Over the past year in the company Blizzard There were many changes. Mike Morheim left his post, one of the founders of the company and its permanent chapter for more than two decades. He headed Blizzard Entertainment Jay Allen Brack, who worked on twelve years World of Warcraft , Guiding the project team. Actually, the opening ceremony of the traditional BlizzCon festival began with this: Morheim pronounced his introductory word and invited the new president of Blizzard to the stage.
On November 3, Mike Morheim had a birthday. He was 51 years old. Congratulations, Mike!
Perhaps the change of leadership so quickly influenced the course of events, but this Big Wins sister sites time for the first time in many years the solemn introductory ceremony began with a respectable delay. And during game announcements several times the pads occurred.
But let's move on to the main thing: to games.
Heroes of the Storm
The session action movie will never be the same. From birth, heroes, well known for other Blizzard projects, met at the local fields of the battle: Warcraft , Starcraft , World of Warcraft, Diablo , Overwatch. And now a girl comes to the arena without the past: a character specially created for Heroes of the Storm.
Orpheus is the daughter of the Lord of the Ravens, and for the first time she appeared in a comic book dedicated to the event "The fall of the royal ridge". She fled from her father when she recognized his secret. Later their paths crossed again, but only for Orpheus to witness the fall of the kingdom due to the ambitions of her parent. Now she wants to destroy her father using her abilities of the killer.
Orpheus fights at the middle distance, using the magic of chaos to inflict damage to enemies and his own restoration. Her special abilities can destroy or give control of opponents in a certain area.
Orpheus will receive free all visitors to BlizzCon and owners of virtual tickets. With it, a set of exclusive thematic objects of Shcherbokhhhma Nexus is included with it. By the way, along the way, the developers presented new look for both Orpheus and other characters.
Heroes of the Storm is waiting for a number of changes. In particular, the group selection system will now try to add a “tank”, a healer and a long -range killer to each team. And players who choose “scarce” classes will gain additional experience. Classes, of which there are not enough in groups at the moment will be marked with a special icon.
In addition, the developers revised catapults and experience for the destruction of buildings. The goal is to achieve a more smooth increase in the advantage of teams. Details have already been published in the official blog.
World of Warcraft Classic
The main news of BlizzCon was the fact that "vanilla" World of Warcraft Classic will come out in the summer of 2019. And to plunge into the past, only the subscription of World of Warcraft will be required.
The demo version of the classical game is already available to everyone who bought a virtual or real ticket for BlizzCon. The test version is cut into capabilities, but in it the old fans will find everything that they dreamed about: a small set of affordable races and classes, the usual old models of characters, ammunition for bows and rifles, old talent trees, tiny bags and, of course, complete absence marks on the map of the world.
The list of open servers quickly “yellow”, and in places “blushed” in places. The quest "glades" instantly filled the crowds of the people: of course, filling three dozen robbers has become an impossible mission. But these difficulties were not embarrassed: the players who returned to the past joyfully blended, studied new old territories and simply chatted in chat, gathered in heaps.
We all remember the words j. Allena Brack, who he said when he was by his executive director of Wow: “You think you want Wow Classic, but you do not want her”. We could not help but ask the representatives of the team World of Warcraft Classic, John High and Brian Birmingham.
When you experience nostalgic feelings, there is always a danger that they will be scattered in a clash with modernity. In the modern World of Warcraft, we added a lot of amenities, such as high -resolution and functions that make life easier for players. And those who play today may not count so attractive what was fourteen years ago. I think that this phrase is that we do not want to destroy your nostalgia. But it is great that we can support both of these worlds. We are in a unique situation: our game has been developing for fourteen years and will develop as much, or even more. Even before she outdated her, we are asked to return it to the original state – and we can do it! And, perhaps, only we can ensure that she gives the same sensations. Which led us to such a decision? Mostly fans: continuous feedback, constant requests, enthusiasts of enthusiasts to resurrect the game in their own way.
So far, developers have no plans to create new content for Classic and “translate” it to Burning Crusade. Over time, classic raids for 40 people will open in the game. Perhaps services will appear like the transfer of characters between servers – although there will be no connection with the modern game. But phasing and cross-servers in Vanilla will not be. As well as changes in the balance of classes.
We took the patch 1 as the basis.12, because it is the most complete and balanced version of the game available during this period. Of course, we will listen to the community, because feedback is important and every voice matters. We always listen. But if you want to see a modern balance, then we have a "battle for Azerot". If you want something modern, it is already available. We want to return what happened then, especially the balance of classes, the sensations from the gameplay and all other systems in the form in which they were. When restoring, we had a number of problems: something did not fit into the code, some systems do not work as we would like. This is a very large, very extensive game. It is easy to miss something in it. And if this happened, let me know. Help us, indicate, tell me, offer, we want to know if something is wrong!
