The year 2023 marks a significant milestone for the Warcraft universe as it celebrates its 30th anniversary. Whether you’re an ardent fan of Hearthstone, have embraced the chaos in Warcraft Rumble, explored the world of Azeroth for the first time in Warcraft: Orcs and Humans, or are a long-time player of World of Warcraft, there’s something special for everyone in the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct stream. Join us as we dive into a pool of nostalgia and look forward to the future of everything Warcraft.
Explore New Rewards During the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct
The Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct is available to watch on platforms like Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok. By tuning in, viewers can earn exciting in-game rewards for Hearthstone, Warcraft Rumble, and World of Warcraft. You can watch on the official YouTube channels of World of Warcraft, Warcraft Rumble, and Hearthstone, or any related stream on Twitch or TikTok to gain rewards during the giveaway period from November 13 at 10:00 am PST to December 11 at 10:00 am PST. For more details, check out the previously published article.
Highlights from the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct
We’ve gathered all the essential updates from the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct for you to explore. Jump to each section to learn more about Warcraft RTS, Hearthstone, Warcraft Rumble, World of Warcraft, WoW Classic, and World of Warcraft: The War Within.
Rediscover 30 Years of the Warcraft RTS
It’s been three decades since Warcraft: Orcs and Humans was first introduced, paving the way for countless stories and adventures. To continue these legendary journeys, Patch 2.0 for Warcraft III: Reforged is now available. This update brings significant enhancements to environments, lighting, and the user interface. It also includes high-definition upgrades for classic Warcraft III assets, allowing players to mix and match their graphical experience as they please. Additionally, new quality-of-life improvements such as in-game hotkey customization and an updated ladder system have been introduced.
Beyond the update for Warcraft III: Reforged, we’re excited to announce the release of fully remastered versions of Warcraft I and II. These remasters allow players to switch between the original graphics and the updated versions in real-time. Modern controls such as right-click move, band box select, and faster game speeds have been added to Warcraft I. Both versions also feature UI and UX improvements, including tooltips, health bars, a mission select screen, and increased unit selection. Warcraft II will maintain multiplayer functionality, and all legacy custom maps will be fully compatible.
To relive these adventures or experience them for the first time, visit the shop for Warcraft I: Remastered, Warcraft II: Remastered, and Warcraft III: Reforged.
Introducing the Warcraft Battle Chest
The Warcraft Battle Chest is back, offering players the option to purchase all three games in a single bundle. For those who have previously purchased Warcraft: Orcs & Humans, Warcraft II Battle.net edition, or Warcraft III: Reforged from the Battle.net shop, the bundle will be available at a discounted rate. Add the Battle Chest to your Collection Now.
Hearthstone Developments
Hearthstone: Heroes of StarCraft – The Great Dark Beyond Mini-Set
Early next year, Hearthstone is set to expand beyond the Warcraft universe into Heroes of StarCraft. This special Mini-Set will introduce 49 new cards across three themed factions, offering a glimpse of the StarCraft universe within the Hearthstone realm. Each faction will include cards usable across multiple classes, featuring an iconic Hero card.
- Zerg: Death Knight, Demon Hunter, Hunter, and Warlock join forces with the Zerg, led by Sarah Kerrigan, offering aggressive cards to swarm the board and secure victory.
- Protoss: Druid, Mage, Priest, and Rogue represent the Protoss Empire, led by High Templar Artanis, with powerful, high-cost cards that become cheaper as the game progresses.
- Terran: Paladin, Shaman, and Warrior form the Terran forces under the leadership of Jim Raynor, commanding Battlecruisers—a unique take on the Starship mechanic from The Great Dark Beyond.
The Mini-Set will also feature nostalgic StarCraft units, including the Terran-armored Murloc, Grunty, and new thematic music. The Heroes of StarCraft Mini-Set is scheduled for launch in January 2025, with additional announcements, details, and card reveals closer to launch.
Major Arena Updates
For the first time in a decade, Arena Mode is undergoing a major overhaul. Players will have the option to choose between two types of Arena: Normal Arena, which offers shorter runs for quicker completion, and Competitive Arena, known as Underground Arena, with longer runs and a new Re-Draft on Loss feature. This feature allows players to re-draft cards, edit their deck, and continue their run after a loss.
Both Arena types will feature ratings, with skill-based matchmaking for Normal Arena, while Underground Arena offers matches against opponents of varying skill levels. This major update is expected in the first half of next year, with more details to be revealed closer to its release.
A Preview of the Year Ahead: The Year of the Raptor!
Hearthstone has an exciting year ahead with new expansions featuring much-requested themes, locations, and familiar faces from Azeroth. The first expansion will take players to the Emerald Dream, where they will join the battle between the Old Gods and the Druids of the Emerald Dream for the fate of the World Tree. The Druids of the Flame will light up the Mini-Set, releasing earlier than usual during the 32.2 Patch.
The second expansion will mark Hearthstone’s first-ever sequel, returning to Un’Goro Crater. Players will join Elise on a hunt for a mythical, lost Tortollan city and participate in a festival celebrating the mighty dinosaurs of the crater in the 33.4 Mini-Set.
The third expansion will take players on a journey with Chromie through alternate realities to recruit Legendary Warcraft heroes like never before, leading to an epic showdown against Murozond at the end of time in the 34.4 Mini-Set.
