BlizzCon 2023 saw the much-anticipated return of Activision Blizzard’s annual conference and live event after three years. The event was filled with exciting announcements and updates for fans of games like Overwatch 2, Diablo 4, and Hearthstone.
One of the major highlights of the conference was the announcement of Overwatch 2’s new hero, “Moga” MAUGA. Set to be officially launched on December 6th, players got a chance to try out this hero from November 4th to November 6th. The game is also expected to introduce three more new heroes in 2024. Additionally, a new PVP mode called “Clash” is scheduled to be launched in early 2024.
In a surprising collaboration, Overwatch 2 revealed a music-themed event featuring the popular Korean girl group, LE SSERFIM. The event will transform characters D.Va, Flash, Mist, Shadow, and Brigitte into figures of the girl group, along with a unique 3v3 team deathmatch mode. LE SSERAFIM also made an appearance at the closing performance.
Diablo 4, which faced criticism in its first season, made a strong comeback with a series of changes and new content in its second season. The game presented players with the new content “Ziel’s Slaughterhouse,” a highly difficult challenge for 100LV characters. It also announced the implementation of a limited Christmas event, “Darkness of Winter,” and the much-awaited ladder system in the third season. The highlight, however, was the introduction of Diablo 4’s first expansion pack, “Vessel of Hatred,” set to be launched in late 2024, featuring the return of “Mephisto” and a brand-new never-before-seen profession.
Hearthstone unveiled its latest expansion pack, “Showdown in the Badlands,” scheduled to be launched on November 14. The pack brings back original characters, Reno Jackson and Elise Starseeker, as protagonists. Additionally, a new mode called Battleground Duo will be introduced, allowing players to team up in a 2v2v2v2 format. To help new or returning players catch up with progress, a new card pack, Catch up Pack, was also announced, releasing up to 50 cards in standard mode.
The Warcraft series had its fair share of announcements as well. The mobile game “Warcraft Rumble” was officially launched on iOS and Android platforms, featuring classic characters and units in the Warcraft universe with a Clash Royale-like gameplay. World of Warcraft also revealed its next version, WoW Classic “Catalysm and Rebirth,” and introduced the new classic version content, “Season of Discovery,” allowing players to experience new gameplay for each profession. The biggest announcement, however, was the unveiling of the next story series, “WORLDSOUL,” set to be an epic story spanning multiple expansion packs. The upcoming three expansion packs for World of Warcraft were revealed as “The War Within,” “Midnight,” and “The Last Titan.”
The conference concluded with the trailer for the movie finale of World of Warcraft’s storyline, “The War Within.” The trailer hinted at Thor and others with prophetic abilities hearing a call from the heart of the world, leading them to find the truth alongside Anduen and Silithus.
BlizzCon 2023 showcased the exciting future of these beloved games, leaving players eagerly awaiting the release of new content and expansions.