Warcraft III: Reformged
And more about Warcraft. The announcement of the updated version of one of the most famous strategies was one of the unexpected gifts of BlizzCon. The legendary game, published back in 2002, will return in 2019.
In the store Battle.Net The reception of preliminary orders has already been opened Warcraft 3: Reformged. The standard publication can be bought for 1299 rubles. But there is also Warcraft 3: Reforged Spoils of War Edition. This publication includes a unique vehicle for World of Warcraft, a new shirt for Hearthstone and new heroes for Heroes of the Storm. And in addition – a virtual ticket for BlizzCon. After all, its owners will be able to try the game before others; Most likely, we are waiting for a kind of early access or beta testing.
For ReForged, all the locations of the cult strategy were redrawn again, as well as the models of the characters. Under the editors and gameplay. In particular, the “purification of Stratholm” was adjusted to the realities of World of Warcraft: the mission now begins on the south side of the city, and the city itself has been rebuilt.
The game will maintain modern resolutions up to 4K, and the game interface is respectively processed and adjusted to different options for monitors. New special effects and completely new voice acting are included in the set. As well as an increase in the degree of maximum approach of the camera: the developers want to give players the opportunity to carefully consider the updated game. And the improved editor of user modifications should provide Warcraft III: Reformged long life.
We talked about the revival of the cult strategy with Robert Bryadenbeker, the head of the Blizzard classic team. He told us that people who related to the project with passion and love work on the game. Those who had a hand in the original game were also attracted to the creation of a remaster, and they are responsible for ensuring that the original spirit of the original is completely preserved.
I think we do it for everyone and everyone. This project should appeal to everyone who is well acquainted with Warcraft 3, because this is a modern game that has completely preserved the spirit of the original. But Reformged will be interesting to those who have never played Warcraft 3. And this is our chance to present the world of Warcraft to the new players and explain why we have been doing it for so many years. The gameplay is not outdated for all these years, it has tactical missions and dynamic contractions, and we did not change it. But for many it may be the discovery that the game balance has also remained at such a level that we did not have to interfere in it at all.
Diablo Immortal
When Blizzard hinted at the announcement of Diablo, fans of the series relied on Diablo 4. However, history came out similar to "Return" Command & Conquer. Diablo Immortal – This is a mobile game for iOS and Android, role -player with online elements. It is created by the Chinese company Netease.
The new game was carefully hidden before the announcement. However, the size of the box could hint at the feature of the project
The action takes place after the events Diablo II: Lord of Destruption , Until the time Diablo III. The stone of the universe was destroyed, but its soaked Baal fragments scattered throughout the sanctuary. And each of the fragments brought with him death and misfortune. Players have to visit eight open areas, where they will meet with other players and help each other.
Some of the areas have presented the developers on a special panel.
- In the new Bilefen zone, abandoned temples will be found. And here, giant mosquitoes, larvae and much more dangerous fetishes and fallen live here.
- In the Frozen Tundra zone, we could visit Diablo II, and now we will return to it in Diablo Immortal.
- Dark Horadim Zoltan Kull built many of his archives throughout the sanctuary. One of them is Zoltun Kulle’s Library. Here the players will meet the cultists hunting for a fragment of the stone of the universe, and the bandits who appeared behind the treasures. And there are also full of fatal traps.
The game will appear dungeons for a group of four fighters. In them, unlike open zones, monsters are not revived, and this will give the developers the opportunity to create special trials for players. In the tombs of Tomb of Fahir and Forgotten Tower, we have already been to Diablo II. In addition to them, they introduced an unusual Kikuras rapids dungeon: this is a river along which we have to rafting on the raft.
At the start of Diablo Immortal there will be six classes: a barbarian, crusader, demon hunter, necromancer, sorcerer and monk. Each will be given no less than a dozen skills, but from them you will have to choose five.
New classes will open over time, they plan to choose on the basis of community reviews. Developers also promise more and more new zones and dungeons.
World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth
The most famous online role -playing game this time was without high -profile announcements. This year for her "intermediate" between large additions. Players will have to be content with what has already been told earlier about Patch 8.1, " Waves of retaliation ". And the fact that it became known about Patch 8.2, Rise of Azshara.
