Activision discontinues Blur video game: Difference between revisions
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|Company=Activision Blizzard | |Company=Activision Blizzard | ||
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|Description=The game Blur cannot be legitimately purchased for no apparent reason. | |Description=The game Blur cannot be legitimately purchased for no apparent reason. | ||
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Blur is an arcade-style street racing game released on May 25, 2010 for Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blur |url=https://www.gamespot.com/games/blur/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 Nov 2025 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> It was discontinued in 2011 when the game studio behind Blur, Bizarre Creations, was shut down by [[Activision Blizzard|Activision]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Nov 2010 |title=Updated: Activision shutting down Bizarre and Budcat studios? |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/activision-shuts-down-bizarre-and-budcat-studios/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 Nov 2025 |website=PCGamer}}</ref><!-- find a better citation if possible, this one doesn't definitively mention the studio shutting down, and doesn't support the 2011 date besides inferring article date + 3 months. also need to clarify if the servers were shut down at the same time or not, and how much of the game's value was lost when the servers were shutdown. --> The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have been discontinued, and Blur has been delisted on [[Steam]], thus Blur is not for sale on any platform.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Nov 2018 |title=How can I buy this game legally? |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/0/3374780959389252968 |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Steam}}</ref> Blur servers have been brought back online as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Jan 2023 |title=Steam thread |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/0/3758850980071094166/?l=english |access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Steam}}</ref> | Blur is an arcade-style street racing game released on May 25, 2010 for Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Blur |url=https://www.gamespot.com/games/blur/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250818004301/https://www.gamespot.com/games/blur/ |archive-date=18 Aug 2025|access-date=21 Nov 2025 |website=GameSpot}}</ref> It was discontinued in 2011 when the game studio behind Blur, Bizarre Creations, was shut down by [[Activision Blizzard|Activision]].<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Nov 2010 |title=Updated: Activision shutting down Bizarre and Budcat studios? |url=https://www.pcgamer.com/activision-shuts-down-bizarre-and-budcat-studios/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260104011532/https://www.pcgamer.com/activision-shuts-down-bizarre-and-budcat-studios/ |archive-date=4 Jan 2026|access-date=21 Nov 2025 |website=PCGamer}}</ref><!-- find a better citation if possible, this one doesn't definitively mention the studio shutting down, and doesn't support the 2011 date besides inferring article date + 3 months. also need to clarify if the servers were shut down at the same time or not, and how much of the game's value was lost when the servers were shutdown. --> The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have been discontinued, and Blur has been delisted on [[Steam]], thus Blur is not for sale on any platform.<ref>{{Cite web |date=18 Nov 2018 |title=How can I buy this game legally? |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/0/3374780959389252968 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250814080920/https://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/0/3374780959389252968/ |archive-date=14 Aug 2025|access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Steam}}</ref> Blur servers have been brought back online as of 2023.<ref>{{Cite web |date=19 Jan 2023 |title=Steam thread |url=https://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/0/3758850980071094166/?l=english |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222203757/https://steamcommunity.com/app/42640/discussions/0/3758850980071094166/?l=english |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Steam}}</ref> | ||
==Background== | ==Background== | ||
