Blizzard simply wrapped up its Warcraft thirtieth Anniversary Direct, an almost hour-long presentation that includes quite a few updates from throughout the Warcraft franchise – virtually like a miniature BlizzCon. We heard about World of Warcraft’s subsequent main replace, a tease for its subsequent enlargement, new updates for World of Warcraft Classic, some long-awaited remasters, and deliberate updates for each Hearthstone and Warcraft Rumble.
If you missed the Direct, don’t fear, we’ve obtained you lined. Here’s every thing Blizzard confirmed at its Warcraft thirtieth Anniversary Direct right this moment:
World of Warcraft: The War Within subsequent main replace unveiled
First up, retail World of Warcraft, which is presently close to the top of the primary main story beat of the enlargement The War Within. Today, we obtained a have a look at the primary main patch of the enlargement, entitled “Undermine(d)”, which can take gamers into the underground goblin capital of Undermine for the primary time ever.
The patch, which is deliberate for early subsequent 12 months, will embrace a brand new customizable automobile, new story, a brand new enviornment map, a brand new dungeon, two new delves, a brand new raid, and plenty of different updates. You can learn extra about every thing deliberate for 11.1, Undermine(d), proper right here.
World of Warcraft: Midnight will function participant housing eventually
At the very finish of the presentation, Blizzard gave us a stunning “another factor” tease of its subsequent deliberate enlargement: Midnight. Though Midnight remains to be an extended methods away, right this moment we discovered that it’s going to embrace a long-requested function: participant housing. No particulars had been offered on this in right this moment’s presentation, however we’re anticipating to listen to extra late subsequent summer season when Blizzard absolutely unveils Midnight to the world.
World of Warcraft: Classic is headed to Pandaria
As anticipated, World of Warcraft Classic continues apace via the expansions, with Blizzard asserting that it is going to be shifting to Mists of Pandaria in 2025. But for many who could be pissed off with Classic seemingly racing to meet up with retail via World of Warcraft’s enlargement historical past, Blizzard can be dropping new “vanilla” Classic realms on November 21. The realms will embrace contemporary PvE, PvP, and Hardcore servers, all of which can slowly progress via Classic’s cadence of updates, with the Molten Core raid opening just a few weeks after their launch. In addition, the PvE and PvP realms (sorry, Hardcore) will ultimately transfer into The Burning Crusade Classic, beginning the enlargement development once more.
Warcraft I and II are being remastered
To kick off right this moment’s presentation, Blizzard introduced it could be shadow-dropping remasters of each Warcraft I and II right this moment. They’re remasters, not remakes, and can embrace absolutely remastered graphics in addition to plenty of high quality of life options. Warcraft II particularly will embrace multiplayer, and all legacy customized maps shall be suitable and playable.
In addition, Blizzard is releasing a brand new patch for Warcraft III: Reforged that features a graphics overhaul and numerous different high quality of life adjustments that can hopefully enhance the expertise. And all three video games shall be out there as a part of a Battle Chest, with versatile pricing primarily based on which video games you have already got in your library.
Hearthstone is getting a crossover with…Starcraft?!
Over within the tavern, we obtained a have a look at Hearthstone’s upcoming roadmap for 2025. And Hearthstone is beginning the brand new 12 months with a crossover with one other Blizzard property: Starcraft.
2025 will begin with a mini set themed round StarCraft, that includes themes and powers distinctive to all three StarCraft factions: Protoss, Zerg, and Terran. This shall be adopted by the primary 2025 enlargement, themed across the Emerald Dream, adopted by a return to Un’Goro Crater for The Shrouded City enlargement. Hearthstone will wrap up the 12 months in a time-themed enlargement known as The Heroes of Time, that includes everybody’s favourite time traveler, Chromie.
Warcraft Rumble is coming to PC
Warcraft Rumble will quickly introduce new break up faction leaders in a brand new replace. These leaders belong to 2 households concurrently, as a substitute of only one. Newly-added break up faction leaders will embrace Orgrim Doomhammer, Malfurion Stormrage, and Anub’arak, whereas different characters similar to Sylvanas will acquire a second faction along with their present one.
But most significantly, cell recreation Warcraft Rumble is celebrating its first birthday by breaking freed from the confines of our telephones. Blizzard introduced right this moment that it’s coming to PC quickly, with a beta launching on December tenth.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. You can discover her posting on BlueSky @duckvalentine.bsky.social. Got a narrative tip? Send it to rvalentine@ign.com.