Judging by the data from the test server, the plot events will return to the governor of the Horde Saurfang. The former governor, because after the battle of the lordderon, he sits in captivity in Stormgrad. And the Kinematographic video shown on BlizzCon “dishonor” gives rise to a new confrontation: now the old soldier is forced to rely on the alliance to destroy Silvan.
In the meantime, Anduin and Surfang find out relationships, very dangerous events begin to unfold on the dark shores.
Update the "Wave of Retribution" is scheduled for December 13. And after the Horde and the Alliance suffer even more losses (we will not give out plot turns), the action will move … under water. We will finally understand why the Queen of Azshar was one of the “faces of the war”. And at the same time we will visit the name, the very ancient capital, where a well of eternity was once located.
The theme of the first patch raid 8.2 will become the "Eternal Palace of Azshara". Eight bosses are waiting for the players in it, with one of which they will have to fight under water. And in the final we will meet with the Azshara itself. However, it was predictable.
In patoche 8.2 Players will be able to visit another location, MEAGON. Dwarves, obsessed with passion for cyberpunk technology, live in it. They replace parts of their bodies with mechanical prostheses. Mezhagon is complete with a group dungeon available only on mythical complexity.
In the near future, players will open access to new allied races, a new attraction will be built at the New Moon Fair, and the Song of the War and Nizin Arati song will receive an updated look. By the way, the rebirth is also waiting for goblins with Vorgen: new models were drawn for them.
And also patch 8.2 will give a long-expected opportunity: to climb the air over Kul-Tiras and Zandalar.
Hearthstone
The leak was accurate: BlizzCon 2018 announced a new addition to the card strategy, " Plastakhanovs of the game ". We met the King of Trolls with Trolls in the complement of World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth. But in the local battles, players will not have to analyze the moral background of the decisions of the ruler of Zandalar. Gladiator battles in the famous Gurubashi arena will be in the spotlight.
We talked about the addition with the Hearthstone designer Stephen Chann and the leading engineer of server decisions SELL YUNA.
Once in a generation, trolls from all over Azeroth gather in the famous Gurubashi arena, where merciless gladiator battles are arranged. The King Zandalari Plastakhan himself seasoned with games. And this allows us to tell a fascinating story and show new interesting mechanics.
Each team (read – class) will have legendary defenders, heroes or villains with powerful and expensive skills. They will be able to turn the course of a protracted and difficult duel. And in addition, players will receive 135 new cards. And new mechanics: by killing minions, players will receive bonuses.
Why will our game live even when it will have even more competitors? Because fans of Hearthstone do not just play it. And we, making a card game for them, do not just suggest that they play cards. We create many different classes for them, we are looking for interesting ideas, based on reviews. And these players, in addition, fall into one of the largest communities.
The Plastakhanovs of the Game will begin on December 4. Reception of preliminary supplement orders has already started.
Overwatch
Another, twenty -ninth, hero will appear in the Overwatch online shooter. This is Ash, the leader of the gang of the dead. We get acquainted with her in the short film "Meeting of old friends".
We discussed the new heroine with the leading designer Overwatch Scott Merser and the leading programmer Bill Varneke.
The secret of the popularity of Overwatch is in her characters. In the heroes that everyone is equal and at the same time everyone is different, and everyone can find a favorite image for themselves. They love all our heroes, even Hammond (Tarana), but he is a hamster. I walk through the BlizzCon pavilions and see what wonderful images our cosplayers create, with what love to every detail we have invented. And we are sure that Ash will become one of the most popular heroes. Although whom we are deceiving, in fact, Bob will surely overshadow it!
Ash is armed with a semi -automatic rifle, torn and ligaments of dynamite. And she is accompanied by a partner-municipal bob, who is always ready to join the fight. Rather, his name is b.O.B, "Big Omnik-Dvoretsky". And the developers love him so much that they jokingly call "hero Overwatch number 29.5". Scott Mercers assures that in the game he feels almost like a full -fledged character.
For design, Overwatch is of great importance. Since the background of the ASh is the heiress of the estate and state, and b.O.B Her butler, we wanted to accompany its appearance by the sound of a bell, which is usually caused by a servant. And our sound operators have been looking for the perfect sound for this ringing for a long time. It looked like this: designer Jacob Ryan called a couple of friends, and they in turn called in a variety of bells. It lasted forty minutes, and at the end almost the entire team of the game gathered around this company. And all together tried to choose: this sound is good? And this one? And this one is no better? So, when you hear the sound of a bell in the game, remember what works it was worth finding.
Starcraft II
The team of the famous space strategy was also a laconic. Players Starcraft II Get to know the new commander of the cooperative regime: Zeratul.