Blizzard Entertainment recently concluded its highly anticipated Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct, a nearly hour-long presentation akin to a miniature BlizzCon. During this special event, fans were treated to an array of exciting announcements and updates spanning the entire Warcraft franchise. From fresh content for World of Warcraft to remastered classics, the Direct showcased what’s next for this beloved universe.
If you missed the live presentation, don’t fret! We’ve compiled all the essential highlights from the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct.
World of Warcraft: The War Within – Major Update Revealed
The spotlight first shone on World of Warcraft, currently navigating the first major story arc of its expansion, The War Within. Blizzard unveiled the first significant patch titled “Undermine(d)”, which will take players into the depths of the goblin capital, Undermine, for the very first time.
Scheduled for release in early 2024, the patch promises an array of new content, including:
- A customizable vehicle
- New story elements
- A new arena map
- A fresh dungeon
- Two new delves
- A new raid
Additional updates will also enhance the gameplay experience. Stay tuned for more details on patch 11.1, Undermine(d).
Player Housing Finally Coming to World of Warcraft: Midnight
In what was perhaps the most exciting reveal, Blizzard teased its upcoming expansion, Midnight. While further details remain under wraps, it was confirmed that this expansion will finally introduce a long-requested feature: player housing. Full details are expected to be unveiled in the summer of 2024, generating anticipation among the player community.
World of Warcraft: Classic to Journey into Pandaria
As the classic experience continues, Blizzard announced that World of Warcraft: Classic will transition to the Mists of Pandaria expansion in 2025. For players who prefer the original experience, Blizzard will introduce new “vanilla” Classic realms on November 21, featuring fresh PvE, PvP, and Hardcore servers. These realms will gradually progress through the original content, with the iconic Molten Core raid opening shortly after their launch.
Eventually, the PvE and PvP realms will transition into The Burning Crusade Classic, allowing players to relive the expansion journey from the beginning.
Classic Titles Get Modern Remasters
Kicking off the presentation, Blizzard made a thrilling announcement: both Warcraft I and Warcraft II are receiving remasters. These updates will feature enhanced graphics and numerous quality-of-life improvements, although they will not be complete remakes. Notably, Warcraft II will also include multiplayer support, allowing players to engage with legacy custom maps.
Additionally, a new patch for Warcraft III: Reforged will introduce a graphics overhaul and other enhancements aimed at improving the overall player experience. All three remastered titles will be available in a new Battle Chest, with pricing adjusted based on existing ownership of the games.
Hearthstone’s Exciting Crossover with Starcraft
In the world of card games, Hearthstone is gearing up for a thrilling crossover with another Blizzard classic: Starcraft. The roadmap for 2025 reveals that the new year will kick off with a mini set themed around Starcraft, featuring unique themes and powers from all three factions: Protoss, Zerg, and Terran.
Following this, the first expansion of 2025 will explore the Emerald Dream, leading into a return to the Un’Goro Crater for the The Shrouded City expansion. The year will conclude with a time-themed expansion titled The Heroes of Time, featuring the ever-popular time traveler, Chromie.
Warcraft Rumble Expands to PC
Finally, Warcraft Rumble is celebrating its first anniversary with exciting news: it is officially making the leap to PC! In addition to this major announcement, a new update will introduce split faction leaders, allowing characters like Orgrim Doomhammer and Malfurion Stormrage to belong to two factions simultaneously.
A closed beta for the PC version is set to launch on December 10, allowing fans to enjoy the mobile game on a larger platform.
With these announcements, Blizzard continues to captivate its community, igniting excitement for the future of the Warcraft franchise. Stay tuned for more updates as they unfold!
