Skip to main content

BlizzCon 2015 live report

Overwatch on console! New Hearthstone Adventure! Warcraft movie trailer debut! No Diablo. Sad face.

Wesley Yin-Poole avatar
Blog by Wesley Yin-Poole Former Editor-in-Chief
Updated on
32 comments

Update: And we're done. The headlines: Heroes of the Storm gets a new arena mode; Hearthstone gets a new Adventure next week; Overwatch is out next spring, for PC and consoles, and it's not free-to-play. We also saw a new trailer for World of Warcraft: Legion, and the first trailer for the Warcraft movie, and, well, guess which looked better?

Original story: Blizzard's big bash begins this evening, and the game company's fans expect blockbuster news.

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.

– Chris Bratt

Or maybe, I'm just really excited about that Warcraft trailer...

– Chris Bratt

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.

– Chris Bratt

Mustn't spend all of my dollars on merch. Mustn't do that.

– Chris Bratt

– Chris Bratt

There's a picture of this year's pass, if that's what you're into. It's what I'm into.

– Chris Bratt

Hang on. Is it just me, or does Tracer's artwork look a little off there?

– Chris Bratt

– Chris Bratt

Oh gosh, I'm turning into THAT kind of Blizzard fan.

– Chris Bratt

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!

– Chris Bratt

Whoops! It seems Blizzard streamed a rehearsal for the Heroes of the Storm panel to virtual ticket holders - presumably by mistake. Spoilers on Reddit.

– Oli Welsh

– Chris Bratt

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.

– Chris Bratt

Blizzcon scoop: The music is quite intense.

– Chris Bratt

I feel like I'm getting ready to fight in a war. With some orcs.

– Chris Bratt

– Chris Bratt

I tried to get a bit artsy with that one - please ignore the huge amount of screen glare.

– Chris Bratt

Let's pretend it's fel energy or something, yeah?

– Chris Bratt

Real talk: who's looking forward to Linkin Park?

– Chris Bratt

Somewhere backstage, fired up from Gamescom, Alex Afrasiabi runs through the notes of another 20 minute Legion lore bomb...

– John Bedford

Martin's just come online. "IS THIS STARCRAFT 3???!!!?!?!?!" He doesn't know anything about Blizzard.

– Oli Welsh

We're starting with some StarCraft hype. Legacy of the Void launches on Tuesday. Tuesday! Where did that come from.

– Oli Welsh

Johnny: "Do you suppose blizzard employees get hair straighteners when they join?"

– Oli Welsh

Mike's intro music...

– Wesley Yin-Poole

This is my first time, Mike!

– Chris Bratt

Lot of hype in the crowd for the unreleased Overwatch. Less immediately after for the actually released HotS. Awkward.

– John Bedford

That's a cheap way to do an exit survey, Mike

– Wesley Yin-Poole

I refer to this man as Gentleman Mike now, for reasons I can't disclose.

– Oli Welsh

Hint: it's not to do with his taste for corporate bowling shirts.

– Oli Welsh

Every year that remake tease.

– John Bedford

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.

– Chris Bratt

Just announce Warcraft 4 already!

– Wesley Yin-Poole

That shirt is offending at least three of my five senses, Mike.

– Aoife Wilson

Does Mike's shirt mean they're about to announce Blizzard Bowling?

– Martin Robinson

"How many of you lost your significant other through Blizzard games?"

– John Bedford

You shut up, Aoife.

– Chris Bratt

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

– Wesley Yin-Poole

MANA KITTY *all cynicism evaporates*

– Aoife Wilson

MANA KITTY *cynicism increases hundredfold*

– Johnny Chiodini

Patch 2.4 gets a cheer. This must be BlizzCon

– Wesley Yin-Poole

I love that little foam WOW quest marker someone's brought with them.

– John Bedford

Blizzard's cinematics are amazing. They should make a movie or something.

– Wesley Yin-Poole

I haven't touched SCII in maybe three years. Growing worryingly nostalgic, watching this.

– Johnny Chiodini

Wes, they produce about four minutes of footage a year. I don't think it would work out.

– Oli Welsh

Kerrigan is such a babe. Serving badass Queen of Blades realness.

– Aoife Wilson

Money packs!

– John Bedford

What is this? I don't know what this is? WHAT IS THIS?

– Wesley Yin-Poole

I only came here for a Rock n' Roll Racing sequel announce. Don't let me down Blizzard.

– Martin Robinson

Oh, it's just three new missions next year. For a second there... remember StarCraft Ghost?

– Wesley Yin-Poole

Right, so they're doing mini DLC mission packs instead of further major expansions. Interesting.

– Oli Welsh

I beat Trump at Hearthstone once. Have I mentioned?

– Wesley Yin-Poole

WOW Arena is like the water polo of eSports. Just not very cool.

– Oli Welsh

Those guys? OMG

– John Bedford

Po1ymorph: @Wesley Yin-Poole Donald Trump? I didn't know he played.

HOW DARE YOU

– Wesley Yin-Poole

I beat Daniel Negreanu at poker once. Have I mentioned?

