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Blizzard 30th instalment of its three-decade legacy BlizzCon 2021 comes this year in a new online format designed to be more adapted to the times we are currently living. In the event the company showcased many important announcements and related cinematic videos for its flagship games.
This was a unique event in which not only Blizzard has looked to the future of its games, but also to the past with a few nostalgic surprises. Suffice to say the company announced it will bring back some of its first titles, (a few from its Silicon & Synapse era) and recover an exceptional classic: Diablo II.
BlizzConline 2021 (the new name referring to the online format) took place on February 19 and 20, 2 days of panels and activities, held online and open through its official website. The event was preceded by an opening stage that left us interesting bits of news. Here, we cover announcements of the inaugural Blizzard event and some other details offered afterwards.
Throwback in time with a compilation of the Blizzard game classics
Blizzard released three of its major classics in the Arcade Collection edition, including The Lost Vikings, Rock N Roll Racing, and Blackthorne. These bundles come in two flavors: the “original” and the “definitive” editions. The original edition offers the games with quality improvements and the ability to save, load and load the game.The definitive edition includes the same content and adds an improved local multiplayer mode for The Lost Vikings and Rock N ‘Roll Racing, new songs for Rock N’ Roll Racing, a new level for Blackthorne and translations into 12 languages.
The price on Nintendo Switch, PS4 and Xbox One (also on PS5 and Xbox Series via backward compatibility), as well as on PC via Battle.net is $19.99 dollars. For the Delux version the price would be $29.99 dollars. Additionally, PC copies of the Blizzard Arcade Collection are included in three Celebration Collection packs (for reference, being the cheapest valued at $19.99 dollars).
World of Warcraft Shadowlands next chapter: Chains of Domination
As expected, the first major update for World of Warcraft Shadowlands was one of the highlights of the BlizzConline opening. Chains of Domination is a new chapter in the lore of the successful MMORPG that, preserving the traditions, is preceded by its own cinematic trailer.
In addition to the news for the update itself, Blizzard has launched a new donation program for Doctors Without Borders for every purchase of their two new World of Warcraft pets: Bananas the Monkey and Daisy the Sloth.
Welcome (back) to World of Warcraft: Burning Crusade Classic
In addition to the content related to World of Warcraft Shadowlands, and keeping on with the nostalgia, on another news they revealed an update for World of Warcraft Classic. There were a lot of rumors revolving around the relaunch of The Burning Crusade, the first expansion for World of Warcraft, and finally they turned out to be true. One more step to perpetuate and extend the legacy of the game itself and bring it up to date.
Burning Crusade Classic will be an alternative to WOW Classic and, like this one, it will be included at no additional cost in the World of Warcraft subscription.
HearthStone returns to its origins
HearthStone was one of the Blizzard offerings that had the most updates. Starting off, the new stage of the game known as the Year of the Gryphon will offer a new basic set of cards to match the new expansion: Forged in the Barrens.
On the other hand, and continuing with the nostalgic element, Blizzard has announced that Hearthstone will receive its own classic format, which will allow players to create decks and compete using the cards as they were when the game was launched in 2014.
Last but not least, Blizzard will launch Hearthstone Mercenaries this year, a game mode that will allow players to acquire iconic characters from the Warcraft universe.
Diablo 4 Rogue breathtaking presentation
Diablo 4 Rogue was also announced in a spectacular cinematic trailer to spice up a little more the event. For many, Diablo IV would be the highlight of the event. Nonetheless, the only update they disclosed about this title was focused on the new in-game class: the rogue. The entry scene of this lethal and shameless killer class was preceded by a trailer that took everybody’s breath away.
On the other hand, the not-so-well-received Diablo Immortal, the custom-built mobile experience, will finally have its own chance to shine through a public alpha in which barbarians, monks, demon hunters and wizards they will join forces to gather the fragments of the corrupted World Stones.
Diablo II: Resurrected
The classic Diablo II will return by the end of the year with a spectacular remastering that includes its expansion Diablo II: Lord of Destruction. An integral resurrection in which even the cinematic trailers have been remade frame by frame.
Additionally of being confirmed for PC, Diablo II: Resurrected will also arrive on consoles and, from the game’s official website, it is now possible to register in the public testing process.
Overwatch 2
The Blizzcon panels offered some details about Overwatch 2, including various elements that will help improve gunplay, changes in the characters and even the progression system for the Player vs. Environment events. For the most part, several of the main Overwatch characters will have a new appearance taking advantage of the sequel.
Finally, two new maps have been confirmed: Rome and New York will be reimagined in Overwatch combining their identity and essence and that futuristic touch typical of the game.
At the moment, there is no launch date for Overwatch 2, but what we know for sure is going to be a cross-platform released.