In early February, eagle-eyed gamers and industry insiders got excited when Activision Blizzard referenced interest in making “all-new” Warcraft content for mobile devices in the video game holding company’s fourth-quarter financial report. Rest assured, we won’t burst anyone’s bubble, since Blizzard has now confirmed the company is creating a Warcraft mobile game. It’s also working on expansions for Hearthstone, the free-to-play online digital collectible card game.
“For nearly 28 years, the Warcraft universe has ignited imaginations across the globe through rich storytelling and expansive worlds. It has built the very foundation for World of Warcraft and Hearthstone, providing entertainment, community, and competition for millions globally,” says a Blizzard Entertainment spokesperson. “This year, we have a lot of exciting news in store for the heroes of Azeroth and the patrons of the Hearthstone Tavern.”
This will be the first game from Blizzard that’s set in the World of Warcraft universe and specifically designed from the get-go for mobile. According to a spokesperson for Activision Blizzard, “Beyond World of Warcraft and Hearthstone, we’re preparing to get the first game in the Warcraft universe designed for mobile into your hands.” The company promised to reveal more information in the spring of 2022.
“On April 19, the World of Warcraft development team will reveal the next expansion,” says John Hight, the Warcraft general manager. “We are excited to show you what we have been working on and where your adventures in Azeroth will go next.”
What To Expect From the Hearthstone Expansions
While Activision CEO is mostly keeping quiet about the future of Hearthstone, a company spokesperson did say, “On March 15, the Hearthstone development team will share details about our three expansions this year. Shortly after, they will provide a deeper look into plans for Hearthstone for 2022 — including the annual core set changes.”
For those who are not in the know, Hearthstone was an experimental game originally subtitled Heroes of Warcraft when it was released in 2014 for Windows and macOS. It builds upon the already established lore of the Warcraft series and features the same characters, relics, and elements. However, Hearthstone is unique because it’s played as a turn-based digital card game between two opponents. Players utilize four different kinds of cards — minions, spells, heroes, and weapons — to decrease their combatants’ health.
Players can buy new packs of cards through gold or microtransactions to improve their decks and odds of winning battles. Players also receive special cards as a reward upon completion of adventures. It’s been an extremely popular extension of Activision Blizzard’s World of Warcraft franchise. In 2018, Blizzard reported Hearthstone had reached 100 million players. In 2021 the developer debuted an annually rotating “core” set of cards that can be used in either the standard mode or the wild mode.
Until the expansions are available, notes the Blizzard spokesperson, “You’ll want to cozy up by the fireside for the first season of Hearthstone Grandmasters, now in progress. Exclusively on YouTube, you can earn Fractured in Alterac Valley drops while watching the top players in the world compete for their shot at the playoffs, a share of the $250,000 prize pool, and regional invites to the 2022 World Championship.”
The Buzz Is Building for Activision Blizzard
The fact that Activision Blizzard is keeping light on the details is leading gaming insiders to speculate about what type of Warcraft they’re going to get for mobile devices. It could be something akin to a Pokémon Go interactive experience or more like a classic World of Warcraft strategy game. Only time will tell, though Hight promises, “The future of Warcraft is bright.”
