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BlizzCon has returned after nearly three years following its last event in 2023. As Blizzard's flagship showcase and historically the most iconic single-publisher gaming event, BlizzCon's comeback drew immense interest—and concern—from fans. However, the initial skepticism quickly turned to excitement and applause as Blizzard revealed a lineup of new titles.

From Diablo V to a new StarCraft project, a Diablo animated series, Warcraft III updates, new Overwatch heroes, and the next chapter of Warcraft.

The opening ceremony packed together a massive amount of information and news to be showcased over the two-day event. Below is a recap summarizing all the major announcements at a glance.

Blizzard President Johanna Faries was the first to take the stage, accompanied by a new sizzle reel showcasing cinematics from across Blizzard's franchises.

Speaking on BlizzCon's return after a long hiatus, President Faries expressed her gratitude to both the fans gathered in person and those tuning in online.

Noting that this was her first BlizzCon on stage, she reflected on the significance of the event, calling it inspiring and an honor to bring back. She highlighted Blizzard's history and creative spirit, expressing her hope that the gathering—a space for connection, healing, and discussing what comes next—would create lasting new memories for everyone.

Faries also thanked the development team for their passion and hard work, telling fans to look forward to a wealth of announcements both during and after BlizzCon.

Faries kicked off the announcements with Heroes of the Storm, introducing a new video trailer. HotS, whose content updates had effectively stalled after 2022, unexpectedly took center stage first, accompanied by the reveal of fresh content.

In the video, new hero Xal'atath appears alongside Janitor Leoric sweeping the floor. Xal'atath will be added to the Public Test Realm (PTR) starting Monday, with a full release scheduled for September 28. Attendees can also test out the hero on the BlizzCon show floor.

Marking the game's 91st hero, Xal'atath is the first character added to HotS in six years since Hogger's release in 2020. Fans are now keenly watching to see whether this addition signals further updates for the title.

Faries emphasized the "Entertainment" in Blizzard Entertainment, stating that the company can now expand its rich universes beyond gaming. That led directly into the reveal of a partnership with Netflix.

A Diablo animated series is currently in development in collaboration with Netflix. While little beyond the teaser logo was disclosed, Faries noted that major discussions are underway that will excite fans of Overwatch, Warcraft, and other Blizzard franchises.

Long-standing rumors of a new StarCraft project were finally confirmed. Titled simply 'StarCraft' without a subtitle, the game was revealed to be an open-world shooter rather than a real-time strategy (RTS) title.

Leading development is Dan Hay, former Ubisoft executive producer well known for his work on the Far Cry series. Taking the stage, Hay described the project as "something entirely new," defining it as an open-world shooter where every single step is hard-earned.

The cinematic trailer opens with fresh recruits training under the speech of a Dominion commander. It follows a rookie Marine named Holt undergoing brutal drills to prepare for a Zerg attack, only to be brutally slaughtered when forced into combat unprepared. The teaser ends on a somber note, showing Holt's dog tag floating in blood flowing from his armor, alongside dog tags of countless other Marines who met the same tragic fate.

The game is slated for release in 2030, meaning fans will have to wait a while longer for further details.

Next, Aaron Keller took the stage to share updates regarding Overwatch.

The cinematic for Chapter 3 of the ongoing annual story arc, Reign of Talon, begins with Doomfist raiding a volcanic prison in Iceland to break out an inmate. The short served as the introduction for Doctrine, a new Support hero joining Talon.

Described as a vampire-themed hero, Doctrine wields the weapon Aeon Scepter to heal allies and damage enemies. Utilizing drones for health manipulation and infusion abilities, Doctrine can convert dashes into flight, offering high skill expression and dynamic playmaking.

Prior to an official seasonal release, Doctrine is playable in a limited-time trial through September 14 both on the BlizzCon floor and online, with a full launch scheduled for Overwatch Season 5.

News of full reworks for Roadhog and Sombra was also announced. Roadhog is being redesigned into a Tank who provides meaningful utility to the team, addressing his reliance on his high-burst hook-and-kill playstyle.

