Blizzard Entertainment opened BlizzCon 2026 on Saturday with major reveals across its core franchises, headlined by the unveiling of World of Warcraft Forever, the official announcement of Diablo V, and an open-world shooter set in the StarCraft universe. The Anaheim Convention Center stage also hosted surprise updates for long-running titles, including the first campaign for Warcraft III in over two decades, which went live immediately.
Key Takeaways
- World of Warcraft Forever introduces a permanent Vanilla-era alternate reality on Nov. 4, 2026, featuring new zones, dungeons, and the Skyborne race.
- Diablo V is officially in development for a spring 2029 release, while Diablo IV launches on Nintendo Switch 2 on Sept. 15, 2026.
- An untitled StarCraft open-world shooter directed by Dan Hay targets a 2030 launch.
- Warcraft III Reforged adds the Forsaken Kingdom campaign today, bringing more than 30 hours of fresh story.
- Overwatch introduces Doctrine, a vampiric Support hero, while Heroes of the Storm returns with Void harbinger Xal’atath.
World of Warcraft Forever and The Worldsoul Saga
Blizzard executive producer Holly Longdale closed the ceremony by revealing World of Warcraft Forever, a standalone experience launching Nov. 4, 2026, with public beta access starting Sept. 17. Often requested by fans under the Classic Plus label, Forever keeps characters capped at level 60 while expanding the original world. The title adds over 1,000 quests, nine dungeons, 10- and 20-player raids, Mount Hyjal, the Riverglades, and a playable bird-like race called the Skyborne.
For mainline World of Warcraft, Blizzard showcased a cinematic for the upcoming Midnight update, titled Eclipse, alongside an early teaser for The Last Titan, which will conclude the three-part Worldsoul Saga.
Diablo V and Long-Term Franchise Expansions
Blizzard confirmed Diablo V is targeting a release in spring 2029. The story follows a reality where Sanctuary has completely fallen to demonic forces.
Near-term support remains active for Diablo IV. The game arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on Sept. 15, 2026, alongside the Season of Hell’s Legacy, which reintroduces the Prime Evils and Deckard Cain. Blizzard also confirmed the Amazon class will return to Diablo IV in the first half of 2027 through a dedicated class pack. Netflix is also developing an animated Diablo series.
StarCraft Returns as an Open-World Shooter
Blizzard ended years of silence surrounding the StarCraft IP by showing an open-world shooter set in the Koprulu Sector. Former Far Cry director Dan Hay leads the project, which aims for a release around 2030. The project departs from traditional real-time strategy gameplay to focus on ground combat against Zerg and Protoss forces.
Updates for Warcraft III, Overwatch, Hearthstone, and Heroes of the Storm
Blizzard released Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom immediately. The 30-hour campaign depicts the fall of Lordaeron and includes a 3.0 visual update, map editor upgrades, and the Forsaken Paladin hero unit.
Overwatch introduced Doctrine, a vampire-themed Support hero deploying mechanical bat drones. Players can test Doctrine immediately during a limited trial ahead of Season 5.
Hearthstone announced its Reign of the Black Empire expansion for Oct. 20, 2026, featuring the Assemble mechanic that merges cards. Heroes of the Storm received its first new hero in six years, confirming Xal’atath enters the public test realm on Sept. 14 before an official Sept. 28 debut.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q1. When does World of Warcraft Forever release?
A1. World of Warcraft Forever officially launches on Nov. 4, 2026, with a public beta opening on Sept. 17, 2026.
Q2. What platforms will Diablo IV support on Nintendo?
A2. Diablo IV arrives on Nintendo Switch 2 on Sept. 15, 2026, alongside the launch of the Season of Hell’s Legacy.
Q3. What is the release window for Diablo V?
A3. Blizzard announced Diablo V with a release window set for spring 2029.
Q4. Is the new StarCraft game a real-time strategy title?
A4. No. The upcoming StarCraft game directed by Dan Hay is an open-world shooter targeting a 2030 release.
Q5. How can players access the new Warcraft III campaign?
A5. Warcraft III Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom is available immediately as part of the 3.0 game update.
