All articles tagged with #blizzcon
A Switch 2 port of Diablo 4 is reportedly releasing on September 15 and will bundle the Vessel of Hatred and Lord of Hatred expansions, per leaker billbil-kun via ResetEra, with the date tied to BlizzCon’s timing.
Internal emails show Blizzard ended FY26 as the top‑performing Xbox studio, with Overwatch delivering its strongest quarter since 2022 and Diablo 4 driving growth, marking Blizzard’s third-highest annual top-line revenue and its first consecutive quarters of growth since Overwatch’s 2016 launch, even as Xbox faces layoffs and BlizzCon 2026 looms.
Microsoft announced over 6,000 job cuts across the company, with Xbox taking a sizable hit, but Blizzard appears to have escaped the largest reductions so far. Blizzard President Johanna Faries emailed staff acknowledging a difficult day while reaffirming Blizzard’s focus on its franchises, noting BlizzCon isn’t expected to be canceled as internal changes unfold and more details are anticipated.
A Kotaku piece reports rumors that Blizzard is developing a new World of Warcraft Classic project nicknamed Classic+, a revamped vanilla experience with new zones, quests, and gameplay tweaks aimed at recapturing the original game’s slower pace and sense of discovery. While evidence cited includes private-server takedowns, datamining of “Project Camelot,” a 2025 yearbook tease, and Classic streamers visiting Blizzard, there’s no official confirmation yet. If real, Classic+ would focus on nostalgia-forward changes rather than a retail-style overhaul, with BlizzCon 2026 anticipated to potentially reveal more.
Blizzard says there will be no Hearthstone 2, clarifying that a BlizzCon 2026 reveal will be bigger than usual but not a new game. The Hearthstone expansion Cataclysm is coming March 17, bringing new mechanics and Colossals, plus a temporary unlock of cards from recent sets. The company also reiterates Hearthstone won’t be on consoles or handhelds yet, though platform considerations—potentially influenced by Microsoft—are being explored for the future.
Blizzard Entertainment is planning a major 2026, celebrating its 35th anniversary with key events including the return of BlizzCon, new updates for Diablo IV, the launch of the 'Midnight' expansion for World of Warcraft, and the 10th anniversary of Overwatch, signaling a bold and modernized future for the company.
At BlizzCon, Blizzard announced three upcoming expansions for World of Warcraft, collectively known as "The Worldsoul Saga," which will span the next six or seven years. The first expansion, War Within, will focus on Anduin Wrynn, a beloved character who has grown and evolved alongside players over the past two decades. Anduin's return in War Within, with a new look and a burden of doubts and regrets, marks a significant milestone for the game's 20th anniversary. His story reflects the evolution of World of Warcraft itself, allowing players to witness a living, breathing creation that has developed and flourished over a significant part of their lives.
BlizzCon 2023 showcased a variety of elaborate cosplays based on Blizzard's games, including Overwatch 2, World of Warcraft, and Diablo 4. The event marked the return of in-person conventions and featured announcements of new expansions for World of Warcraft, a new hero for Overwatch 2, and a forthcoming expansion for Diablo 4. Cosplayers displayed their meticulously crafted costumes, ranging from characters like Junker Queen and Inarius to World of Warcraft quest givers.
Blizzard revealed new heroes coming to Overwatch 2, including the game's first nonbinary hero named Venture, a Canadian "swashbuckling archeologist" who wields a massive drill. Venture can burrow underground, attack from beneath, and has an explosive projectile and dash move. The next support hero, codenamed Space Ranger, was also teased, along with an unnamed tank hero.
Diablo 4 fans were left underwhelmed after Blizzard's campfire chat at BlizzCon, as the developers were not ready to share much about the future of the game. While some plans were discussed, such as a seasonal event and weekly leaderboards, fans felt it was not enough and criticized the lack of information about the upcoming expansion. Many felt that Blizzard missed an opportunity to capitalize on the game's recent positive feedback and address concerns about its unfinished state.
Blizzard announced that Diablo IV will receive its first expansion titled "Vessel of Hatred," set to launch in late 2024, featuring a new jungle-like region and a new class. Additionally, World of Warcraft Classic will revisit the Cataclysm expansion, while the modern live game will receive three expansions as part of "The Worldsoul Saga," starting with "The War Within" next year. The expansions will introduce new zones, dungeons, raids, and improvements to the flying experience, with a focus on convenience for players with multiple characters.
BlizzCon 2023's opening ceremony featured updates on various Blizzard games, including World of Warcraft's new saga called The War Within, the announcement of Cataclysm Classic for World of Warcraft Classic, previews of new heroes and game modes for Overwatch 2, a glimpse at Diablo 4's upcoming expansion Vessel of Hatred, details on Hearthstone's Showdown in the Badlands expansion and co-op Battlegrounds mode, the release of the mobile game Warcraft Rumble, and Xbox chief Phil Spencer laying out a mission statement for the future collaboration between Xbox and Blizzard.
World of Warcraft's three-expansion Worldsoul Saga was announced at BlizzCon, featuring The War Within, Midnight, and The Last Titan. The expansions will explore familiar parts of Azeroth, with The War Within focusing on the reaction caused by Sargeras' sword, Midnight delving into a clash between the Void and the forces of Light, and The Last Titan unveiling the secrets of the Titans. The Saga promises a cosmic war between Void and Light, with new features and zones to be introduced in the upcoming expansions.
Blizzard announces the next three expansions in World of Warcraft, collectively known as World of Warcraft: The Worldsoul Saga, at BlizzCon 2023. The first expansion, titled "The War Within," will be released next year and will take players to subterranean kingdoms. The second expansion, "Midnight," will focus on Void forces invading Quel'thalas, while the third expansion, "The Last Titan," will explore a conspiracy surrounding the Titans in Northrend. A new cinematic teases the resolution of the giant sword plunged into Azeroth. The current expansion, Dragonflight, has been well-received, and a new patch, Guardians of the Emerald Dream, is set to release soon.
At BlizzCon 2023, World of Warcraft Executive Producer announced that WoW Classic will progress to Cataclysm Classic in 2024, featuring changes based on player feedback. Players can expect to face Deathwing in the first half of 2024.