Meanwhile, Sombra—a long-standing Damage hero—is transitioning to the Support role. Her iconic Hack ability is replaced by Hotfix, which can heal allies or disable health packs and deployables, while Virus is replaced by Cyberspace, a projectile that heals allies and weakens enemies.

A new map set in Iceland, Grímsvötn, was also unveiled. The next Overwatch Spotlight event is scheduled for February 2027. Considering that this year's Spotlight outlined plans to release 10 new heroes over the year—with 5 launched immediately—the upcoming Spotlight is expected to be packed with major announcements as well.

Additionally, a new TTRPG project titled Questwatch, hosted by voice actor Matthew Mercer, caught attendees' attention. Featuring Mercer (the voice of Cassidy) alongside voice actors for Symmetra, Vendetta, Sombra, Reinhardt, and more, the session is scheduled to stream on September 13 local time. A charity auction featuring related collectibles will also take place.

Collaborations with YOASOBI and LE SSERAFIM also drew loud cheers from the crowd.

The Diablo segment opened with a video honoring the franchise's 30th anniversary. Presenters Tiffany Wat and Brent Gibson then shared personal memories from across those 30 years. Gibson recalled sneaking upstairs as a 16-year-old to install Diablo I on a computer his mother brought home from school for break. Wat shared how she received Diablo II for her 18th birthday and immediately headed to a LAN party to do Baal runs and hunt for Stone of Jordan rings.

Game updates began with a new season for Diablo IV. Launching September 15, "Legacy of Hell" is designed as a 30th-anniversary celebration season. Iconic character Deckard Cain makes his return, guiding players into a waking nightmare to confront the most unforgettable moments in Diablo history. Locations visited include fan-favorite landmarks every Diablo player remembers, such as Tristram Cathedral and the Worldstone Keep.

Awaiting inside are Baal, Mephisto, and Diablo. Players will face all Prime Evils to reclaim their soul shards, then choose which evil power to embrace. This decision unlocks new powers and shapes the seasonal experience around the player's choices.

Rewards include legendary gear inspired by every era of Diablo, alongside the return of iconic items like the Stone of Jordan. A special demo version of the season was made playable on the BlizzCon show floor.

Next, Joe Shely delivered news regarding Nintendo Switch 2. Following long-standing rumors, Diablo IV: Age of Hatred Collection was officially confirmed to launch on Switch 2 on September 15, coinciding with the start of the new season.

Updates for Diablo Immortal followed, including an on-site tournament and a special collaboration with Spawn. Spawn creator Todd McFarlane is scheduled to visit the BlizzCon venue in person.

The developers noted that ever since players set foot on the Skovos Isles earlier this year, requests for the Amazon class surged—confirming that the Amazon will indeed join Diablo IV in 2027.

The final announcement of the segment was a major surprise. A new teaser trailer hinted at a devastated Sanctuary where angels are hunted by humans and demons alike, culminating in a glimpse of a demon resembling Diablo himself.

The presentation concluded with the unveiling of the Diablo V logo and a release window of 2029, officially confirming the next mainline entry.

Diablo V is scheduled for release in Spring 2029 and is set roughly a century after Diablo IV. In this era, Diablo has already conquered the world—shifting the focus from preventing Sanctuary's fall to a desperate struggle for survival in a world already claimed by evil.

Following Diablo, Hearthstone took the stage to lighten the mood.

The Hearthstone showcase began with details on the upcoming expansion Reign of the Black Empire, set to release on October 20. This marks the game's first expansion set tens of thousands of years in Azeroth's past during the era of the Black Empire, focusing on the war between the Old Gods at their peak power and the Titans. Developers confirmed that signature Old God mechanics will make a return.

A new keyword, "Combine," was also revealed. It allows players to fuse two cards into a powerful new card. For example, combining a spell might cast its effect and deal 5 damage to a random enemy. The Combine mechanic draws components from a curated pool of over 250 cards, with developers expecting players to discover creative combinations after launch.

