Leona Lewis
Banned
The original title was "Blizzcon wasn't great this year" or something like that.
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Blizzcon 2016 - The worst Blizzcon ever? [Up: Full content list for judging]
- Thread starter Altima
- Start date
Enter the Dragon Punch
Banned
"Blizzcon 2016 - The worst Blizzcon ever?"
Acerac
Banned
The thread is now fixed, the moderators ensured the board runs smoothly by changing the thread title repeatedly.
It's a diablo 1 themed dungeon using reused assets, available for one month only. Not what I'd consider great, no.
KLoWn
Member
The people who had hyped themselves up for a full remake wasn't pleased, but that's their own fault. And I don't think it's the full game, just the dungeon? But I may be wrong.
Yep, and developers of absurdly polished, playable games that stay relevant for years through incredible post release support.
I know GAF has a large contingency of people who seem to really dislike Blizzard, but I have a lot of trouble understanding that.
Worldshaker
Member
Except it's not even D1 remake. It's a set of rifts with 4 bosses with a D1 theme. It's also only available for 1 month a year.
The Necromancer class won't be available for 6+ months.
They did nothing yet to address D3s biggest problems: Paragon and Itemization. The game isn't even a hunt for gear, it's all about farming EXP until your brain shuts down.
MasterMenace
Member
All I wanted was a Diablo 4 announcement...
Dog Problems
Banned
I went into it with zero expectations, other than something involving the necromancer from Diablo, so I was pleasantly surprised overall. World of Warcraft especially showed some really neat things for the future.
RecRoulette
Member
During the opening ceremony sure, but the individual panels had a lot of great information...unless you're a Diablo fan.
Hmm, I noticed the title changing, and then that this thread (judging by timestamps, both before and after the change) was largely people yelling at each other, so I think we'll take a new direction.
I'm going to update the OP with all the content announced at Blizzcon, switch the title to the original (with a note that all the content announced is now in the OP), and append a poll.
I'm going to update the OP with all the content announced at Blizzcon, switch the title to the original (with a note that all the content announced is now in the OP), and append a poll.
Don't really understand what people expected. They're currently maintaining SIX games-as-services. If you aren't invested in these games at the moment then maybe BlizzCon isn't for you.
God, Valve currently only updates three of their games and if they received half this amount of content you would think it was Christmas.
God, Valve currently only updates three of their games and if they received half this amount of content you would think it was Christmas.
Red Arremer
Member
Not to be rude, but there's a Blizzcon thread, perhaps it would be better to do the whole all announced information in the OP bit there, or perhaps merge this and the other one? Just a suggestion of course - all up to you in the end.
petethepanda
Member
Is it common for them to not stream the art and tech panels? The Overwatch sound one starting now is practically the only panel I wanted to watch that is actually being streamed, kicking myself for not researching more before buying a virtual ticket.
They streamed some WoW art panels years ago, but that's before they had such large conventions. I believe there are people recording them. Don't be surprised to see them on YT later.
And I feel ya; the art and tech panels are some of my favorite.
Well said.
IIRC they have streamed those panels in the past. It is disappointing especially with the cost of the ticket. Hopefully they'll make videos available later at least.
Red Arremer
Member
The sound panel is getting streamed right now. Try refreshing the Blizzcon stream page and pick the PANELS option at the top.
But yeah, I also was really disappointed not all of the art panels got streamed. That was the main draw of the Ticket for me.
Teletraan1
Banned
Their entire strategy seems to be making games as a service. Since I play one of their games I am happy to see the information that came out of this blizzcon. Not that I would have ever paid money to watch it live or anything. That is just lol to me. What would they have announced anyway? I wasn't expecting anything so I wasn't disappointed. Check your expectations and you will find yourself a happier person. And don't pay to be marketed to and you will be happier as well.
yo_soy_el_topo
Member
Remember when they showed Diablo 3 really early and then it was canceled/re-hauled. People had a place to point to what it could have been/was at one time. They probably learned their lesson a bit on announcing anything early. Overwatch sort of came out of nowhere so I think most things will be like that from now on.
The most popular Blizzard and Diablo fan sites were talking about Diablo 4 or an expansion for months, combined with a milestone anniversary date...
Acting like people are stupid for expecting big news is just being an ass.
capitalCORN
Member
A long in the tooth console vs. PC narrative. The way PC games were 'too sharp', until the HD consoles released... How Valve only became a GAF darling after releasing the Orange Box. Now it's 30fps vs 60fps.
Spiritwalker
Member
Yup, easily the worst Blizzcon I can remember.
