BlizzCon 2026 Reveals StarCraft Spin-Off Arriving 2030 and Diablo V

Blizzard Entertainment made its return to in-person conventions with BlizzCon 2026 in Anaheim, California, marking its first such event since 2023. The opening ceremony delivered numerous announcements spanning the company’s entire gaming portfolio, with reveals including a long-awaited StarCraft spin-off and the next mainline Diablo game. Blizzard outlined development plans extending well into the coming decade, demonstrating its commitment to major releases across multiple franchises.

StarCraft’s Rumored Spin-Off Finally Revealed

The ceremony kicked off with a cinematic trailer depicting Terran marines engaged in brutal combat sequences, introducing a StarCraft spin-off that had been the subject of industry speculation for years. The project is led by Dan Hay, who previously served as the head of Far Cry at Ubisoft, bringing significant experience in action game design to the franchise.

Beyond the opening cinematic, specific details about gameplay mechanics, narrative scope, or intended gameplay innovations remained sparse. The announcement confirmed that the spin-off will not arrive until 2030, giving Blizzard several years to develop the project. The decision to unveil the game through a cinematic trailer featuring intense combat rather than gameplay footage suggests the team remains in early development stages. This approach stands in contrast to typical gameplay reveals, indicating that Blizzard is prioritizing narrative presentation over demonstrating mechanics at this stage.

Diablo Franchise Expansions Across Entertainment

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Netflix Series and Television Adaptations

Blizzard confirmed that an animated Diablo series is in development with Netflix, though no specific release date was announced. The series represents part of a larger television expansion strategy, as Blizzard also confirmed that adaptations based on Overwatch and World of Warcraft are in active development. These announcements signal that Blizzard intends to establish itself as a significant content producer beyond gaming, licensing its intellectual properties to reach audiences beyond traditional interactive entertainment. The company’s commitment to television adaptations reflects a broader industry trend of extending game franchises across multiple media platforms.

Diablo V and the Evolution of Sanctuary

A cinematic teaser unveiled during the ceremony revealed that Diablo V is scheduled for 2029, bringing the story of Sanctuary to a critical moment as the game explores the fall of the world itself. Blizzard promised that Diablo V will deliver significant evolutions to both the game world and the class system, though specific details were reserved for later panels during the convention. The announcement positions Diablo V as a landmark entry in the franchise, suggesting the developers are planning substantial departures from the mechanics and storytelling established in Diablo IV.

Separate from the mainline sequel, Diablo IV will receive an Amazon class pack during the first half of 2027. The Amazon brings a ranged focus to Diablo IV’s roster, wielding bows as the primary weapon alongside javelins as a secondary option. This dual-weapon approach distinguishes the Amazon from the existing classes in Diablo IV, offering players a new playstyle centered on projectile-based combat and mobility. The inclusion of two weapon types suggests the Amazon is designed to provide tactical flexibility in both single-target and area-of-effect scenarios.

Card Game Expansions

The digital card game will launch new content on October 20, introducing expanded gameplay options to the existing player base. Additionally, the Monk class will debut in the card game during 2027, marking the first time this martial arts-focused class has appeared in Blizzard’s card game. This expansion of the card game roster indicates ongoing support for the title and its competitive and casual communities alike.

Overwatch Transitions to Nintendo Switch

Overwatch is coming to Nintendo Switch on September 15, expanding the team-based shooter to Blizzard’s first handheld console release. The port arrives simultaneously with season 5, which introduces Doctrine, a support character built on stealth mechanics and healing functionality. Doctrine operates as a vampire-like healer equipped with drones that restore health to nearby teammates, adding a new tactical dimension to support play. The character will become available through a hero trial that begins immediately, with Blizzard releasing a cinematic short showcasing Doctrine’s unique abilities and intended gameplay role. The Switch version represents a significant technical achievement, bringing the fast-paced shooter experience to portable hardware.

World of Warcraft’s Expansive 2027 Roadmap

The 12th Expansion and Eclipse

World of Warcraft will receive its 12th expansion in 2027, serving as the conclusion to the Worldsoul Saga that has shaped the MMO’s narrative direction over multiple expansion cycles. The expansion, revealed through a trailer titled Eclipse, introduces a robot equipped with oversized laser cannons as a major gameplay element or visual centerpiece. This announcement follows Blizzard’s decision to scale back major new developments in 2022, though the MMO has continued receiving seasonal patches and consistent content updates. The 12th expansion represents a significant return to ambitious scope after the more measured approach of recent years.

Warcraft 3 Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom

Warcraft 3 Reforged: Forsaken Kingdom launches today, continuing the remaster series with a new campaign following The Fall of Lordaeron. The release delivers 30 hours of content, introduces a new graphics mode for improved visual fidelity, and adds a previously unavailable unit to the strategy game’s roster. The release reflects Blizzard’s ongoing effort to refresh the classic real-time strategy title for contemporary audiences while maintaining the gameplay that made the original iconic.

World of Warcraft: Forever and Alternate Timeline Gameplay

World of Warcraft: Forever, a new service for vanilla World of Warcraft, launches on November 4, introducing a fresh gameplay approach that diverges from the established canon. Forever will explore alternate narrative paths for some of World of Warcraft’s most iconic moments, beginning with events from the game’s opening year and branching into different outcomes than players experienced in the original release. The service will exist alongside standard and Classic servers, meaning players will have three distinct World of Warcraft experiences available simultaneously. This branching timeline approach allows players to experience familiar stories with alternate conclusions and ramifications. Beyond the 2027 expansion, Blizzard has confirmed the next expansion will be titled Reign of the Black Empire.

Heroes of the Storm Receives New Characters

Xal’atath, the Harbinger of the Void, is being added to Heroes of the Storm, Blizzard’s multiplayer online battle arena. The character will not be the only new addition, as Blizzard confirmed additional heroes are scheduled for future seasonal patches. Despite major development being scaled back in 2022, Heroes of the Storm has maintained continuous support through seasonal content updates, ensuring the game continues to receive new playable characters and mechanical changes. The addition of Xal’atath demonstrates that Blizzard remains committed to evolving the MOBA alongside its other franchises.