A journal revamp was also announced to deliver the expansion's narrative directly in-game, tying quests, achievements, and events together into a cohesive thematic experience.

Tavern Brawls are expanding in scope as well. Most notably, a 2v2 Hearthstone format is being introduced for the first time, allowing players to team up with a friend to battle another duo.

Closing the segment was the announcement of the Monk, the first new class added in six years. Developers highlighted the class's versatility, explaining that Monks can adapt to match conditions before unleashing devastating combos at the right moment.

World of Warcraft Executive Producer Holly Longdale then took the stage to kick off a 30-minute segment dedicated to the Warcraft franchise.

Longdale opened by thanking fans for their support, emphasizing how hard the team has worked for the community. She invited players to create unforgettable memories together, declaring the start of the "Year of Warcraft" by stating, "We are lighting a fire that will burn for decades, and it begins today."

Game Director Ion Hazzikostas spoke first, sharing how much he enjoyed watching players dive into Midnight and rediscover iconic locations. He noted that the game now stands at the midpoint of The Worldsoul Saga.

A trailer for Midnight's next major content update, Encroaching Light, was presented. Hazzikostas explained that while earlier phases of The Worldsoul Saga were about setting the pieces on the chessboard, that stage is almost complete, and the narrative will now go full throttle without tapping the brakes until the saga concludes—starting with Encroaching Light.

Next was a teaser for The Last Titan, the final chapter of The Worldsoul Saga. Hazzikostas noted that specific details could not yet be shared, as doing so would involve major spoilers for Midnight.

He explained that the expansion will conclude an extraordinary era for Warcraft while laying the groundwork for the future—serving not just as a return, but as a reflection on a generation of players' bravery and achievements.

The focus then shifted to Warcraft III. Reflecting on the fact that over 20 years have passed since its original release, Longdale announced a brand-new campaign: Forsaken Kingdom.

Players will experience the fall of Lordaeron and how it came to be known as Undercity, discovering what it truly means to be one of the Forsaken. The accompanying trailer depicted fierce battles and the founding of Undercity.

Longdale shared that playing through the campaign was an emotional experience that brought back cherished memories. Alongside the campaign, Warcraft III: Reforged receives the free Update 3.0, adding over 30 hours of new gameplay and a new neutral hero, the Forsaken Paladin.

The showcase concluded with World of Warcraft: Forever. Acknowledging players' deep nostalgia for Vanilla WoW, Longdale posed the question: "What if we took Vanilla and upgraded it properly?" She then directly referenced the long-rumored "Classic Plus."

Longdale described Forever as "your new permanent home and an endless new beginning." Whether for veteran, current, or brand-new players, she stated now is the time to jump into the game that changed everything. Forever will exist alongside Modern WoW and Classic as a distinct way to play—familiar yet fresh.

The core philosophy centers on a "world-first, player-driven" experience. Rather than following a single grand hero's narrative, Forever offers a space where players carve their own paths, contribute to their community, and nurture it over time. Crucially, there is no rush—the journey matters far more than the destination.

The setting takes place immediately following the events of Warcraft III: Forsaken Kingdom—after Lordaeron's fall but before Arthas's corruption, essentially Year 1 of Vanilla. However, the future is unwritten, allowing for alternate storylines and events that might have been or never occurred.

Players will begin their journey across the original continents up to level 60, where they will remain indefinitely. The rationale is to avoid rushing ahead and leaving achievements, gear, and friends behind. Instead, progress will occur through new systems, story updates, and fresh experiences.

Longdale expressed gratitude, emphasizing that this project was built on player feedback. She stated that without the community, none of this would exist, and that Forever was born from the team embracing the long-standing passion for Classic Plus and infusing it with their own magic.

World of Warcraft: Forever launches seven weeks from now on November 4. The beta begins this Thursday, and the game is playable directly on the BlizzCon show floor.

Further details will be revealed during the panel following the keynote and in a Deep Dive panel the following morning.