– Johnny Chiodini

Shout out to Wesley Crusher. We Wesleys need to stick together

– Wesley Yin-Poole

WARCRAFT MOVIE EVERYBODY SHUSH

– Aoife Wilson

Is this it? Is this the trailer?

– John Bedford

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!

– Johnny Chiodini

Warcraft trailer hype come on!!!

– Wesley Yin-Poole

Did Duncan print that t-shirt himself?

– Aoife Wilson

We have a report from behind the scenes of the Warcraft film hitting the site very shortly after this.

– Martin Robinson

Once Duncan's kind enough to give us some assets.

– Martin Robinson

Every ounce of cynicism I had about the Warcraft movie has evaporated over the last week.

– John Bedford

JUST SHOW THE BLOODY TRAILER

– Wesley Yin-Poole

Should a movie's director need to check a piece of paper to reel off the names of his film's cast?

– Tom Phillips

Wonder how much those actors got paid just to stand on a stage for 20 seconds.

– Aoife Wilson

Ragnar Lothbrook looking hench.

– Johnny Chiodini

(Anyone? Vikings? No?)

– Johnny Chiodini

Still not sure about the CGI in this. The actors look like they have a glow around them against the backdrops.

– John Bedford

Those eagles at the end, they can just use them to drop the ring in the fire, right?

– Tom Phillips

I'm not sure what to think about the Warcraft trailer. As an ex-WOW players, it's just, kind of, odd?

– Wesley Yin-Poole

This guy has no chill.

– Aoife Wilson

That was... less exciting than the teaser. I'm starting to understand why the movie studio is unsure what to do with it.

– Oli Welsh

Heroes of the only as good as your weakest link and that guy is going to ruin your life.

– John Bedford

Oooh new game mode for Heroes of the Storm.

– John Bedford

I wonder if they wish they'd gone with this from the off.

– John Bedford

Dustin Browder is a stone lighter every time I see him.

– Oli Welsh

Cynicism aside the new HotS mode would be amazing for learning Hero counters.

– John Bedford

Was that the Headless Horseman from WOW's Hallow's End event?

– John Bedford

Team Rocket's lawyers want a word.

– Aoife Wilson

"For free"

– John Bedford

Anyone else hear virtual ticket sales hitting the roof? If not, I think someone's breaking in to the Eurogamer office.

– Johnny Chiodini

Haha, a viral character. That's a nice idea.

– Oli Welsh

HOLD ME ERIC!

– John Bedford

You mean your mother-in-law doesn't play Heroes of the Storm?

– Tom Phillips

New Hearthstone adventure!

– Tom Phillips

New Hearthstone Adventure. Now we're talking.

– John Bedford

Harrison Jones themed Adventure?

– John Bedford

mflfghfghfghfghgh

– Tom Phillips

This dude has got his t-shirt tucked in. That's it, I'm out.

– Martin Robinson

ytzulu: Ah Jurgen Klopp

Oh god you're right...

– Wesley Yin-Poole

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.

– Tom Phillips

Please stop saying golden monkey.

– Johnny Chiodini

Interesting card but it might well end up another Mimiron's Head - too many stages to pass through to get the result.

– John Bedford

Golden monkey.

– Tom Phillips

TOM

– Johnny Chiodini

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.

– Tom Phillips

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.

– Oli Welsh

That's Golden Monkey by the way. Johnny.

– Tom Phillips

I just wish Overwatch had a PVE mode. Make my dreams come true Jeff.

– Oli Welsh

The character art in this game is just so good.

– Oli Welsh

"When you buy Overwatch you get all 21 heroes." Not free-to-play, confirmed.

– Oli Welsh

*Cross-pollination klaxon*

– Johnny Chiodini

Overwatch coming to consoles. Iiiinteresting.

– Aoife Wilson

Who'd have thought!

– Tom Phillips

The base PC digital edition is £30, the origins edition is £45, the collector's edition... isn't priced.

– Oli Welsh

"Expected game release on or before 6/21/16", was what the small text said there.

– Tom Phillips

I wonder how much Chris Metzen can bench-press. I bet it's a lot.

– Johnny Chiodini

Kremlik: Pre-order now just popped up on the livestream.. Advertising!

Happened to me too. Weird and also slick.

– Johnny Chiodini

I liked it better when he was roaring.

– Tom Phillips

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.

– Oli Welsh

Also, the man can talk.

– Oli Welsh

/sleep

– Aoife Wilson

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.

– Oli Welsh

Guess who's back? Back again. Illidan's back. Tell a friend.

– Aoife Wilson

*CINEMATIC KLAXON*

– Aoife Wilson

Are they really going to leave Diablo 3 on the naughty step? But it's my favourite!

– Oli Welsh

I can't.....I just can't play another WOW expansion. Oh I can can't I?

– John Bedford

I'm not even kidding myself.

– John Bedford

I'm Sylvannas.

– Aoife Wilson

RIP Diablo.

– John Bedford

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.

– Oli Welsh

Anyway, thanks for joining us! We'll have more from BlizzCon soon, including Chris B reporting from the show floor. Stay tuned.

– Oli Welsh

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.

– Oli Welsh

Read this next