BlizzCon 2026 has brought amazing and unexpected announcements

Blizzard returns to the front pages across the world with the announcements made at BlizzCon 2026. We already knew that something big was cooking for Starcraft, but there's been quite a few exciting surprises for most of the company's franchises, including World of Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, Heroes of the Storm, and Hearthstone. However, three major announcements could shape the future of its biggest franchises. Diablo V is official, StarCraft is returning in a surprising new form, and World of Warcraft: Forever is offering classic MMO fans a new home with original content.

What's new at Blizzard's universe?

The announcements were made during the BlizzCon 2026 opening ceremony yesterday. Here's what Blizzard has confirmed, what makes each project interesting, and which details are still missing.

Diablo V is coming, but Sanctuary is already doomed

The headline reveal was undoubtedly Diablo V, the next mainline entry in Blizzard's dark fantasy action RPG series. The game is scheduled to launch in Spring 2029, meaning fans will have to wait quite a while before getting their hands on it. The announcement trailer sets a grim tone for the franchise: Diablo has won, and Sanctuary has fallen. That's quite the starting point for a new game, and it suggests that Blizzard wants to explore what happens when the forces of evil have already achieved their ultimate victory. So far, Blizzard has just reveales a teaser, but the premise alone gives Diablo V a different flavor from its predecessors. Rather than another battle to prevent disaster, players could be stepping into a world already shaped by it.

Of course, Blizzard isn't leaving Diablo IV behind. The game will continue receiving content, with the Season of Hell's Legacy bringing back the Prime Evils, including Diablo himself, on September 15. Deckard Cain will also return as part of the anniversary celebrations. Also, the Amazon class is scheduled to arrive in the first half of 2027, while Diablo IV is also making its way to Nintendo Switch 2. So, although Diablo V is still years away, Sanctuary won't be running out of demons anytime soon.

StarCraft returns, but forget about StarCraft III for now

After years of waiting, StarCraft is finally making a comeback. The catch? Blizzard isn't returning with another traditional RTS. The new StarCraft project is an open-world shooter, currently scheduled for Spring 2030. Yes, you read that correctly: the universe famous for massive armies, base building, and competitive strategy is heading into a completely different genre. The announcement cinematic focuses on the Dominion and its soldiers preparing for war against the Zerg. It's a familiar setting, but the format could change everything about how players experience it.

Blizzard hasn't revealed much gameplay yet, so it's too early to know whether this will be a full-scale campaign-driven shooter, an open-world adventure, or something closer to a multiplayer-focused experience. Either way, this is a huge gamble. StarCraft has a dedicated audience that has been waiting for a proper return to the series in its RTS form. So many years after the arrival of Starcraft II and its Legacy of the Void expansion, not everyone will be thrilled by the change. Still, Blizzard clearly wants to explore new possibilities by opening the franchise to a new public.

World of Warcraft: Forever is the Classic+ fans wanted

If Diablo V and StarCraft were the surprises, World of Warcraft: Forever might be the announcement that gets longtime MMO players talking the most. Blizzard has revealed a new experience set during the first year of the original 2004 World of Warcraft. However, this isn't simply another trip down memory lane. World of Warcraft: Forever expands the classic formula with new content while aiming to preserve the feeling of Vanilla WoW.

The game launches on November 4, 2026, with its beta starting September 17. Players can expect new zones, more than 1,000 quests, nine new dungeons, two new raids, and a new playable race called the Skyborne. The level cap remains at 60, keeping the progression closer to the original experience rather than modern WoW. World of Warcraft: Forever will allow players to switch between classic and high-definition graphics, giving them a choice between nostalgia and a more modern presentation.

This could be Blizzard's most interesting experiment with Classic yet. Instead of simply cycling through old expansions, Forever attempts to create a new version of the original game.with an idea that is certainly more ambitious than another re-release.

Also, Blizzard continues supporting the World of Warcraft modern experience, which is currently immersed in the trilogy of expansions known as the Worldsoul Saga. A new cinematic trailer focused on the new update for Midnight and a teaser for The Last Titan give the fans of the MMORPG enough reasons to be thrilled.

Warcraft III: Reforged has not been forgotten, and it's getting a new story campaign called The Forsaken Kingdom, revisiting the fall of Lordaeron and the rise of the Undercity. The game will also receive the 3.0 update, which includes a graphics update and a revamped World Editor.

Overwatch 2 keeps the content coming

Overwatch 2 also had a place in the spotlight, with Blizzard revealing new content for the hero shooter as it celebrates its 10th anniversary. The biggest addition is Doctrine, a new Support hero inspired by vampires and equipped with bat-like drones. He will join the roster in Season 5, alongside the Watchpoint: Grimsvötn map.

Also, Sombra and Roadhog are also receiving reworks, while the Reign of Talon story arc will conclude in Season 5. Blizzard has confirmed that the next Overwatch Spotlight will take place in February 2027, offering a look at what's coming next for the game.

A new hero class for Hearthstone

Hearthstone is returning to the world of the Old Gods with the Reign of the Black Empire expansion on October 20. The Monk class will arrive in March 2027, marking the first new playable class in six years. New cards and new ways to play; what else could the fans wish for?

A new hero arrives at the Nexus

Blizzard's MOBA, Heroes of the Storm, will see the arrival of a new hero. Xal'atath will become playable on September 28 as a new assassin with outstanding capabilities for dealing damage at range and controlling the battlefield.

Blizzard is thinking bigger than ever

BlizzCon 2026 was a statement of intent. Blizzard is preparing to take some of its biggest franchises in new directions. Diablo V promises a darker future for Sanctuary, StarCraft is stepping outside its RTS roots, and World of Warcraft: Forever is trying to reinvent the classic experience without losing its identity. There are still plenty of questions surrounding these projects, but after yesterday's ceremony, one thing is clear: Blizzard has plenty of ambitious plans for the years ahead. Of course, you can rest assured that we will cover whatever information is available regarding those projects on our news section, and out comparator will continue to provide the best deals for all Blizzard games.