PC requirements for the game Diablo 2: Resurrected are not particularly monstrous. If you run Diablo 2 on your computer right now, chances are you'll be able to run Diablo 2: Resurrected with little change or upgrade. This is, of course, for the most basic and low-resolution version of the game, but still - it's none too wild!
At BlizzConline over the weekend, Blizzard revealed the long-awaited Diablo 2 remake, which will be known as Diablo 2 Resurrected. Obviously, the reveal of Diablo 2 Resurrected sparked a lot of questions among fans, especially after the disaster that was Warcraft 3 Reforged. Blizzard - or more specifically Vicarious Visions, the Blizzard subsidiary working on Diablo 2 Resurrected - has answered some of those burning questions, especially a very important one about whether or not Diablo 2 Resurrected will overwrite original Diablo 2 installs.
Blizzard has announced a remastered version of Diablo II for gaming consoles and PC. The updated version is called Diablo II: Resurrected, and it'll offer gameplay at up to 4K with remastered graphics and cross-platform progression alongside the classic gameplay. Blizzard is currently in the technical alpha phase.
Thank to the COVID-19 pandemic, last year Blizzard decided to not only delay BlizzCon - its annual event where it details new games and major updates to its existing lineup of titles - but also to turn it into an online-only affair. This new event, dubbed BlizzConline, is finally happening this weekend, and judging by some of the leaks so far, it'll definitely be worth tuning into despite the fact that it's going to have a very different feel.
Yesterday, Blizzard suffered a leak in which details about World of Warcraft: Shadowlands and World of Warcraft Classic were revealed ahead of BlizzConline, which is an online-only stand-in for what should have been BlizzCon 2020 in November. Now, even more information has leaked out, this time about a rumored Blizzard Arcade Collection, which revisits Blizzard's classic games from the past.
Just the day before BlizzConline - the all-online replacement for what was supposed to be BlizzCon 2021 - is set to kick off, Blizzard's announcements regarding retail World of Warcraft and World of Warcraft Classic have leaked out. These leaks detail not only what's next for retail WoW's latest expansion, Shadowlands, but also what will be coming in World of Warcraft Classic in 2021 - something that we're sure most WoW Classic players have already figured out.
The next major Hearthstone update will switch out the old Basic and Classic sets for the first time EVER. This is a relatively daring move for a game and an app that's kept the same skeleton pack of cards since inception. With this next rotation, Hearthstone will introduce a brand new "Core Set."
If you were holding out hope for either Diablo 4 or Overwatch 2 releasing in 2021, then we unfortunately have some sour news for you. It looks like neither game is going to make it out the gate this year, with Activision-Blizzard reporting in a recent call with investors the launches of Diablo 4 and Overwatch 2 aren't being included in its outlook for 2021.
This week the folks at Blizzard responsible for pumping up their next major games conference revealed a set of "packs" before the show. These packs include goodies for games of all sorts, including Hearthstone, Heroes of the Storm, Overwatch, and StarCraft II. Also in the mix for goods were Diablo III, and World of Warcraft. The packs were made available this week for approximately $20, $40, and $60 USD, depending on which level you were looking for.
The folks at Vicarious Visions will soon need to switch up their digital business cards. Back in the year 2005, the developer brand and its developers were acquired by the folks at Activision. In the year 2008, Acivision merged with Blizzard, forming Acivision Blizzard. So why should you or I or anyone spend even a moment thinking about how the Activision-owned developer group Vicarious Visions was merged into Blizzard?
Although Steam has become the de facto game store and community platform on PCs, almost every major publisher has its own little island to speak of. Actually predating even Steam, Blizzard's (now Activision Blizzard) Battle.net has always been the go-to for fans of Diablo, WarCraft, and, more recently, Overwatch. Despite its heavy use, the Internet portal turned Desktop app hasn't seen much action in terms of design. The latest update doesn't exactly overhaul Battle.net but it does finally let it catch up to its peers.
If you're looking for something to play over the holidays, it seems that Blizzard has you covered. As it tends to do every once in a while, Blizzard has made Overwatch free-to-play for a limited time, allowing those who have yet to take the plunge check it out without spending any money first. The difference this time around is the length of time Overwatch is going free-to-play.