BlizzCon 2015: Opening Ceremony
Nov. 6 11:00 AM PDT
"World of Warcraft"
The Burning Legion returns in "World of Warcraft: Legion" Summer 2016. If you pre-order "Legion," you have access to the demon-hunter class before the release.
There's another soul stirring in the void .. a soul that hates the Legion more than anyone. Illidan Stormrage is returning. And you know what? Illidan's pissed, too. Chris Metzen, "World of Warcraft" Lead Game Designer
"Overwatch"
We feel like the dynamic gameplay ... are tuned to team play and counter-play. Jeff Kaplan, "Overwatch" Game Director
Blizzard's take on the "Team Fortress" style shooter, unveiled last year at BlizzCon, added new heroes to the lineup: Genji, Mei, and D.va, as well as a new map, Hollywood. The original 21 heroes and announced maps will be available with the purchase of the game. "Overwatch Origins Edition" includes five Origins editions skins. Each skin "harkens to the backstory of the origin of the hero that got one," said Kaplan.
Other goodies include six portraits for "StarCraft II," a new card back for "Hearthstone," and an in-game Winston pet for "World of Warcraft." Tracer will also be coming to "Heroes of the Storm" as the first "Overwatch" hero to be added to the game. "Overwatch," as we knew from a previous leak, will be coming to console on Xbox One and PlayStation 4, released simultaneously with PC. Noir Widowmaker skin can be obtained by a pre-order.
"Overwatch" launches Spring 2016.
"Hearthstone"
"Hearthstone" is releasing a new adventure, as expected, with new cards.
The adventure, "League of Explorers", has players trek throughout Azeroth for fame and fortune alongside Bronzebeard and others. A new mechanic, "Discover," presents players three randomized cards (valid for the deck), one of which is selected. League members appear in the form of legendaries. The new card, "Golden Monkey," replaces your hand and remaining deck with legendaries.
It really speaks to the heart of what it means to go on an adventure. Eric Dodds, "Hearthstone" Game Director
League of Explorers is open beginning next Thursday!
"Heroes of the Storm"
"Heroes" is releasing a new game mode coming next year: "arena." Arena is a mode without a lot of game rules about who can play what. You choose from three randomized heroes and one heroic ability before thrown into a single-objective battleground.
We [Heroes team] love to challenge what's "allowed." Dustin Drowder, "Heroes of the Storm" Game Director
Players can also look forward to Launara and Greymane as new heroes, as well as the new map: Towers of Doom. Cho'gall also looks to turn the game towards a new path by letting two players control one hero. Cho'gall is offered to current BlizzCon attendees, virtual ticket holders, and specially-selected players. Players can also grab Cho'gall by playing with someone who *does.* Cho'gall cannot be bought with real money or gold.
"Warcraft" Movie
"StarCraft II"
All of the races are getting new and updated units for multiplayer. Archon mode and co-op missions allow you to play cooperatively, supposedly separate from skill level. "Legacy of the Void" will be a standalone game. Blizzard also plans to release mission packs to continue to support the storylines that "Starcraft II" created.
When Blizzard releases a game, it's only the beginning ... We love these games, and we want them to be the best that they can be.
We can only wish that it was the long-canceled "StarCraft Ghost."
World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor
Release: 11/12/2014 [NA] 11/12/2014 [EU]
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: Mac, PC
Purchase: Amazon
Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft
Release: 12/9/2013 [NA]
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: Mac, PC
Heroes of the Storm
Release: 3/12/2014 [NA]
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: Mac, PC
Hearthstone: Goblins vs. Gnomes
Release:TBA
Publisher: Activision
Platforms: Mac, PC
StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void
Release:
Publisher: Blizzard Entertainment
Platforms: Mac, PC
Purchase: Amazon
