BlizzCon 2015 live report
Overwatch on console! New Hearthstone Adventure! Warcraft movie trailer debut! No Diablo. Sad face.
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Overwatch, its new team-based shooter, looks set to see its console version announced. But various recent leaks tell us much of what we need to know: Overwatch: Origins Edition is due out on PC, PS4 and Xbox One spring 2016.
Then onto card video game Hearthstone. Will Blizzard announce a new expansion? I'm going with a ninja theme. Ninjas are awesome.
As for sci-fi real-time strategy game StarCraft 2, its final expansion, Legacy of the Void, is due out on 10th November, so I doubt we'll see big news there.
I have higher hopes for World of Warcraft, though. How about a release date for upcoming expansion Legion? You bet. And, finally, a trailer for the movie. Oh yes.
Heroes of the Storm could do with a bit of a push, so perhaps Blizzard will announce a new round of heroes and maps for its MOBA.
What else? Blizzard may mention a new expansion for Diablo 3, but I reckon it's a bit early for that. Meanwhile, maybe the company will talk more about plans to revitalise its older games, such as RTS Warcraft 3. A remake would, I'm sure, bring the house down.
Join us from 7pm this evening, or a bit earlier if you fancy getting stuck into the comments with some healthy speculation, for Eurogamer's BlizzCon 2015 live report. Our very own Chris Bratt is on the ground in California to add colour to what promises to be a lively opening ceremony. Stay tuned!
Our live coverage of this event has finished.
Hello! I'm in Anaheim for Blizzcon and I've also been awake since 4AM, which tells me I'm not quite over the jetlag.
Or maybe, I'm just really excited about that Warcraft trailer...
My hotel has been taken over by Blizzard fans, which is rather nice. A lot of them are wearing Overwatch hoodies too - there's a real buzz surrounding that game.
Mustn't spend all of my dollars on merch. Mustn't do that.
There's a picture of this year's pass, if that's what you're into. It's what I'm into.
Hang on. Is it just me, or does Tracer's artwork look a little off there?
Oh gosh, I'm turning into THAT kind of Blizzard fan.
ckyman2: "Due to fire regulations, access to certain panel discussions, presentations, and performances that occur during BlizzCon will be limited to the maximum capacity of the particular hall and will be on a first-come first-served basis. If an area has reached its capacity, you may not be granted reentry after exiting" Better get a move on Chris /chuckle
If I don't manage to finally watch a World of Warcraft panel in person, I think I might have a little cry. To Blizzcon!
Whoops! It seems Blizzard streamed a rehearsal for the Heroes of the Storm panel to virtual ticket holders - presumably by mistake. Spoilers on Reddit.
And the doors have opened! I've managed to fight my way through a sea of Blizzard fans and nab a seat in the press area.
Blizzcon scoop: The music is quite intense.
I feel like I'm getting ready to fight in a war. With some orcs.
I tried to get a bit artsy with that one - please ignore the huge amount of screen glare.
Let's pretend it's fel energy or something, yeah?
Real talk: who's looking forward to Linkin Park?
Somewhere backstage, fired up from Gamescom, Alex Afrasiabi runs through the notes of another 20 minute Legion lore bomb...
Martin's just come online. "IS THIS STARCRAFT 3???!!!?!?!?!" He doesn't know anything about Blizzard.
We're starting with some StarCraft hype. Legacy of the Void launches on Tuesday. Tuesday! Where did that come from.
Johnny: "Do you suppose blizzard employees get hair straighteners when they join?"
Mike's intro music...
This is my first time, Mike!
Lot of hype in the crowd for the unreleased Overwatch. Less immediately after for the actually released HotS. Awkward.
That's a cheap way to do an exit survey, Mike
I refer to this man as Gentleman Mike now, for reasons I can't disclose.
Hint: it's not to do with his taste for corporate bowling shirts.
Every year that remake tease.
And my battery is about to die, so I'll leave it to the rest of the team. Will try my very best not to run on stage and hug lovely Mike.
Just announce Warcraft 4 already!
That shirt is offending at least three of my five senses, Mike.
Does Mike's shirt mean they're about to announce Blizzard Bowling?
"How many of you lost your significant other through Blizzard games?"
You shut up, Aoife.
I met my World of Warcraft clan in Dublin. My mate lost a tooth in a fight and threw up in my sister's room
MANA KITTY *all cynicism evaporates*
MANA KITTY *cynicism increases hundredfold*
Patch 2.4 gets a cheer. This must be BlizzCon
I love that little foam WOW quest marker someone's brought with them.
Blizzard's cinematics are amazing. They should make a movie or something.
I haven't touched SCII in maybe three years. Growing worryingly nostalgic, watching this.
Wes, they produce about four minutes of footage a year. I don't think it would work out.
Kerrigan is such a babe. Serving badass Queen of Blades realness.
Money packs!
What is this? I don't know what this is? WHAT IS THIS?
I only came here for a Rock n' Roll Racing sequel announce. Don't let me down Blizzard.
Oh, it's just three new missions next year. For a second there... remember StarCraft Ghost?