Blizzcon doesn't exist for the sole purpose of announcing new games for Blizzard. It's mainly where the world championships of their competitive games are held and their community is celebrated. They did announce a lot of awesome content as well though.
Gaf has a bit of a slant towards console gaming and AAA single player experiences, so a PC-first developer of service games isn't appreciated by that majority.
Gaf has a bit of a slant towards console gaming and AAA single player experiences, so a PC-first developer of service games isn't appreciated by that majority.
Wickerbasket
Member
I would have liked a new Diablo game announcement, but I was pretty happy with what they showed considering I still play HOTS, Diablo 3, Hearthstone and WoW.
I can't really complain about more free content for games I love.
I can't really complain about more free content for games I love.
Okay, added the list. Feel free to judge away.
New Games:
- No new games were announced.
Hearthstone:
- Hearthstone's newest expansion, Mean Streets of Gadgetzan, was announced. It has 132 new cards, several new mechanics, and a new play board. It releases in December.
Overwatch:
- Sombra (a new hero) and her cosmetic Skins and will release in November. This coincided with a two new animated shorts.
- A new map called Oasis (Control mode) was announced, and will release in January.
- A new selection of modes known as Arcade have been announced for the game. This includes:
-- A new map dedicated to arcade modes called Eco Point: Antarctica. It's smaller to fit the smaller player count.
-- A 1v1 dueling mode that's a best of 9. You get a random hero (that's the same as your opponent's) at the start of each round.
-- A 3v3 elimination mode where if you die, you die, unless you have a Mercy to res you.
-- A new Brawl playlist that features the most popular previous Brawls.
-- A 6v6 no limits mode that works like Quick Play used to.
-- You can get three loot boxes each week (one every three wins), and a loot box for playing the new content once.
-- This releases in November.
- There is also a new cross-over event with Heroes of the Storm where you earn a new Genji costume, spray, and avatar.
- Overwatch is getting a new eSports league.
Heroes of the Storm:
- Two new heroes were announced:
-- Varian Wrynn (Who is the first multiclassing hero in the game).
-- Ragnaros (Who has a unique fort takeover mechanic).
-- Zul'jin was also heavily teased as the next hero afterwards, though not formally unveiled.
-- The first two hereos are releasing in November and Early December respectively.
- A completely redone version of Haunted Mines was revealed, and is returning as the game's twelfth map, coming in November.
- They showed off one of the new weekly brawls that they feel illustrates how different they can be from the core game.
- They're redoing how account and hero leveling works so that it's both much faster, and gives you way more rewards.
- Hero League is becoming a solo queue, while Team League now accepts parties of 2, 3, and 5.
- They announced they intend to make PvE content similar to Junkenstein's Revenge for Overwatch, but that they don't have a timeline for release.
- They're redoing the stats page to show vastly more stats about how you are performing relative to both yourself and other players.
- Hero swaps in drafting are being added to the game.
- Clans are being added to the game, and have their own ranks, advancement systems, and tournaments.
- The way ranks work is being rebalanced for better competitive matchmaking.
- Blizzard voice chat is being integrated into the game.
- They unveiled a redesign of Kharazim (the Diablo 3 Monk) and teased several others.
- The party finder is being overhauled so that you now queue up and are matched into a party with people based on role and skill level, so that it's easier to find a consistent party to play with if you're normally a solo queuer, but don't want to be.
- Map rotations are being added to the game so that only 6-7 maps will be available at a time, but this will be rotated three times a season, so that you get to see individual maps more frequently.
- They're holding a huge new promotion event starting November 15th, where if you play 30 games with a friend, you get five free heroes and new Genji cosmetics in Overwatch.
StarCraft 2:
- The final three mission set of Nova's campaign is being released in November along with a supporting comic.
- A new co-op commander, Alexi Stukov, is being added to the game.
- Two new co-op missions are being added to the game:
-- The first is Miner Evacuation about escorting civilians.
-- The other is a reinvention of Left 2 Die to fit with the co-op commander system.
- War Chests are being added for StarCraft e-Sports seasons and essentially work like Dota 2 compendiums. You get a bunch of rewards up front and unlock new ones as you do things.
- There is a large collection of new Weekly Mutators coming to co-op mode.
- There are also seasonal events coming to co-op mode.
- Finally, co-op is getting a new leaderboard system.
- A variety of new Arcade features were teased but not announced.
- A new custom tournament mode is coming.
- StarCraft 2 will be getting a Watch tab similar to Dota 2 where you can watch games live.
- They unveiled balance changes for around 15 multiplayer units. These consisted of:
-- Some units are getting complete unit redesigns like the Cyclone.