Most platforms gave Blur favourable reviews.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2021-11-23 |title=GameFAQs reviews for blur |url=https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/960251-blur/reviews |url-status=live |access-date=2026-02-06 |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250427070803/https://gamefaqs.gamespot.com/pc/960251-blur/reviews |archive-date=27 Apr 2025|website=GameFAQs}}</ref> Blur sold 31,000 copies in the US in the first 5 days<ref>{{Cite web |date=2010-07-08 |title=Activison: Blur was not a failure |url=https://www.eurogamer.net/activision-blur-was-not-a-failure |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241009041632/https://www.eurogamer.net/activision-blur-was-not-a-failure |archive-date=9 Oct 2024|access-date=2025-11-23 |website=Eurogamer}}</ref> and sold a total of 500,000 copies by the time it was discontinued.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-11-23 |title=Article clipping from The Independent |url=https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/87964042 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250810003013/https://www.newspapers.com/article/the-independent/87964042/ |archive-date=10 Aug 2025|access-date=2025-11-23}}</ref> A sequel was planned, but was abandoned and never finished due to the closing of Bizarre Creations.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2024-04-04 |title=Blur 2 |url=https://kotaku.com/games/blur-2 |access-date=2026-02-06 |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20250623003725/https://kotaku.com/games/blur-2 |archive-date=23 Jun 2025|website=Kotaku}}</ref> An officially licensed free-to-play spin-off titled "Blur Overdrive" was released on November 1, 2013 by Marmalade Play.<ref>{{Cite web |author=Damien McFerran |date=2013-11-20 |title=Blur Overdrive Review |url=https://www.pocketgamer.com/blur-overdrive/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260222203936/https://www.pocketgamer.com/blur-overdrive/ |archive-date=22 Feb 2026|access-date=2026-01-05 |website=Pocketgamer.com}}</ref> | |||
==Discontinuation notice== | ==Discontinuation notice== | ||
Activision's statement:<blockquote>Over the past three years since our purchase of Bizarre Creations, the fundamentals of the racing genre have changed significantly. Although we made a substantial investment in creating a new IP, Blur, it did not find a commercial audience. Bizarre is a very talented team of developers; however, because of the broader economic factors impacting the market, we are exploring our options regarding the future of the studio, including a potential sale of the business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Nov 2010 |title=Activision Looking To Close Or Sell Bizarre Creations |url=https://worthplaying.com/article/2010/11/16/news/78258-activision-looking-to-close-or-sell-bizarre-creations/ |url-status=live |access-date=21 Nov 2025 |website=WorthPlaying}}</ref></blockquote> | Activision's statement:<blockquote>Over the past three years since our purchase of Bizarre Creations, the fundamentals of the racing genre have changed significantly. Although we made a substantial investment in creating a new IP, Blur, it did not find a commercial audience. Bizarre is a very talented team of developers; however, because of the broader economic factors impacting the market, we are exploring our options regarding the future of the studio, including a potential sale of the business.<ref>{{Cite web |date=16 Nov 2010 |title=Activision Looking To Close Or Sell Bizarre Creations |url=https://worthplaying.com/article/2010/11/16/news/78258-activision-looking-to-close-or-sell-bizarre-creations/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260206222947/https://worthplaying.com/article/2010/11/16/news/78258-activision-looking-to-close-or-sell-bizarre-creations/ |archive-date=6 Feb 2026|access-date=21 Nov 2025 |website=WorthPlaying}}</ref></blockquote> | ||
==Consumer response== | ==Consumer response== | ||
The consumer response to Activision discontinuing Blur was of disappointment. Players enjoyed the game's campaign mode and split-screen racing. The legal way to play Blur is to purchase a Steam key or obtain a physical disc, but this is difficult, as the game has been delisted on Steam. Because of this, many players have resorted to downloading the game on abandonware sites.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-26 |title=Reddit thread |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/patientgamers/comments/1fx72vx/while_a_commercial_failure_at_the_time_blur_is/ |access-date=2025-12-26 |website=Reddit}}</ref> | The consumer response to Activision discontinuing Blur was of disappointment. Players enjoyed the game's campaign mode and split-screen racing. The legal way to play Blur is to purchase a Steam key or obtain a physical disc, but this is difficult, as the game has been delisted on Steam. Because of this, many players have resorted to downloading the game on abandonware sites.<ref>{{Cite web |date=2025-12-26 |title=Reddit thread |url=https://www.reddit.com/r/patientgamers/comments/1fx72vx/while_a_commercial_failure_at_the_time_blur_is/ |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20241217064929/https://old.reddit.com/r/patientgamers/comments/1fx72vx/while_a_commercial_failure_at_the_time_blur_is/ |archive-date=17 Dec 2024|access-date=2025-12-26 |website=Reddit}}</ref> | ||
