May 15 2019
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wow classic

World of Warcraft Classic Out this Fall, Closed Beta Running Now

Posted by | News, PC | No Comments

In a stirring example of “ask and you shall receive,” Blizzard Entertainment is launching World of Warcraft Classic on August 27 worldwide. It’s out a day earlier in the US, August 26, at 3 pm Pacific/6 pm Eastern.

The launch will be preceded by a “small-scale, focused closed beta test” to help stress test the servers. Active WoW subscribers can opt into the closed beta via Blizzard account management. The closed beta will run from May 15 through July. Players will have a greater chance to join during the three stress test periods that run throughout the summer.

  • Stress Test 1: Wed May 22–Thurs May 23
  • Stress Test 2: Wed Jun 19– Thurs Jun 20
  • Stress Test 3: Thurs Jul 18– Fri July 19

Opting into the closed beta does not guarantee a spot. Participants will be chosen based on different factors, including how long they’ve subscribed to World of Warcraft, with Blizzard seeking “the right mix of players.”

WoW Classic is a uniquely retro version of the behemoth MMO that brings the gameplay, world, and progression back to the year 2006, just before the launch of the Burning Crusade expansion. Also referred to as Vanilla WoW, fan-created emulated servers of the classic MMO had been previously shut down by Blizzard. After claiming that it was impossible to do, Blizzard has now reversed course due to fan demand.

Wow Classic servers will use the 1.12 patch, and gradually roll out new content and features similarly to the original schedule over a decade ago. This includes the gradual roll out of the PvP and Battlegrounds systems.

Active subscribers will be able to claim their character name in WoW Classic beginning on August 13, when character creation becomes available. WoW Classic will be freely included in regular World of Warcraft subscriptions, which remains $15/month.

Wow Classic will launch on August 26 on PC (Blizzard Launcher). It’s rated T for Teen.

Oct 12 2018
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lego overwatch

First LEGO Overwatch Figure is Omnic Bastion

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Earlier this year Activision Blizzard announced a partnership with LEGO to produce special Overwatch LEGO figures. The first of these sets is Omnic Bastion, and it’s available to order now exclusively on the Blizzard Gear store. It will also be available at BlizzCon, which takes place November 2-3 in Anaheim, California.

LEGO Overwatch Omnic Bastion is a large, buildable Bastion figure containing 182 pieces. Curiously, Bastion is featured in his orange Omnic Crisis skin rather than his default gray.

Once built the figure stands five inches tall, including the base. Bastion can swivel his waist and move his arms. Sadly, the LEGO Bastion doesn’t transform into a turret.

Bastion’s flying sidekick Ganymede is also included as a small buildable figure. The set has a recommended age of 10+ and costs $25.00.

A full launch of LEGO Overwatch figures is coming soon.

Overwatch is currently in the middle of its Halloween Terror 2018 event. The seasonal event features the return of Junkenstein’s Revenge and adds two new heroes to the fan-favorite mode – Brigitte and Tracer.

New loot boxes add new skins, emotes and highlight intros. The six new legendary skins are Banshee Moira, Bride Sombra, Enchanted Armor Pharah, Jack-O’-Lantern Wrecking Ball, Slasher: 76 Soldier 76, and Swamp Monster Doomfist. You can also find previous years’ Halloween loot and purchase them at a discount.

The Halloween event ends October 31.

Aug 17 2018
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diablo 3

Diablo 3 Eternal Collection Coming to Switch

Posted by | News, Switch | No Comments

All things must come to the Nintendo Switch, and Blizzard Entertainment’s seminal 2012 action-RPG Diablo 3 is no exception. Blizzard has officially announced the Diablo 3 Eternal Collection for Switch, coming later this year.

The Eternal Collection includes all previously released content updates, as well as the Reaper of Souls and Rise of the Necromancer DLC expansion packs. That’s seven character classes, a five-act campaign, and the endless and excellent Adventure Mode.

The Switch version features new “ultra-responsive” controls built specifically for the Switch. Also coming exclusively to Switch is The Legend of Zelda Ganondorf armor set, inspired from the villain from the Zelda series.

Like previous editions, the Eternal Collection will support both local and online cooperative multiplayer, including a shared screen and linked systems.

“The Eternal Collection is the definitive version of Diablo 3, and we’re thrilled to team up with Nintendo to unleash it for Nintendo Switch gamers around the world later this year,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Bringing the world together through epic entertainment is core to our mission at Blizzard – we can’t wait to welcome a new generation of demon-slayers to Sanctuary.”

Diablo 3 originally launched on PC in 2012. It underwent some major revisions and updates in the following years, most notably with the Reaper of Souls expansion, Adventure Mode update, and PlayStation 4 and Xbox One console ports in 2014. The most recent addition was the Rise of the Necromancer pack last summer, which added the Necromancer class.

Diablo 3 Eternal Collection will be shown at Gamescom and PAX West, and will release later this year. It’s rated M for Mature.