Blizzard to release six 'proven' properties over next three years

by Jessica Conditt on Sep 10th 2011 7:30PM

Blizzard will release six "proven property" titles over the coming three years, Activision Blizzard COO Thomas Tippl said at the Citi 2011 Technology Conference. Tippl named five of these six expected releases: Two World of Warcraft expansion packs, two StarCraft 2 titles and Diablo 3. Tippl also pinned a Diablo 3 expansion as the possible sixth title. Blizzard said it is immediately focused on updates for Cataclysm, releasing Diablo 3 and finishing StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm.

It would satisfy our OCD if these six games would release two-a-year at six-month intervals for three years, and it would satisfy our ADHD if all six titles dropped on the same day, but Tippl didn't provide any more specific dates. Titan, the mysterious next-gen MMO from Blizzard, wasn't mentioned, but it's not a "proven" property and could still launch in its rumored timeframe of late 2013.

Via: Shacknews

Tags: Activision, Activision-Blizzard, Blizzard, diablo-3, pc, starcraft-2, starcraft-2-heart-of-the-swarm, titan, World-of-Warcraft

Reader Comments (65)

Diablo 3
Starcraft 2 expansion
WoW expansion
Titan MMO
Diablo 3 expansion
Warcraft 4 (hopefully)

@Shredator

Sounds like everyone should be buying Blizzard stock right?

@Morisato13 *Activision Blizzard stock

@Shredator

No. WoW expansion 5 will be revealed at blizzcon and released no later than March 2012. They are racing to get over the Cataclysm nightmare.

Diablo3 - 11/15/2011
WoW expansion 4 - Q1 2012
SC2 expansion 1
Diablo3 expansion
WoW expansion 5
SC expansion 2
Diablo 3 expansion 3 or Titan

@Shredator
Warcraft 4 isn't gonna happen for a long time.

The StarCraft and Warcraft teams are mostly the same. After Warcraft III: The Frozen Throne was done, they started work on StarCraft 2. After the StarCraft 2 expansions are done, they'll start work or ramp up work on Warcraft IV.

@badkins1102 It would be a good strategy move on Blizzard to release there next expansion Spring 2012, the release window of a lot of upcoming MMO's.

@badkins1102

Blizzard does not release games without announcing them 3 years prior to release making titan in 3 years unlikely unless there is an official announcement at blizzard unlikely. So that last one is more likely to be a 2nd Diablo expansion.

@Shredator

Who cares about all this! I want my Rock n' Roll Racing 2 goddamnit!!!! :D

@stiqlol

One, fresh and new for every player.....that's subjective, not factual.

Two, yes nightmare. Maybe you haven't noticed, but the WoW population is for the first time decreasing rapidly instead of increasing. Loss a million subscribers in half a year since Cataclysm, an expansion generally felt to be dis satisfactory? Yes, I think Blizzard might call that a nightmare.

@stiqlol

You're really not getting this are you? It HAS BEEN and IS a nightmare for Blizzard. Lower sales, losing subscribers, constant delays....Cataclysm is the first time they're feeling any blowback from WoW.

@Pr1mus

YES! That is exactly why i came to comment here. Rock and roll racing was such a great SNES game.

@(Unverified) lolwhat? Cataclysm is a great success for Blizzard if anything. What delays? What losses? Many people came back to wow just to experience the changed content and nobody is complaining about it, save for the trolls who do nothing but complaining since vanilla.

For some people it seems that every expansion is a nightmare...

It'll be 3 WoW expansions I'm betting. Those are the biggest money-makers for them at the moment, and they said it themselves that they want to release more faster to try and "fight loser loss". They are at lvl 85 right now, that leaves 3 expansions before they hit a lvl 99/100 cap.
1 expansion to finish off the elemental planes.
1 expansion to deal with the old gods
and 1 expansion to deal with sargeras.

anyone remotely knows Blizzard could have guessed that list

I am tired of WoW expansions. I stopped playing pretty much after I got to 85 on one character. Make a WoW 2.0!

@aray48

Make the same game, but with a number after the title! That'll be totally different!

Seriously, what the hell would you expect/want from a WoW 2? The story IS progressing, why bring in a second title?

"Just wait, OP will surely deliver."

@(Unverified) Improved graphics, maybe actual good looking cutscenes, much more areas to explore rather than having one expansion coming every couple of years, more classes and races. There are many things that can be put in a WoW 2.0 that would be too much for an expansion.

@aray48

"too much for an expansion"

> Improved graphics,

Cataclysm, been there done that, and improvements can/will be further patched in.....just like Cataclysm

>maybe actual good looking cutscenes,

Not seeing why a separate title would be needed.

>much more areas to explore rather than having one expansion

So you want more areas to explore....but you demand it be called a sequel instead of an expansion? The word "expansion" and "more areas to explore" are synonymous, and if there were a sequel it would be necessity include the land already IN the world of Warcraft. Again, what? Why is a separate title needed?