-- Other units are getting new abilities.
-- A lot are simpler balance changes like damage number and range changes.
Diablo 3:
- The Necromancer class is being added to the game in the second half of 2017 as paid DLC.
- A new 16 level rift that recreates Diablo 1's general progression structure and level design is being added to the game:
-- It uses Diablo 3 art assets with a pixelation filter, along with music and UI changes to look more like Diablo 1.
-- The four primary bosses of Diablo 1 are being added (these actually use new art assets and are newly designed fights in general).
-- It has a eight way movement gate and by beating it, you are rewarded a new gem and helmet transmog that is meant to evoke the wanderer who turned into Diablo in Diablo 2.
-- This goes on the PTR in November, and live in January.
- Two new zones are also being added as explorable Adventure Mode areas. We don't know much about them.
- The game is also getting a new crafting inventory to hold all your crafting materials.
- There will be a new equipment and build manager to help you switch between builds and equipment sets much more easily.
- Season are being added to Diablo 3 on consoles.
- There is also a new feature called Challenge Rifts being unveiled today (as in, after the time this post went up). It's a new type of rift that excludes your Paragon levels, item stats, augments, and other bonuses so people can compare on a more even level.
World of Warcraft:
- I'm just going to copy MMO Champion on this one.
- That said, they essentially unveiled patches 7.1.5 and 7.2 with a teaser for the patches aftewards. Both patches are gigantic.
New Games:
- No new games were announced.
Hearthstone:
- Hearthstone's newest expansion, Mean Streets of Gadgetzan, was announced. It has 132 new cards, several new mechanics, and a new play board. It releases in December.
Overwatch:
- Sombra (a new hero) and her cosmetic Skins and will release in November. This coincided with a two new animated shorts.
- A new map called Oasis (Control mode) was announced, and will release in January.
- A new selection of modes known as Arcade have been announced for the game. This includes:
-- A new map dedicated to arcade modes called Eco Point: Antarctica. It's smaller to fit the smaller player count.
-- A 1v1 dueling mode that's a best of 9. You get a random hero (that's the same as your opponent's) at the start of each round.
-- A 3v3 elimination mode where if you die, you die, unless you have a Mercy to res you.
-- A new Brawl playlist that features the most popular previous Brawls.
-- A 6v6 no limits mode that works like Quick Play used to.
-- You can get three loot boxes each week (one every three wins), and a loot box for playing the new content once.
-- This releases in November.
- There is also a new cross-over event with Heroes of the Storm where you earn a new Genji costume, spray, and avatar.
- Overwatch is getting a new eSports league.
Heroes of the Storm:
- Two new heroes were announced:
-- Varian Wrynn (Who is the first multiclassing hero in the game).
-- Ragnaros (Who has a unique fort takeover mechanic).
-- Zul'jin was also heavily teased as the next hero afterwards, though not formally unveiled.
-- The first two hereos are releasing in November and Early December respectively.
- A completely redone version of Haunted Mines was revealed, and is returning as the game's twelfth map, coming in November.
- They showed off one of the new weekly brawls that they feel illustrates how different they can be from the core game.
- They're redoing how account and hero leveling works so that it's both much faster, and gives you way more rewards.
- Hero League is becoming a solo queue, while Team League now accepts parties of 2, 3, and 5.
- They announced they intend to make PvE content similar to Junkenstein's Revenge for Overwatch, but that they don't have a timeline for release.
- They're redoing the stats page to show vastly more stats about how you are performing relative to both yourself and other players.
- Hero swaps in drafting are being added to the game.
- Clans are being added to the game, and have their own ranks, advancement systems, and tournaments.
- The way ranks work is being rebalanced for better competitive matchmaking.
- Blizzard voice chat is being integrated into the game.
- They unveiled a redesign of Kharazim (the Diablo 3 Monk) and teased several others.
- The party finder is being overhauled so that you now queue up and are matched into a party with people based on role and skill level, so that it's easier to find a consistent party to play with if you're normally a solo queuer, but don't want to be.
- Map rotations are being added to the game so that only 6-7 maps will be available at a time, but this will be rotated three times a season, so that you get to see individual maps more frequently.
- They're holding a huge new promotion event starting November 15th, where if you play 30 games with a friend, you get five free heroes and new Genji cosmetics in Overwatch.
StarCraft 2:
- The final three mission set of Nova's campaign is being released in November along with a supporting comic.
- A new co-op commander, Alexi Stukov, is being added to the game.
- Two new co-op missions are being added to the game:
-- The first is Miner Evacuation about escorting civilians.
