Platform Ecosystem Competition in the Digital Age: Battle.net and the Evolution of Risk‐Based Platform Governance

This paper introduces a novel perspective on platform competition by examining how risk governance shapes competitive outcomes in platform ecosystems. While existing research often focuses on direct competition between platforms, this paper argues that competition in platform environments operates through multiple layers, creating complex risk landscapes that require sophisticated governance approaches. A theoretical framework is developed from the platform governance and competition literature and illustrated through the longitudinal evolution of Battle.net . The findings indicate that platforms function as meta‐organizations where competitive dynamics can vary between individual elements and the overarching ecosystem, necessitating adaptive risk governance strategies. The framework reveals how platforms must balance competitive pressures with risk management, particularly as they evolve from market competitors to ecosystem orchestrators. Effective risk governance emerges as a key competitive advantage, enabling platforms to address technological and social risks while maintaining market position. This research contributes to understanding modern platform competition by highlighting how risk governance capabilities influence competitive success in increasingly complex digital ecosystems.