f481bdc-b99d-43b9-9a35-c5eccd0abc36 [64] Vivendi Universal SEC exhibit, 2002 buyer SEC filing https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1127055/000095012302003774/y59644ex99-1.htm [65] Creation of Vivendi Universal, 8 December 2000 issuer announcement filed with SEC https://www.sec.gov/Archives/edgar/data/1127055/000089882200000988/0002.txt [66] Welcoming Activision Blizzard King to Team Xbox, 13 October 2023 official buyer announcement https://blogs.microsoft.com/blog/2023/10/13/welcoming-the-legendary-teams-at-activision-blizzard-king-to-team-xbox/ [67] Regarding real names in forums archived primary statement https://www.bluetracker.gg/wow/topic/us-en/25968987278-regarding-real-names-in-forums/ [68] Message from J. Allen Brack archived primary statement https://www.bluetracker.gg/wow/topic/gb-en/12822492167-message-from-j-allen-brack/ [69] CRD Files Proposed Consent Decree in $54 Million Activision Blizzard Settlement Agreement regulator announcement https://calcivilrights.ca.gov/2023/12/21/civil-rights-department-files-proposed-consent-decree-in-54-million-activision-blizzard-settlement-agreement/ [70] Court Approves EEOC’s $18 Million Settlement with Activision Blizzard regulator announcement https://www.eeoc.gov/newsroom/court-approves-eeocs-18-million-settlement-activision-blizzard [71] Activision Blizzard to Pay $35 Million for Failing to Maintain Disclosure Controls Related to Complaints of Workplace Misconduct and Violating Whistleblower Protection Rule regulator findings/settlement announcement https://www.sec.gov/newsroom/press-releases/2023-22 [72] NetEase Announces Non-Renewal of Licenses with Blizzard licensee corporate announcement https://ir.netease.com/node/13806 [73] Blizzard Entertainment and NetEase Renew Agreement to Bring Beloved Titles Back to China; Microsoft Gaming, NetEase Enter Broader Collaboration joint corporate announcement https://ir.netease.com/news-releases/news-release-details/blizzard-entertainment-and-netease-renew-agreement-bring-beloved [74] Statement from CWA Following Layoffs in Microsoft Gaming affected worker-union statement https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/statement-cwa-following-layoffs-microsoft-gaming [75] World of Warcraft Employees Gain Union Recognition with Communications Workers of America union recognition announcement https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/world-warcraft-employees-gain-union-recognition-communications-workers-america [76] Blizzard Entertainment Workers Ratify Historic Video Game Contracts with CWA union contract-ratification announcement https://cwa-union.org/news/releases/blizzard-entertainment-workers-ratify-historic-video-game-contracts-cwa