>more classes and races.

So.....like what has happened in every expansion? But again it needs to be called "2" instead of an expansion because....?

>There are many things that can be put in a WoW 2.0 that would be too >much for an expansion.

No, there isn't, all you've done is describe an expansion pack. As radically different at the game is now from 6 years ago, you can't really argue that it's "the same game" still either, it looks and runs very differently....like a "sequel".

Again, explain why it needs to be a sequel and what can't be done?

@(Unverified) I knew you would comment saying an expansion would do all those things. First of all, you can only improve graphics and cutscenes to an extent in WoW. Cataclysm added a bunch of new graphical features, but the game still looks extremely dated. No amount of water effects can fix that with a patch or expansion.

And I mean massive new areas. Areas as big as Azeroth itself in just one game, in addition to other areas they can add. Yeah, the game runs differently than it did when it released, but I think it's time for a newer game. Aesthetics is the main point of my argument, but I got tired of playing WoW because it looks like crap and there haven't been any huge additions to classes, aside from changes they add in patches. They have only added one new class since the game released and I would like something new. I am sorry for having an opinion and wanting a new game

@aray48

You've never played other MMOs prior to WoW, have you? Entire graphics overhauls can be done and have been done.

I hear the whine for new classes a lot....and yet no one can tell me what is missing. Describe something that isn't in game, why it is needed, and how to fit it in. Go play EQ2, there's something like 2 dozen classes and there's an awful lot of overlap.

As for size:Lich King was a pretty substantial addition to map space, but go look at "larger" MMOs and how much dead space they have. Quantity is not quality.

@(Unverified) I was never whining in the first place, I just want something new. And I highly doubt WoW ever will be updated to look incredible, it's just never going to happen. Stop hating me for making a half-serious comment asking for a WoW 2.0 with a few things I want/. God, little bitches like you have nothing better to do

@aray48
K.O.

Blizzard! I'm ready for Warcraft 4!

@Electrium

You're in luck! It was released in 2004, it's called World Of Warcraft and follows the events of Warcraft 3, even bringing back all the villains!

Titan or GTFO.

Warcraft 4 won't happen until the Starcraft Expansions run their course. It was the Warcraft 3 team that made Starcraft 2, and they won't be going back to WC until all of SC2 is done I'm guessing.

He said they 'plan on releasing six titles.' That is not the same thing as him stating that they 'WILL be releasing six titles.'

Given their release schedule, I'd pad the time frame with anywhere from 5 months to 2 years.

Geez Blizzard...with your schedule, is it any wonder you were absorbed into the Kotick Engine?

I want to see them put out a new IP.

@AkumaFTW

Have to agree.

@AkumaFTW

Titan (code name) is a new IP.

It will start with an "A" to complete the unification of blizzard games on PC (W,A,S,D). Book it.

@Mechazawa Prime
Book It like Pizza hut

Wait, Blizzard has six properties?

@gatotsu911

No, they have Diablo, Warcraft, and Starcraft. Expansions, expansions, expansions!

@gatotsu911

Warcraft
Starcraft
Diablo
Three Vikings
Rock N Roll Racing or whatever the hell
Blackthorne
Titan

Oooops! There's more than six right there. Technically.

@(Unverified)

*LOST Vikings

Meh, if this had been the old blizzard (prewow), I would have been jumping for joy. However, getting a taste of their direction after wow with starcraft 2, I am seriously underwhelmed. Starcraft 2 was definitely not a bad game, but it was not a great game either. They played it too safe by changing very little, the story was the most basic generic scifi story they could have come out with(oh, and splitting up the races to different games for no reason except for more money didn't help). Then you have the whole game tied to an account where you have to log in just to play a singleplayer game (which you cannot change your name from). Like I said, meh. That was a taste, however I was already getting pretty bad vibes from the diablo III screens/vids. When I watched it, I was seriously like. "is this diablo III or wow?" Anybody who complained about the visual style was shouted down by the blizzard fans or made fun of by blizzard itself. Sorry, after being disappointed with starcraft 2, think I will probably save or spend my money or better games. I am sure their will be a ton of people who will love the game and I am happy for them, but I will not be one of them.

@Ender7

"oh, and splitting up the races to different games for no reason except for more money didn't help"

You do realize its not about the splitting of races, but the size and scope of the story right? The original SC and Brood War had something like 30 missions each. Just SC2: Wings of Liberty alone has 27 mission. You're argument is as idiotic as it is futile. How much difference is there really. You take SC1 (30 missions) and Brood War (30 missions) what difference does it make if each individual game just does nearly 30 mission per race, its exactly the same except we're guaranteed 3 full games total instead of 1 game and 1 expansion. I really don't understand the hate its completely illogical. The amount of content is at least the same, at least its free to play online unlike Wow, and the storyline isn't half as bad as you say it is. I'm busted a nut over here waiting to see how the story continues in Heart of the Swarm and i love what they did in Wings of Liberty. Haters gonna hate.

