#blizzard
#blizzard

Blizzard PC Titles Will Return To China Under New Deal With NetEase

Blizzard renews partnership with NetEase for China market

Microsoft's involvement as parent company leading to re-established deal [ more ]

VG247

Overwatch 2 fails to justify its existence as Blizzard reportedly plans to scrap PvE altogether

Overwatch 2 is abandoning PvE content in favor of PvP

Team facing lack of bonuses due to policy changes and focus on individual franchise performance. [ more ]

Polygon

Overwatch 2 will stop locking new heroes behind a battle pass with season 10

Blizzard makes future heroes free for all players in Overwatch 2.

Mythic skins will be available for direct purchase in the new Mythic Shop. [ more ]

Kotaku

Overwatch 2 Devs Fear Story Missions Have Been Canceled

The story missions of Overwatch 2 are facing delays and deprioritization, causing concern among fans and developers.

Overwatch 2 has undergone significant changes from its original promises, shifting from a parallel existing game to a free-to-play title that replaces the first one. [ more ]

Kotaku

What's Going On With Overwatch 2's Story Missions?

Fans express concerns over lack of Overwatch 2 story missions updates

Blizzard's approach with Overwatch 2 shifts from the original pitch [ more ]

VG247

Blizzard's next big Diablo 4 livestream will talk game's first Public Test Realm, huge loot overhauls, and Season 4

Diablo 4 getting a Public Test Realm (PTR) with major loot system updates.

Blizzard's focus on player feedback through Campfire Chat livestreams. [ more ]

VG247

Blizzard will finally show off Diablo 4's Trials and the Gauntlet this week, so let's hope that also includes a release date

Blizzard is hosting a Livestream for Diablo 4 Campfire Chat to showcase Trials and Gauntlet features.

Teasers suggest 'bloodthirsty powers' related to Vampiric Powers might make a return in a different form in Diablo 4. [ more ]

Kotaku

Diablo 4's New Fast-Travel Portal Colors Cost $30

Blizzard is charging $30 for a bundle that adds five new color options for in-game portals in Diablo 4.

Many players feel that this is too expensive for a minor cosmetic change and that class-locking the content is unnecessary. [ more ]

GameSpot

Don't Sell Your Unused Diablo 4 Uber Uniques, Blizzard Promises They'll Be Useful Soon

Blizzard is advising Diablo 4 players to hold onto duplicate Uber Uniques as there are upcoming plans for them in the game.

Players are hoping for the ability to fine-tune Uber Unique stats, craft new Uber Uniques, or trade-in unwanted ones for different ones. [ more ]

VG247

Xbox Developer Direct: Avowed, Indiana Jones, Hellblade 2, and more - watch it here

The Xbox Developer Direct showcase will feature new and extended gameplay for upcoming games like Indiana Jones, Avowed, Ara: History Untold, and Senua's Saga: Hellblade 2.

The show will also include developer insights from teams at MachineGames, Obsidian, Oxide Studios, and Ninja Theory. [ more ]

Kqed

Would Measure HLA In Los Angeles Really Make Streets Safer? | KQED

High traffic fatalities in California, ballots for safer streets in L.A.

Massive Blizzard hits Sierra Nevada with heavy snow and business closures. [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

Powerful California blizzard shuts Tahoe, Mammoth roads; gust of 190 mph reported

Extreme weather conditions in California, with gusts up to 190 mph and heavy snow shutting down roads.

Record-breaking wind gusts and extreme avalanche danger in the Sierra backcountry. [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles

With blizzard pounding Tahoe area, even some ski resorts are urging people to stay away

Northern California ski resorts urge people to stay away due to dangerous blizzard conditions

Blizzard warning issued for Sierra Nevada with up to 12 feet of snow expected [ more ]

Axios

Prolonged California blizzard dumps more than 100 inches of snow in Sierra

Major snowfall hit California's Sierra Nevada mountains.

The storm significantly improved water resources for the state. [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

California begins digging out from monster blizzard but many roads still closed

Sierra Nevada impacted by monster blizzard, road closures

Impressive snowfall totals reported at Sierra ski resorts [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

'Bring a shovel': Yosemite partially reopens after blizzard brings as much as 45 inches of snow

Yosemite National Park partially reopened after a blizzard with heavy snow and high winds.

Officials expected up to 12 inches but received 25 inches of snow, causing park closure due to fallen trees. [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

Blizzard pummels Northern California with heavy snow and high winds, shutting down roads, ski areas

California's Sierra Nevada experienced a rare blizzard with up to 7 feet of snowfall, causing road closures and ski resort shutdowns.

Major highways like U.S. Highway 50 and Interstate 80 were temporarily closed due to heavy snowfall, with crews working to clear the roads. [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

Weakening wind but more snow after massive blizzard in the Sierra Nevada

Heavy snowfall expected in Sierra Nevada mountains

Power outages and road closures were significant impacts of the storm [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

Parts of the Sierra Nevada likely to get 10 feet of snow from powerful storm by weekend

Up to 10 feet of snow forecast for Sierra Nevada

Blizzard conditions with strong winds expected [ more ]

Kotaku

Report: Microsoft Cancels Blizzard's Survival Game Amid Layoffs

Microsoft has cut nearly 2,000 jobs in its gaming division, impacting employees at Activision Blizzard, ZeniMax, and Xbox.

Blizzard's in-development survival game, codenamed Odyssey, has been canceled and most of the team working on it were let go. [ more ]

GameSpot

Blizzard's Untitled Survival Game Has Been Canceled After President Leaves - Report

Blizzard's untitled survival game, codenamed Odyssey, has been canceled.

