how would you measure the success of activision blizzard's battle.net platform?

Introduction

Measuring the success of Activision Blizzard's Battle.net platform requires a comprehensive approach that considers multiple stakeholders and metrics. As a digital distribution and social networking platform for Activision Blizzard games, Battle.net plays a crucial role in the company's ecosystem. I'll outline a structured framework to evaluate its success, covering core metrics, supporting indicators, and risk factors while considering all key stakeholders.

Step 1

Product Context

Battle.net is Activision Blizzard's proprietary online gaming platform that serves as a digital distribution service, multiplayer platform, and social network for the company's games. Key stakeholders include:

1. Gamers: Seeking seamless access to games, social features, and a stable gaming environment.
2. Game developers: Requiring a robust platform for game distribution and player engagement.
3. Activision Blizzard: Aiming to maximize revenue, player retention, and cross-game synergies.
4. Advertisers and partners: Looking for exposure to a large, engaged gaming audience.

User flow typically involves account creation, game purchase/download, friend connections, and gameplay across various titles. Battle.net competes with platforms like Steam, Epic Games Store, and console-specific networks.

In terms of product lifecycle, Battle.net is in a mature stage but continually evolving to support new games and features. It's a critical component of Activision Blizzard's digital-first strategy, facilitating direct relationships with players and reducing reliance on third-party distributors.

Software-specific considerations:

• Platform integration with various game engines and technologies
• Regular updates and maintenance to ensure security and performance
• Cloud infrastructure to support millions of concurrent users