Unofficial servers for Blur are currently being hosted by the Amax Emu project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amax Emu |url=https://amax-emu.com/Dashboard |url-status=live |access-date=2025-12-27 |website=Amax Emu}}</ref> | Unofficial servers for Blur are currently being hosted by the Amax Emu project.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Amax Emu |url=https://amax-emu.com/Dashboard |url-status=live |archive-url=http://web.archive.org/web/20260204160712/https://amax-emu.com/Dashboard |archive-date=4 Feb 2026|access-date=2025-12-27 |website=Amax Emu}}</ref> | ||
==See also== | ==See also== | ||
Latest revision as of 18:30, 19 March 2026
Blur is an arcade-style street racing game released on May 25, 2010 for Windows, PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360.[1] It was discontinued in 2011 when the game studio behind Blur, Bizarre Creations, was shut down by Activision.[2] The PlayStation 3 and Xbox 360 have been discontinued, and Blur has been delisted on Steam, thus Blur is not for sale on any platform.[3] Blur servers have been brought back online as of 2023.[4]
Background
[edit | edit source]Most platforms gave Blur favourable reviews.[5] Blur sold 31,000 copies in the US in the first 5 days[6] and sold a total of 500,000 copies by the time it was discontinued.[7] A sequel was planned, but was abandoned and never finished due to the closing of Bizarre Creations.[8] An officially licensed free-to-play spin-off titled "Blur Overdrive" was released on November 1, 2013 by Marmalade Play.[9]
Discontinuation notice
[edit | edit source]Activision's statement:
Over the past three years since our purchase of Bizarre Creations, the fundamentals of the racing genre have changed significantly. Although we made a substantial investment in creating a new IP, Blur, it did not find a commercial audience. Bizarre is a very talented team of developers; however, because of the broader economic factors impacting the market, we are exploring our options regarding the future of the studio, including a potential sale of the business.[10]
Consumer response
[edit | edit source]The consumer response to Activision discontinuing Blur was of disappointment. Players enjoyed the game's campaign mode and split-screen racing. The legal way to play Blur is to purchase a Steam key or obtain a physical disc, but this is difficult, as the game has been delisted on Steam. Because of this, many players have resorted to downloading the game on abandonware sites.[11]
Unofficial servers for Blur are currently being hosted by the Amax Emu project.[12]
See also
[edit | edit source]References
[edit | edit source]- ↑ "Blur". GameSpot. Archived from the original on 18 Aug 2025. Retrieved 21 Nov 2025.
- ↑ "Updated: Activision shutting down Bizarre and Budcat studios?". PCGamer. 16 Nov 2010. Archived from the original on 4 Jan 2026. Retrieved 21 Nov 2025.
- ↑ "How can I buy this game legally?". Steam. 18 Nov 2018. Archived from the original on 14 Aug 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
- ↑ "Steam thread". Steam. 19 Jan 2023. Archived from the original on 22 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
- ↑ "GameFAQs reviews for blur". GameFAQs. 2021-11-23. Archived from the original on 27 Apr 2025. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ↑ "Activison: Blur was not a failure". Eurogamer. 2010-07-08. Archived from the original on 9 Oct 2024. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
- ↑ "Article clipping from The Independent". 2025-11-23. Archived from the original on 10 Aug 2025. Retrieved 2025-11-23.
- ↑ "Blur 2". Kotaku. 2024-04-04. Archived from the original on 23 Jun 2025. Retrieved 2026-02-06.
- ↑ Damien McFerran (2013-11-20). "Blur Overdrive Review". Pocketgamer.com. Archived from the original on 22 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2026-01-05.
- ↑ "Activision Looking To Close Or Sell Bizarre Creations". WorthPlaying. 16 Nov 2010. Archived from the original on 6 Feb 2026. Retrieved 21 Nov 2025.
- ↑ "Reddit thread". Reddit. 2025-12-26. Archived from the original on 17 Dec 2024. Retrieved 2025-12-26.
- ↑ "Amax Emu". Amax Emu. Archived from the original on 4 Feb 2026. Retrieved 2025-12-27.