---
title: "Franchise general manager structure"
description: "Blizzard's 2020s reorganisation modelled on Call of Duty."
canonical: https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/play-nice/franchise-general-manager-structure/
updated: 2026-11-03
---

# Franchise general manager structure

> Blizzard's 2020s reorganisation modelled on Call of Duty.

Jason Schreier's framework, from Play Nice, pp. 200 to 303.

Framework 14 of 15 from [Play Nice](https://tomsharman.com/bookshelf/play-nice/index.md) by Jason Schreier. Category: Content and packaging.

## The steps

1. **Appoint a GM per franchise.** Warcraft, Diablo and Overwatch each get a general manager.
2. **Split live and new.** A live team runs patches and seasons while others build expansions and new games.
3. **Plan ten years.** Diablo IV gets a decade long content roadmap.
4. **Shuffle at deadlines.** People move across teams when a release approaches.

## Where it comes from

From chapter: PART THREE: FUTURE, pp. 200–303

## The animation

24 seconds, 4:5, no sound.

- MP4: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/play-nice/franchise-general-manager-structure.mp4
- MP4, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/play-nice/franchise-general-manager-structure-dark.mp4
- Still: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/play-nice/franchise-general-manager-structure.png
- Still, dark: https://tomsharman-downloads-006143767029.s3.eu-north-1.amazonaws.com/downloads/bookshelf/play-nice/franchise-general-manager-structure-dark.png