If you think we’re having trouble in the real world, just take a look at the tides of evil, risk-filled adventures and villainous menaces highlighted in the latest news from Blizzard Entertainment’s video games.
The Irvine-based video game developer and publisher is marking two key anniversaries this month.
One is the second anniversary of the famed “Diablo IV” fantasy role-playing video game, with a highlight of celebrations running through June 17.
The spine-tingling highlights:
“This marks the second year since you rose against the unflinching tides of evil to thwart Lilith’s blessed legions. ‘Hell is coming,’ went the refrain, yet the dawn still breaks on the horizon… Could it be the Light? Or the final fire at last?”
Dancing in the Flames
Blizzard ratcheted up the drama even further:
“May you dance in the flames of celebration.”
Diablo IV delivers plenty of combat, gruesome demons and monsters and an epic hunt for loot.
The game helped Blizzard Entertainment top $1 billion in quarterly sales in 2023 for the first time ever.
Blizzzard, now owned by Microsoft Corp., is also marking 10 years of “Heroes of the Storm” this month, featuring various crossover characters from Blizzard’s franchises and the Nexus, a sort of limbo of clashing universes.
“Ten years ago, the Nexus opened a realm between realms…where anything is possible. Over the years, you have braved this tumultuous universe, commanding some of the most legendary Heroes from across Azeroth, Sanctuary, the Koprulu sector, and future Earth,” Blizzard says.
Not bad for a game where major development reportedly stopped in 2022 but is still being updated.
Dastardly Duos Clash
Blizzard Entertainment this month also introduced a Dastardly Duos Creator Clash, a special showcase pitting the most headstrong heroes from the fictional planet Azeroth against one another in a cage-match showdown.
“Dash into the Demolition Dome for Dastardly Duos to battle solo or rally your allies for mega-mayhem against villainous menaces from Azeroth’s past. Thrilling battles and exclusive rewards await!” Blizzard says.
Blizzard Entertainment is the largest software company based in Orange County, with an estimated 1,500 local employees as of last year.
Parent company Activision Blizzard was sold to Microsoft in 2023 for $75.4 billion, the largest-ever acquisition in the video gaming market. Microsoft reported its gaming division revenue in 2024 climbed 39% to $21.5 billion because of the acquisition.
Microsoft quickly set off a round of layoffs at Blizzard, where morale was already strained due to allegations of discrimination and harassment.