President Mike Ybarra has announced his departure from Blizzard. [ more ]

Game Informer

3 years ago

Microsoft Is Laying Off 1900 Employees Across Xbox, Activision Blizzard, And ZeniMax

Blizzard president Mike Ybarra is leaving the company, potentially linked to recent layoffs.

Ybarra expressed gratitude to impacted employees and reassured the Blizzard community about his departure. [ more ]

moremicrosoft

GameSpot

2 weeks ago

JavaScript

BlizzCon 2024 Canceled, But Blizzard Has Big Warcraft Plans In Store

Blizzard cancels 2024 BlizzCon but plans to return in the future. [ more ]

Kotaku

Looks Like Overwatch 2 And Other Blizzard Games Are Coming Back To China

Blizzard and NetEase end 14-year partnership impacting game availability in China.

Misunderstandings during negotiations led to suspension of Blizzard games in Chinese markets. [ more ]

WGB

Blizzard games set to return to China following leaked photo

Blizzard titles like World of Warcraft returning to Chinese market after 2023 ban.

NetEase and Activision Blizzard's partnership for game publishing in China rekindled after a collapse in 2022. [ more ]

Toucharcade

'Diablo Immortal' Precipice of Horror Update Now Live on iOS, Android, and PC

New Diablo Immortal update brings Elite Quest, activities, equipment, 1v1 duels, and more.

Patch includes new chapters, limited-time event, feature improvements, and returning events. [ more ]

GameSpot

We Finally Know WoW Subscription Numbers Thanks To A Blizzard GDC Talk

World of Warcraft estimated to have 7.25 million subscribers post-2022 Dragonflight launch

Blizzard admitted shortcomings in Shadowlands contributing to historically high subscription cancellations [ more ]

Kotaku

World Of Warcraft's Latest Mode Throws Out All The MMO's Rules

Blizzard introduces Plunderstorm battle royale mode with limited-time access

Plunderstorm changes gameplay with a focus on secrecy and simplified mechanics [ more ]

Polygon

World of Warcraft rides the current pirate trend into a new battle royale

Blizzard introducing Plunderstorm, a six-week battle royale in World of Warcraft, inspired by Warcraft 3.

Plunderstorm offers a mix of PvP and PvE challenges, with players leveling up to gain new abilities and unique rewards. [ more ]

Kotaku

Overwatch 2 Needs To Leave Quick Play Alone

Blizzard is testing the removal of hero limits in Overwatch, which could have a significant impact on gameplay dynamics.

In the upcoming mid-season patch, Blizzard plans to adjust damage hero passive from 20% to 15% healing reduction to balance gameplay. [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

Blizzard keeps I-80, Tahoe shut as snow piles up - 'If you're a local, it's not a big deal'

Interstate 80 and Lake Tahoe hit hard by ongoing blizzard

Caltrans facing challenges with snow removal during severe conditions [ more ]

Axios

In photos: Sierra Nevada hit with ferocious blizzard

Hurricane-force winds hit Sierra, closing Interstate 80 for over 24 hours.

Wind gusts reported up to 190 mph at Palisades Tahoe ski resort. [ more ]

english.elpais.com

Weakening wind but more snow after massive blizzard in the Sierra Nevada

Powerful blizzard in Sierra Nevada mountains expected to bring heavy snow and rain.

Ski resorts reopening after major snowstorm but facing delayed start times and limited operations. [ more ]

www.theguardian.com

As bad as it gets': powerful blizzard hits California, closing roads and ski resorts

More than 10ft of snow expected in Sierra Nevada mountains

High avalanche danger in backcountry areas near Lake Tahoe [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

California blizzard shuts down I-80, Hwy. 50 over Sierra - Tahoe hunkers down amid feet of snow

Blizzard causes chaos on California highway

Interstate 80 closed due to severe winter storm [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

Powerful storm in California and Nevada shuts interstate and dumps snow on mountains

Up to 10 feet of snow expected in Sierra Nevada

High avalanche danger in central Sierra [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

Yosemite closes due to monster blizzard, 'life threatening" conditions in California mountains

Yosemite National Park closes due to epic blizzard in Sierra Nevada

Blizzard warning issued with extreme snowfall expected in Sierra Nevada [ more ]

Los Angeles Times

Los Angeles

Monster blizzard takes aim at Tahoe, Mammoth: 'Serious life-threatening' snow, wind forecast

Up to 12 feet of snow expected in Sierra Nevada

Extremely dangerous travel conditions forecasted [ more ]

Sacramento Bee

What exactly is a blizzard? How is this California snow storm different from the last?

A blizzard warning has been issued for Lake Tahoe area with snow accumulation of up to 8 feet at higher elevations.

Blizzards are defined by strong winds and reduced visibility due to powdery snow, not necessarily heavy snowfalls or severe cold. [ more ]

VG247

Heroes rise again: Diablo, Warcraft, and Warcraft 2 arrive on Battle.net

Blizzard has made three classic games available on Battle.net: Diablo, Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, and Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness.

Diablo, released in 1997, features 16 levels of dungeon delving and allows multiplayer with up to three other players.

Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, released in 1994, is a real-time strategy game with 21 bonus maps and two-player versus mode. [ more ]

GameSpot

Blizzard Releases Warcraft: Orcs And Humans, Warcraft 2, And Diablo On Battle.net

Blizzard is rereleasing classic 90's games Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, and Diablo through Battle.net.

The rerelease of Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness includes its expansion and full original manual, while Diablo's re-release includes the original manual as well. [ more ]

GameSpot