As well as Diablo Immortal – a mobile version of classic action franchise Diablo – video game developer Blizzard announced new content for Overwatch, Hearthstone and Warcraft at Blizzcon 2018, while Destiny 2 goes free until Nov 18.
Blizzard's annual fan convention Blizzcon took place over Nov 2 and Nov 3, with major announcements touching on several core studio franchises in Diablo, Overwatch, Hearthstone and Warcraft.
A new iteration of Diablo, the legendary action-role playing game franchise had been highly anticipated, though its mobile format was something of a surprise for a community used to playing on computers and, through 2013's Diablo III, on console.
Previous games have had players descend, level by level, into an underworld crammed with all manner of monsters, treasures and equipment, ending with a powerful evil demon that must be slain.
Diablo 3 embraced a portable format through a Nov 2 release for Nintendo Switch and Diablo Immortal will continue down the same path.
However, depite the mobile format, players will need to have an online connection due to a massively multiplayer element present in the new title.
A release date for the iOS and Android game is yet to be announced.
Additional Blizzcon 2018 announcements included Warcraft III: Reforged, a 2019 remake of the 2002 strategy classic that became a Dota 2 and League Of Legends precursor; Ashe, a new character for team action game Overwatch, as well as a Kellogg's cereal tie-in called Luci-oh's for December; and an expansion called Rastakhan's Rumble for digital card game Hearthstone on Dec 4.
A major content update for World Of Warcraft, Tides Of Vengeance, is due Dec 11, while retro remake World Of Warcraft Classic was set for mid-2019.
Meanwhile, Blizzard's sister company, video game publisher Activision, timed a free giveaway of sci-fi shooter Destiny 2 on PC to coincide with Blizzcon. Available through Battle.net, the offer lasts until Nov 18. – AFP Relaxnews
