Blizzard entertainment games celebrated their 12th edition of BlizzCon, an epic celebration of their games, esports and the communities that bring them to life.
The BlizzCon 2018 action kicked off with esports competition in the last week of October at Blizzard Arena Los Angeles in Burbank, California. And the main event took place from 2 to 3 November at Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California.
Here are some of the highlights from this year’s show:
- Diablo Immortal, an authentic Diablo experience in the form of a mobile MMO Action RPG, complete with six classes, eight distinct environments and a custom Blizzard Battle interface that keeps one in constant contact with their fellow demon-slayers.
- Warcraft III: Reforged, a stunning reimagining of the beloved real-time strategy classic, which includes all-new art and animations, over four hours of updated in-game cutscenes and voice-overs, an overhauled World Editor, and full battle integration.
- Rastakhan’s Rumble, the newest expansion for Hearthstone, which gives players top billing on the ticket of the century: the troll King Rastakhan’s once-per-generation gladiatorial throwdown at the legendary Gurubashi Arena! Get in the ring with 135 new cards, an all-new single-player mode, and more.
- Ashe, Overwatch’s newest hero, is the leader of the outlaw Deadlock Gang and a versatile damage dealer with a lethal bag of tricks. Problems she can’t solve with her lever-action rifle, short-range coach gun, or a well-placed bundle of dynamite can be adequately handled by Bob, her faithful companion, who has the robotic muscle to spare. An animated shot titled ‘Reunion’ surrounding Ashe, McCree, B.O.B, an omnic named Echo and a few more was revealed during the convention too.
- Orphea, the first Nexus native to join the Heroes of the Storm roster is an accessible ranged assassin with a high skill-ceiling whose command of powerful ancestral magic and rhythmic playstyle reward bold tactics.
- Rise of Azshara, World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth’s had a second major content update. The Alliance and Horde will rally to Nazjatar, the sunken home of the naga, where they’ll ultimately confront Queen Azshara herself.
- Attendees also got more info on Tides of Vengeance, the first major content update coming in early December—including its First Raid: the Battle of Dazar’alor.
- Attendees also experienced a sneak peek at World of Warcraft Classic which is coming in the summer of 2019. BlizzCon attendees and Virtual Ticket holders get access to the playable BlizzCon demo at home till 8 November.
It wouldn’t be BlizzCon without some epic esports and this year was no exception. Joona Serral Sotala become the first non-Korean player to the StarCraft II World Championship Series; Gen.G took the crown in the Heroes of the Storm Global Championship; China emerged victorious at the Hearthstone Global Games; Method Orange won the World of Warcraft Arena World Championship; Free Marsy took home the trophy in the Mythic Dungeon Invitational All-Stars; and South Korea asserted their dominance once again at the Overwatch World Cup.
The cosplay field was jam-packed with The Egg Sisters, Individually Crafted, Pink Spear Tribe, Aoki, Large Fabrication, Narga, Artisan along with Kelton Ching and Overall, who has proved, that without a shadow of a doubt it is indeed possible to be simultaneously mystified and terrified.
Meanwhile, Michigan’s Have No Fear took the talent competition with a stirring, epic anthem that kept the crowd on its feet.
Finally, Rui Linxz Zhang won the art contest with The Council of Three Hammers, a stunning depiction of a pivotal moment in the history of the dwarves of Azeroth.
