Blizzard’s first new game universe since Overwatch teased
A fresh start?
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For the first time in six years, Blizzard have announced that they are working on a new game franchise. Concrete information is scarce this early, but the known details are available right here.
Fully formed, or just the beginning?
Firstly, it isn’t as though Blizzard has a new game ready to drop right this instant. In fact, it is very likely that development is only just beginning. The recent storm of misconduct and staff departures has led to a void to be filled at Blizzard. It appears this property is a way to entice developers to work for the company.
“Create a new universe with us” reads the job posting on the Blizzard website. “Blizzard is embarking on our next quest. We are going on a journey to a whole new universe, home to a brand-new survival game for PC and console. A place full of heroes we have yet to meet, stories yet to be told, and adventures yet to be lived. A vast realm of possibility, waiting to be explored.”
From what little can be gleaned, this is Blizzard moving in a whole new direction. A survival game is a significant departure from what the company has offered before. But maybe this is the perfect time for the company to start afresh with something new. An image in the job posting displays a robed and hunter eying a mysterious doorway. Could this be Blizzard moving back into the fantasy genre. At a time when World of Warcraft’s fortunes are beginning to falter, this could be just the boost the company needs.
Blizzard starting over?
So, is all this a cynical ploy designed to distract from still-existing troubles at the company? A cunning announcement deployed while the Microsoft acquisition is still fresh in everyone’s minds? It stands to reason that Blizzard would want to build on the momentum afforded by that news. If a ‘Blizzard is going to redeem itself’ narrative is going to take shape, starting afresh with a brand-new franchise is a good way to kick that off.
Beloved Blizzard franchises like Overwatch, Diablo and World of Warcraft have had their reputations marred by the disgrace of pivotal staff members. It can be hard for fans to reconcile the games they love with the actions of the people that had a hand in making them. What better time than now to make something brand new, and give new and overlooked workers a chance at making it?