@Foetoid riiiiight, example of blizzard rabid fanboy. Blizzard could have easily included all three races in the first game and still had three games made. It might have included some rewriting (GOD FORBID!), but considering how mediocre the story was, that probably would have been a good thing imo. They split the races up for profit and nothing else, if you are happy then goody for you, but don't waste time arguing that it was to make great games. I PLAYED the first game, it was decent, but not great and definitely not worth the wait.

@Ender7

I have to agree. I never got into WoW, I will eventually pick up Starcraft 2 probably, but I always hate having to create an account just to play a game. And Diablo 3's item auction completely killed it for me, instead I'll be picking up Torchlight 2.

I was a big fan of Blizzard back in the day too, but I never had any interest in WoW, and it seems like they are trying to WoWify all their series.

@Foetoid

The difference is it's more interesting to play 1 campaign with 3 different races than 1 campaign with 1 race.

Besides, the Brood War expansion came out for the cost of an expansion, which included a huge campaign and new units. If each game is "a full game" in Starcraft 2, that means $60 each.

I've hesitated to buy Starcraft 2 because I have this thought hanging in my head that each expansion will be the cost of a full game. If that ends up being the case, I'm just going to give up on Blizzard. If they cost what an expansion should, at $30-40, I might consider finally picking it up.

We just need someone to make a knock-off version of Starcraft just like Torchlight is to Diablo, and I can just stop paying any attention to Blizzard.

*crosses fingers* Rock n Roll Racing! Blackthorne! LOST VIKINGS! PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE! I would even settle for ports that run on new computers.

@SpiderPrime That would be awesome! =)

They realize they're talking about Blizzard right? They might release 2, maybe 3, but definitely not 6.

@ts8lemonade

Apparently you are just another ignorant fanboy that thinks Activision has no control over Blizzard. It's a sad situation to see Blizzard fall, but you are a fool if you didn't see it coming the moment the "merger" was announced.

@badkins1102
You do realize that before WoW was released Blizzard used to put out a game or two a year right? From that perspective WoW changed them more than the merger did, and if anything this is blizzard getting back into their regular schedule after years of being preoccupied with WoW, much like the majority of their fanbase.

By 6 do you mean you'll sell the other parts of your games you quite regularly leave out to resell later at full retail Blizzard?

@Anticrawl DANCE STUDIO?

Is there anything more proven than the Lost Vikings? Three lovable vikings having adventures throughout space and time.

>-- Titan I'm interested in and can't wait for new content regarding it.

>-- I would like to see a new IP come out of Blizzard, other then Titan.

)-- Diablo 3 to me has become less and less exciting, I like the PVP feature, but lack of more classes in the game, doesn't really make this too exciting for me and the AH is a perfect setup for BOTS and Farmers, this i'm very displeased about. Torchlight 2 and MMO look more exciting for Action/RPG gaming.

>-- I'm really excited about the next two expansions for SC2

>-- WOW was great at one time, but 5 years have past for me and I'm pretty much finished with the game, I've been burnt out from it just so many times.

>-- WOW wish list: Improve servers, multiple ways of playing a dungeon, tone down boss difficulty in Raids, Improve PVP....for reals this time,Alliance Vs Horde Server PVP, more questing content that is just as enjoyable like the starting area for the Goblins.

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StarCraft 2: Heart of the Swarm

Blizzard to release six 'proven' properties over next three years

Reader Comments (65)

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 7:36PM Shredator said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 7:58PM Morisato13 said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 8:50PM alzeer said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 9:22PM badkins1102 said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 9:24PM einhanderkiller said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 9:31PM stamps79 said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 10:55PM Mechazawa Prime said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 12:57AM Pr1mus said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 6:31PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 9:42PM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Sep 10th 2011 7:41PM aray48 said

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Posted: Sep 11th 2011 1:10PM aray48 said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 6:29PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 7:05PM aray48 said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 9:45PM (Unverified) said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 9:56PM aray48 said

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Posted: Sep 10th 2011 7:56PM Red Runner said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 8:01PM AkumaFTW said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 8:26PM Shadowbender said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 9:18PM Mechazawa Prime said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 10:09PM AkumaFTW said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 8:01PM gatotsu911 said

Posted: Sep 10th 2011 9:28PM badkins1102 said

Posted: Sep 11th 2011 2:35AM (Unverified) said

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Posted: Sep 10th 2011 8:04PM Ender7 said

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Posted: Sep 11th 2011 3:27PM DaDiddles said

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Posted: Sep 10th 2011 8:27PM SpiderPrime said

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