Blizzardis currently developing not only one, but multiple mobile titles based on its existing IP. Not only are they being made, butBlizzardsays the games are in “advanced” stages of development.
Coming off of yet another successful fiscal year, the video game giant is set to unveil its latest and greatest developments at the rapidly approaching BlizzCon. Dubbed BlizzConline, this year’s convention will be held in a strictly online format in response to the ongoing pandemic.Blizzard is also celebrating its 30th anniversary, offering players digital rewards in its various games.
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During Blizzard’s most recent financial earnings call, CEO Bobby Kotick spoke with investors regarding plans to expand upon one of their most popular franchises,Warcraft. Kotick explains that the company is focused on delivering more frequent “premium content,” in an effort to expand theWorld of Warcraftcommunity. In step with this strategy, he elaborates that Blizzard has created multiple free-to-play mobileWarcrafttitles, all of which are in “advanced development” stages.
Beyond theWarcraftIP, the Blizzard executive spoke on another in-development mobile title, the heavily divisiveDiablo Immortal.Kotick claims the game’s limited test trials have generated positive reviews, althoughImmortal’s “The Market” feature has rekindled warinessakin toDiablo 3’s Auction House.
There have been rumors of a mobileWarcraftgame swirling for several years now, ever since Blizzard posted several jobs in 2017 that hinted they were based on theWarcraftfranchise. A prevalent rumor in 2018 suggested that the studio was working on an AR-style game, a laPokemon GO. Given the fact that Kotick stated there are multiple projects in the works, this could mean even more titles are in store. One such title could possibly bethe recently reportedDiablo 2remake.
Blizzard recently merged remake veteran studio Vicarious Visions, the company responsible for the immensely popularTony Hawk’s Pro Skater 1 +2andCrash Bandicoot N. Sane Trilogy. All signs point to the same team helming theDiablo 2remake, tentatively titledDiablo 2: Resurrected, although nothing has been entirely confirmed.
Blizzard technically does have aWarcraftmobile title, although moreWarcraft-adjacent in the form ofHearthstone. The popular turn-based card game just received its 19.4 patch, which includesthe release of its first mini-set expansion. The prospect of several “premium” mobile games coming from an extremely well-established developer should get plenty of Blizzard fans excited, especially since they’re supposed to be free-to-play.
While it should be exciting to see the creators behindWarcraft, Overwatch,andDiablodiversify its offerings, many fans just simply aren’t on board with playing games on their phones. Fortunately, Activision-Blizzard has morevideo game remasters planned for 2021. Hopefully, BlizzConline reveals more in the coming weeks.
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