Blizzard Archives

AppWizard

September 21, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for Sept. 19: Steam TGS sales

Major third-party publishers are offering discounts on their game libraries in anticipation of the Tokyo Game Show, including titles from Capcom, Square Enix, and Devolver Digital. Discounts are available on franchises like Assassin's Creed Shadows and the Dragon Ball series. LEGO Voyagers is launching with a significant discount on Gamebillet, while Fanatical has offers on Cronos: The New Dawn and Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater. Humble Bundle has a new bundle featuring games from Remedy Entertainment, and Ubisoft's Autumn Sale is ongoing. Xbox Game Pass users have additional discounts on select titles. Green Man Gaming offers a 15% discount on PC games with the coupon code SEP15. Humble Choice subscribers can access various games for .99 per month, including WWE 2K25 and Destiny 2: Legacy Collection. Ubisoft's Autumn Sale allows savings on purchases of .99 or more with the coupon code AUTUMN.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

Diablo 4’s new season fixes two of its biggest problems, but Blizzard is dodging the finer details

New patch notes for Season 10 of Diablo 4 have been released, introducing chaos armor and new perks, while addressing boss immunity phases. The update includes the removal of boss immunity, replacing it with a shield mechanic for endgame lair bosses. Players can now find a non-helmet variant of the Crown of Lucion, and additional items for each class have been added based on player feedback from the public test realm. Nightmare dungeon sigils will indicate their validity for active Whispers, and rewards from Chaos Rifts will be improved. Infernal Hordes have been revamped, with Soul Spires receiving bonuses and chaos waves spawning less frequently but yielding greater rewards. Class-specific chaos perks have been adjusted, with buffs for Rogues and slight nerfs for Druids. Season 10 is set to launch on September 23.

AppWizard

September 17, 2025

Windows Xbox app update now pulls in your Steam and other PC games

Microsoft and Asus will launch the Asus ROG Xbox Ally handheld next month, featuring full Windows 11. Microsoft is also updating its Xbox app to create a unified interface that consolidates games from various platforms, including the Microsoft Store, Xbox Game Pass, Steam, Activision-Blizzard’s Battle.net, and GOG. The updated app will automatically populate the “My Library” section with installed games, including Fortnite from the Epic Games Store. The update includes a touch-friendly launcher for third-party applications and an upcoming feature to display cloud gaming history across Windows devices, along with a “Jump back in” feature for resuming gaming sessions.

AppWizard

September 14, 2025

The Xbox layoffs were an “emotional time,” says ESO boss, but it has to keep going and make a “30-year MMO”

On July 2, 2025, Xbox laid off over 9,000 employees, impacting teams from studios like Activision Blizzard, Bethesda, and Zenimax Online Studios. The layoffs led to the cancellation of Zenimax's MMO, Project Blackbird, and Rare's action-adventure title, Everwild. Rich Lambert, Zenimax's studio game director, discussed the emotional toll of the layoffs and emphasized the studio's commitment to the Elder Scrolls Online (ESO) and its community. Lambert transitioned to a strategic role, passing the game director position to Nick Giacomini. Despite challenges, ESO continues to evolve with new features and aims to compete with other major titles, while the release of Elder Scrolls 6 is anticipated.

AppWizard

September 9, 2025

Overwatch GM Kong steps up to new head of development, live games/mobile role

Walter Kong has been promoted to senior vice president and head of development for live games and mobile platforms at Blizzard Entertainment. He joined Blizzard in 2011 as senior director for strategic initiatives, left for Epic Games in 2018, and returned in 2020 as an executive producer before becoming general manager for Overwatch. In his new role, he will oversee the strategic direction of Overwatch and other titles like Hearthstone and Diablo Immortal, although Blizzard has stopped developing new content for Warcraft Rumble and reduced staff in that area. Kong expressed gratitude for his opportunities at Blizzard and is committed to fostering a collaborative and growth-oriented environment.

AppWizard

September 8, 2025

Wizards of the Coast boss would love to make new D&D MMO

John Hight, president of Wizards of the Coast, expressed interest in developing a new massively multiplayer online (MMO) game set in the Dungeons and Dragons universe. He emphasized the need for innovation in the MMO genre, moving beyond traditional models. Hight proposed a phased approach to development, focusing on assembling talent, backend technology, and planning. He acknowledged that advancements in technology could facilitate the realization of this project, making previously difficult tasks easier.

AppWizard

September 5, 2025

Weekend PC Download Deals for Sept. 5: Epic Games Store End of Summer Sale

The Epic Games Store is holding an End of Summer Sale with discounts on titles like Assassin's Creed Shadows, Sid Meier's Civilization 7, and Marvel's Spider-Man 2. Steam is offering deals on Baldur's Gate 3, Blue Prince, and Kingdom Come: Deliverance 2, along with early access titles like Schedule I and R.E.P.O. Fanatical has a launch discount for Cronos: The New Dawn, while Green Man Gaming has early price drops on Metal Gear Solid Delta: Snake Eater and offers a 15% discount on any PC game with the coupon code SEP15. Humble Bundle features a subscription option for .99 per month, with titles like WWE 2K25 and Destiny 2: Legacy Collection (2025) available this September. Ubisoft is providing discounts on its popular titles, and Gamebillet, GamesPlanet, and GOG.com are also participating in seasonal sales with competitive pricing and unique offerings. Xbox Game Pass users can access exclusive discounts on select titles.

AppWizard

September 4, 2025

Microsoft Scored With Minecraft Movie: Is Call Of Duty The Next Box Office Hit?

Microsoft Corp has partnered with Paramount Skydance to develop a live-action film based on the Call of Duty franchise, following its acquisition of Activision Blizzard for .7 billion. Paramount will handle production and distribution of the film. Call of Duty, which has sold over 500 million units since its launch in 2003, presents a wealth of material for adaptation. David Ellison, CEO of Paramount, expressed his excitement about the project. The partnership could lead to a broader Call of Duty universe, including multiple films and television series. Recent successes in video game adaptations include "A Minecraft Movie," which grossed .9 million domestically and .7 million globally. Microsoft acquired Mojang Studios, the parent company of Minecraft, for .5 billion in 2014. Activision Blizzard previously had success with the film "Warcraft," which grossed 9 million globally.

AppWizard

September 1, 2025

Over 450 Blizzard staff vote to unionise

Over 450 employees dedicated to the Diablo franchise at Blizzard have voted to unionize, forming a bargaining unit that includes developers, artists, engineers, and support staff. The union was announced by the Communications Workers of America (CWA).

AppWizard

August 30, 2025

One of the best RPGs of all time is getting its ‘first ever unofficial DLC’ that adds a whole new region and restores cut content

Planescape: Torment is a classic computer role-playing game (CRPG) known for its unique setting, characters, and dialogue-focused gameplay. A group of Polish modders is developing an expansion for the game that will introduce two new recruitable characters, new planar creatures, original music, and fresh cinematics. They will also restore cut content, including voice lines and graphical features. The narrative will focus on the main characters and draw from the 2nd edition of Dungeons & Dragons. The full project may not be completed until 2031, but the first act is expected to be released later this year with an estimated playtime of twelve hours. The expansion, titled Blizzard in Baator, will be available in English and Polish, with some variations in naming conventions from the original English version.