Warcraft Rumble Celebrations
Celebrate One-Year of Warcraft Rumble
Warcraft Rumble has been live for one year, and to celebrate, players can log in to enjoy the one-year anniversary celebrations in-game. Daily rewards, including new avatars and cosmetics, are available for collection.
Introducing Split Leaders
The rich and diverse characters of the Warcraft universe do not always fit neatly into one family, leading to the introduction of split Leaders. In Season 10, Sylvanas Windrunner is reintroduced as the first playable split Leader, representing her allegiance to both the Horde and Undead families. Future additions will include Malfurion Stormrage as Alliance and Cenarion, Orgrim Doomhammer as Horde and Blackrock, and Anub’arak as Undead and Beast.
Get Ready to Rumble from Your PC
Warcraft Rumble is making its way to PC with a beta launch on December 10, 2024. Stay tuned for more information as the launch date approaches.
World of Warcraft: Celebrating 20 Years
World of Warcraft is commemorating two decades of adventure in Azeroth, bringing together players from around the globe. Inspired by the story captured in the "The Remarkable Life of Ibelin" documentary, which is now available on Netflix, players can support CureDuchenne by adding the Reven Pack to their collection.
In modern World of Warcraft, players can participate in the 20th Anniversary Celebration, collecting updated Tier 2 armor appearance sets, engaging in Classic Timewalking, battling iconic world bosses, visiting the Trading Post, and earning new rewards. The War Within continues with the first chapter of the Worldsoul Saga, and adventures persist in WoW Classic.
World of Warcraft Classic Adventures
Season of Discovery
In the current Season of Discovery, players are exploring new adventures with class abilities, new level-up raids, uncovering secrets, and teaming up to defeat formidable foes like Ragnaros and Nefarian. Soon, players can join the War Effort to open the gates to Ahn’Qiraj, where they will encounter new challenges and rewards.
After Ahn’Qiraj, players can anticipate facing the dangers of Naxxramas, along with new instanced content featuring the Scarlet Crusade and adventures in Deadwind Pass.
Cataclysm Classic
In Cataclysm Classic, Ragnaros has returned in the Firelands, and players are working to add the Dragonwrath Staff to their collection. The final phase will introduce the Hour of Twilight patch and Dragon Soul raid dungeon early next year.
Revisit the Mists of Pandaria
Mists of Pandaria Classic is set to arrive in the summer of 2025, allowing players to revisit Pandaria’s shores with its legendary class design, incredible raids and dungeons, stunning environments, and unforgettable soundtrack.
WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Edition
Relive the World of Warcraft Classic experience with fresh realms in the WoW Classic 20th Anniversary Edition, launching on November 21. Players can embark on a new journey to level 60, with the first raid dungeon, Molten Core, opening shortly after launch. Choose between PvP, Normal PvE, or Hardcore realms, progressing through content with fresh economies on large realms.
These realms will feature quality-of-life improvements from the WoW Classic cycle, such as the Chronoboon Displacer and the enhanced PvP Honor Ranking system. The PvP and Normal PvE realms will progress into Burning Crusade Classic.
World of Warcraft: The War Within
The first chapter of the Worldsoul Saga began in August with the launch of The War Within, introducing new experiences with a raid, dungeons, PvP, new appearances, rewards, pets, mounts, and more.
Siren Isle
Available now on the Public Test Realms (PTR), the Siren Isle update will launch next month, offering new content for players to explore. This update includes the epilogue questline for Dalaran and the Kirin Tor, featuring the mysterious haranir. The Siren Isle introduces a new outdoor environment, filled with mysteries and rewards to help players prepare for the next War Within season.
Plunderstorm Returns
Plunderstorm is back with a new Plunderstore, providing more flexibility for earning rewards. Quality-of-life changes to spell interactions and the UI are also included. The Siren Isle update also brings Turbulent Timeways and updates to the Feast of Winter Veil in-game holiday event.
New The War Within Novella: Heartlands
A new novella exploring the story behind the scenes is now available. Discover what happened with Jaina and Thrall after the Fall of Dalaran in this five-chapter special, available here.
Up Next—Undermined!
The next major content update, Undermine, takes players to a long-known but unexplored location—the goblin city of Undermine. As adventurers delve into the goblin capital, they will learn more about goblin culture, society, and the challenges faced by the goblin cartels: Steamwheedle, Blackwater, Bilgewater, and the Venture Company.
Players will earn a customizable vehicle, designed for use in Undermine, to navigate the city’s roads and causeways. Adjust the car’s driving characteristics to suit your style, whether you prefer speed, grip, or acceleration.
New Dungeon: Operation: Floodgate
The new dungeon, Operation: Floodgate, is part of the narrative of Undermine, where players race to prevent a group of goblins from causing catastrophic damage to the Ringing Deeps. It will be available as part of The War Within Season 2 dungeon pool, alongside four other launch dungeons and three legacy dungeons.
New Raid: Liberation of Undermine
Experience a new 8-boss raid dungeon through the city streets and into the magnificent Gallagio. Goblin politics are treacherous, with Xal’atath playing a significant role. More adventures await in 2025, with roadmaps to guide players through World of Warcraft and WoW Classic.
Thank you for being a part of Azeroth’s journey over the past two decades. As we look to the future, your next adventure begins at home in World of Warcraft: Midnight. Stay tuned for more updates and continue the journey with us.
Lok’tar ogar! We’ll see you at the Inn, in Azeroth, and wherever the road takes us next.
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