-- The other is a reinvention of Left 2 Die to fit with the co-op commander system.
- War Chests are being added for StarCraft e-Sports seasons and essentially work like Dota 2 compendiums. You get a bunch of rewards up front and unlock new ones as you do things.
- There is a large collection of new Weekly Mutators coming to co-op mode.
- There are also seasonal events coming to co-op mode.
- Finally, co-op is getting a new leaderboard system.
- A variety of new Arcade features were teased but not announced.
- A new custom tournament mode is coming.
- StarCraft 2 will be getting a Watch tab similar to Dota 2 where you can watch games live.
- They unveiled balance changes for around 15 multiplayer units. These consisted of:
-- Some units are getting complete unit redesigns like the Cyclone.
-- Other units are getting new abilities.
-- A lot are simpler balance changes like damage number and range changes.
Diablo 3:
- The Necromancer class is being added to the game in the second half of 2017 as paid DLC.
- A new 16 level rift that recreates Diablo 1's general progression structure and level design is being added to the game:
-- It uses Diablo 3 art assets with a pixelation filter, along with music and UI changes to look more like Diablo 1.
-- The four primary bosses of Diablo 1 are being added (these actually use new art assets and are newly designed fights in general).
-- It has a eight way movement gate and by beating it, you are rewarded a new gem and helmet transmog that is meant to evoke the wanderer who turned into Diablo in Diablo 2.
-- This goes on the PTR in November, and live in January.
- Two new zones are also being added as explorable Adventure Mode areas. We don't know much about them.
- The game is also getting a new crafting inventory to hold all your crafting materials.
- There will be a new equipment and build manager to help you switch between builds and equipment sets much more easily.
- Season are being added to Diablo 3 on consoles.
- There is also a new feature called Challenge Rifts being unveiled today (as in, after the time this post went up). It's a new type of rift that excludes your Paragon levels, item stats, augments, and other bonuses so people can compare on a more even level.
World of Warcraft:
- I'm just going to copy MMO Champion on this one.
- That said, they essentially unveiled patches 7.1.5 and 7.2 with a teaser for the patches aftewards. Both patches are gigantic.
MMO Champion said:
'non existing stuff'
Blizzard blew it out of the sky for me so much stuff for every game.
First time ever I skipped virtual ticket and with a good reason. It's not great if your opening ceremony highlights are unveiling couple of new characters when you are running 6 franchises simultaneously and it's your 25 year anniversary. Still, good updates for most games but people were generally expecting a bit more.
I'm happy with Blizzcon and my virtual ticket purchase. Watching five panels today alone. Sure, no massive surprises but I'm happy. I'm not even invested into HOTS, D3, or SC2 but it was still fun seeing what's coming up for those games.
The WoW panel was awesome. This Overwatch sound panel right now is fantastic.
The WoW panel was awesome. This Overwatch sound panel right now is fantastic.
Stop hyping you're self up with this, every time i see this everyone expect a new game or even expansion at this point, if they do want to announce it. That will happen next year around gamescom or even blizzcon for a few of there games.
petethepanda
Member
The Overwatch sound panel is indeed great, glad at least this one is being streamed.
Like i said in this thread before i buy the virtual ticket every year because those fantastic panels and those in-game goodies? I am more than happy to show them off to people.
I mean i got Mini Tyrael from WWI08 in France..that is a unique one.
It is awesome hearing it.
ashecitism
Member
The question seems to be more if you are happy with the direction Blizzard is going as a game developer in the recent years. This years Blizzcon just reflects it more than the previous years.
Only 2 panel streams, but 4 esport streams. Booo. Worst Blizzcon indeed.
Only 2 panel streams, but 4 esport streams. Booo. Worst Blizzcon indeed.
suikoden352
Neo Member
I'm just glad to finally be able to play as a Necromancer in d3 because that was my main class in d2. Also I am glad seasons are coming to consoles too. I always enjoyed the season stuff from d2. The d1 stuff for January will be a nice little throwback. I didn't want the world from blizzcon but those few things will do just fine for my simpleton self.
Wow, I completely missed that D3 is getting seasons on consoles. I wonder if they fixed, or is being fixed with this patch, the exploit to keep all your blood shards/gold/mats. I hate that it exists because I feel like I have to do it, even if I don't.
But to be on topic, I wasn't expecting much from this Blizzcon, so I'm not really disappointed. Compared to other years, it did feel like a lot less was going on.
But to be on topic, I wasn't expecting much from this Blizzcon, so I'm not really disappointed. Compared to other years, it did feel like a lot less was going on.