Blizzard certainly don't have any worries about their finances, even in the current economical climate. This is good news for those of us who enjoy their games, but it's also good for smaller companies who are associated with Blizzard. With well known retailers and manufacturers going into receivership all around us, a little business in Florida with 14 employees is flourishing, and no doubt their ties to Blizzard are partly to thank for it.
Epic Weapons CEO J. Jason Dieterle and marketing manager Emily King are ready to battle with the Frostmourne Swords they sell at Epic Weapons in Melbourne.
Epic Weapons are the people who make and sell Frostmourne, the real-life replica of Arthas' infamous runeblade. Collectors can buy the sword from their site for USD 379 to USD 479 each now. Epic Weapons also sell other replica items from films and TV shows, and their revenue for this year is expected to exceed 2 million USD.
Despite the slow economy, the 14-employee company is having a good year, thanks to the eager spending of collectors and game and movie buffs throughout the United States and overseas. One of its featured products is Frostmourne, the "legendary" sword wielded by Prince Arthas Menethil in Blizzard Entertainment's hugely popular epic-style video game, World of Warcraft. The company has a licensing agreement with Irvin, Calif.,-based Blizzard to sell replicas from its video games.
"We believe the gaming industry is very logical" for a successful business formula, said Hawkins, the company's chairman. "We take something from inside a game and make it real."
After such a roaring success, can we expect to see another replica sword from the game any time soon, and if so, which sword will it be? In August, Blizzard took out the patent to sell none other than Ashbringer, the sword that will almost certainly have a key part in bringing the Lich King down. So, what legendary weapons do you wanna collect?
Ashbringer
Warglaive of Azzinoth
Thunderfury, Blessed Blade of the Windseeker
