By Anni Simpson on November 4, 2016 at 12:53pm
"Overwatch"
During a short, Blizzard officially introduced "Overwatch" players to the newest hero, a pink-haired hacker named Sombra. Devious with shifting loyalties, she is a "stealthy offensive infiltrator" who:
- MACHINE PISTOL: Sombra’s fully-automatic machine pistol fires in a short-range spread.
- HACK: Sombra hacks enemies to temporarily stop them from using their abilities, or hacks first aid kits to make them useless to her opponents.
- THERMOPTIC CAMO: Sombra becomes invisible for a short period of time, during which her speed is boosted considerably. Attacking, using offensive abilities, or taking damage disables her camouflage.
- TRANSLOCATOR: Sombra tosses out a translocator beacon. She can instantly return to the beacon’s location while it is active (including when it’s in mid-flight).
- EMP: Sombra discharges electromagnetic energy in a wide radius, destroying enemy barriers and shields and hacking all opponents caught in the blast.
express.co.uk
Mike Morheim, CEO of Blizzard Entertainment, also introduced two new game modes - 1 v. 1 and 3 v. 3 arena, as well as two new maps: Eco Point Antarctica and Oasis. The new game modes, as well as Eco Point, were made available for BlizzCon attendees. Oasis will hit the PTR in December.
Blizzard announced the new "Overwatch" League wherein players "attend try outs and be evaluated .. by a series of tests," according to Morheim. Pro-players compete for real salaries and the fame that comes with being an e-sports star.
"Starcraft II"
"Starcraft" will see anew co-op commander - Commander Stucof - and a new map.
The Deep Mind team was brought on to collaborate with Blizzard and the "Starcraft II" team . They will release their APIs next year so that AI can learn to play "Starcraft II" to improve the landscape of gaming AI. "Starcraft II" is a steep shift from the last success Deep Mind has seen with teaching AI to take on and win against the "Go" champion of the world.
"Heroes of the Storm"
Kaeo Milker, senior producer for "Heroes of the Storm," introduced a new brawl event - "Blackheart's Revenge" - which introduces different win conditions for each team, as well as an asymmetrical map. It debuts for players at home for the week of Nov. 15.
"Heroes" is also introducing its newest character, a "warrior who recently made the ultimate sacrifice" - Varian Wrynn. He is a "multi-class hero."
"Heroes" will also meet Ragnaros the firelord from the "Warcraft" raid Molten Core.
To further promote the game, the Nexus Challenge will unlock rewards in both "Overwatch" and "Heroes of the Storm" including portraits, skins, and mounts. Complete 15 and 30 games between Nov. 15 to Jan. 4 to unlock all the rewards.
"Hearthstone"
Hamilton Chu, executive producer for "Hearthstone" took the stage to announce the next expansion, "Mean Streets of Gadgetzan," based off the goblin town in Tanaris in the "Warcraft" universe. "Gadgetzan" invokes a prohibition type of theme with three crime families: the Grimy Goons (tuskarr), Jade Lotus (who else but the pandaren?), and the kabal (undead?).
"Gadgetzan" also introduces a "try class card," which can be played by one of three specified classes. It works similarly to multi-mana cards in "Magic: The Gathering." Finally, Chu explained the mechanics behind Kazakus, the kabal legendary which allows you to customize your own spell based on a handful of different options.
"Gadgetzan" will appear in early December.
"Diablo III"
Frank Pierce, chief development officer for Blizzard, helped players celebrate the 20th anniversary for "Diablo III." To celebrate the anniversary, developers are re-creating the original "Diablo" in "Diablo III." The anniversary patch launches on the PTR next week.
You'll explore a monster dungeon 16 levels deep with the four main bosses from the first game including Red Autumn. Frank Pierce
Two more zones are being added, as well, for the adventure game mode, as well as the necromancer class, a class players have been clamoring for on the forums. Necromancers raise the dead and send forth minions. It will be available by purchase in a character pack early next year. It is not free.