Right, so they're doing mini DLC mission packs instead of further major expansions. Interesting.
I beat Trump at Hearthstone once. Have I mentioned?
WOW Arena is like the water polo of eSports. Just not very cool.
Those guys? OMG
Po1ymorph: @Wesley Yin-Poole Donald Trump? I didn't know he played.
HOW DARE YOU
I beat Daniel Negreanu at poker once. Have I mentioned?
Shout out to Wesley Crusher. We Wesleys need to stick together
WARCRAFT MOVIE EVERYBODY SHUSH
Is this it? Is this the trailer?
I've told Chris Bratt that if he doesn't get an interview with Linkin Park, he shouldn't bother coming home. Watch this space!
Warcraft trailer hype come on!!!
Did Duncan print that t-shirt himself?
We have a report from behind the scenes of the Warcraft film hitting the site very shortly after this.
Once Duncan's kind enough to give us some assets.
Every ounce of cynicism I had about the Warcraft movie has evaporated over the last week.
JUST SHOW THE BLOODY TRAILER
Should a movie's director need to check a piece of paper to reel off the names of his film's cast?
Wonder how much those actors got paid just to stand on a stage for 20 seconds.
Ragnar Lothbrook looking hench.
(Anyone? Vikings? No?)
Still not sure about the CGI in this. The actors look like they have a glow around them against the backdrops.
Those eagles at the end, they can just use them to drop the ring in the fire, right?
I'm not sure what to think about the Warcraft trailer. As an ex-WOW players, it's just, kind of, odd?
This guy has no chill.
That was... less exciting than the teaser. I'm starting to understand why the movie studio is unsure what to do with it.
Heroes of the only as good as your weakest link and that guy is going to ruin your life.
Oooh new game mode for Heroes of the Storm.
I wonder if they wish they'd gone with this from the off.
Dustin Browder is a stone lighter every time I see him.
Cynicism aside the new HotS mode would be amazing for learning Hero counters.
Was that the Headless Horseman from WOW's Hallow's End event?
Team Rocket's lawyers want a word.
"For free"
Anyone else hear virtual ticket sales hitting the roof? If not, I think someone's breaking in to the Eurogamer office.
Haha, a viral character. That's a nice idea.
HOLD ME ERIC!
You mean your mother-in-law doesn't play Heroes of the Storm?
New Hearthstone adventure!
New Hearthstone Adventure. Now we're talking.
Harrison Jones themed Adventure?
mflfghfghfghfghgh
This dude has got his t-shirt tucked in. That's it, I'm out.
ytzulu: Ah Jurgen Klopp
Oh god you're right...
Discover seems to be another push for added randomness in Hearthstone albeit with a little more structure - the cards it digs up are appropriate to your deck.
Please stop saying golden monkey.
Interesting card but it might well end up another Mimiron's Head - too many stages to pass through to get the result.
Golden monkey.
TOM
What John said, although it seems to have a vastly better reward to setting it up. You'll see decks engineered to getting access to it as fast as possible with trash cards that will then get replaced when it comes into play.
I *LOVE* Jeff Kaplan. The man was the creative director of World of Warcraft when it was at its best. He's also just a really smart designer and lovely man.
That's Golden Monkey by the way.
Johnny.
I just wish Overwatch had a PVE mode. Make my dreams come true Jeff.
The character art in this game is just so good.
"When you buy Overwatch you get all 21 heroes." Not free-to-play, confirmed.
*Cross-pollination klaxon*
Overwatch coming to consoles. Iiiinteresting.
Who'd have thought!
The base PC digital edition is £30, the origins edition is £45, the collector's edition... isn't priced.
"Expected game release on or before 6/21/16", was what the small text said there.
I wonder how much Chris Metzen can bench-press. I bet it's a lot.
Kremlik: Pre-order now just popped up on the livestream.. Advertising!
Happened to me too. Weird and also slick.
I liked it better when he was roaring.
Chris Metzen is a dude. He is really like this in real life. His office is full of Marvel character statues. His favourite is Captain America.
Also, the man can talk.
/sleep
Why do they insist on explaining lore on stage. Why? Oh that's right, because Chris writes the stories and Chris gets what Chris wants.
Guess who's back?
Back again.
Illidan's back.
Tell a friend.
*CINEMATIC KLAXON*
Are they really going to leave Diablo 3 on the naughty step? But it's my favourite!
I can't.....I just can't play another WOW expansion. Oh I can can't I?
I'm not even kidding myself.
I'm Sylvannas.
RIP Diablo.
And we're done. No single massive reveal, but a big slate of new stuff; Overwatch is looking cracking, and it's out soonish; the Warcraft movie is... a bit weird; and nobody loves Diablo 3. Boo hoo. I now start the long, lonely wait for Diablo 4.
Anyway, thanks for joining us! We'll have more from BlizzCon soon, including Chris B reporting from the show floor. Stay tuned.
We visited the set for the Warcraft movie a whole year and a half ago. We can finally tell you about it (the movie business is weird). Read our report on a day in real-life Azeroth.