Blizzcon 2017 kicks off in about an hour, arguably one of the biggest live events in all of gaming. We're sure to hear some big announcements about World of Warcraft, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch and maybe even a few surprises along the way. We'll be watching and listening to make sure you have the most up-to-date news straight off the convention floor. You'll also want to swing back later as our own Bill Murphy & Garrett Fuller are "boots on the ground" in Anaheim.
OPENING CEREMONY
Mike Morhaime has taken the stage.
This is the 11th Blizzcon, the biggest show yet. More panels, games, activities, tournaments and the biggest attendees ever -- over 30,000 on site.
40,000,000 players log in each month across all the company's games.
A Starcraft II Remastered tournament will be held just prior to the 2018 Winter Olympics, a big event for eSports as it looks for validation as an Olympic sport.
Starcraft II is going free to play starting November 14th. The Wings of Liberty campaign will be available. Everyone will have access to coop and ladders.
Heroes of the Storm
15 new heroes have been added in the past year. But we're not done yet.
Alexstraza is ranged support character with heals. When threatened, she transforms into a dragon. Hanzo is a Ranged Assassin and scout.
We're working to improve our in-game experience with big changes to come.
- Laning improvements
- Voice chat
- Stealth reworked
- New battlefield mechanics
- voice chat
- performance-based match-making
Hearthstone - Ben Brode
Hearthstone's next expansion is being introduced via a trailer. It is called Kobolds and Catacombs. The expansion is designed to bring a "choose your own adventure" style game play to HS. It's a tabletop-like experience. Starting Monday, everyone logging in will receive a free Merin the Fox card and attendees / virtual ticket holders will receive a golden version.
The Dungeon Run is a totally new single player mode. You'll level, defeat bosses and gather loot. You'll defeat 8 random bosses but each one you defeat, you add cards to your deck. If you lose, you go back to the start with a new deck and strategy. This is separate from the normal collection and is totally free.
Overwatch - Jeff Kaplan
Blizzardworld cinematic as imagined by the Overwatch team. It's a new map coming to the game and it's AWESOME! It's part assault and part payload, a hybrid map.
A new Hero is coming named Moira! She is a support healer.
World of Warcraft - J Allen Brack
Blizzard has introduced vanilla servers.
The new expansion will feature a return to the faction war. The Horde & Alliance will be at each other's throats in BATTLE FOR AZEROTH.
- New continent: Kul'Tiras for Alliance
- New continent: Zandalar for Horde
- level to 120
- new dungeons and raids
- plunder uncharted islands
- faction battle in "warfronts"
- subraces confirmed
Class Tuning Incoming - 26 March
Class Tuning Incoming - March 25
