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Animated Short Welcomes Players Into Hearthstone

IRVINE, Calif.—August 23, 2017—Blizzard Entertainment today debuted Hearth and Home, a brand-new musical animated short that explores the story of Hearthstone®’s mystical Tavern—the setting for Blizzard’s smash-hit digital strategy card game. Hearth and Home is a whimsical introduction to the Tavern and its patrons and serves as the first in an upcoming series of animated shorts, as well as comics, that draw players into the game’s distinctively charming setting.  

The Tavern is a warm and welcoming place full of laughter, camaraderie, and good-natured competition, and home to a charming cast of characters assembled from every corner of Azeroth. This includes vibrant and (mostly) friendly folks such as Malto, the kindly old mage; and Sarge, the Tavern’s resident mouse. The personalities in this ethereal inn draw inspiration from the many types of Hearthstone players who enjoy Hearthstone in real life. Whether they’re seasoned pros or just getting into the game like the young protagonist Ava, there’s a place in the Tavern for everyone.

“With Hearth and Home, our new animated short, we aimed to capture the wonder and magic of Hearthstone—in the Tavern’s welcoming interior, in its colorful patrons, and of course in their catchy song,” said Lydia Bottegoni, senior vice president of Story & Franchise Development at Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re looking forward to sharing more tales from the Hearthstone Tavern featuring Ava and her friends in the months ahead.”

Pull up a chair and watch Hearth and Home, the new Hearthstone animated short, on YouTube.

Earlier this month, Blizzard Entertainment released Knights of the Frozen Throne, the latest expansion for Hearthstone, which is available now for Windows® and Mac® PCs; Windows, iOS, and Android™ tablets; and iOS and Android phones. In Knights of the Frozen Throne, players storm Icecrown Citadel, the Lich King’s frozen fortress, in pursuit of the icy monarch’s unholy power.

Please visit the Blizzard press center for assets and information.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, Overwatch®, the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, and the multifranchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-one #1 games* and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

*Based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about Hearthstone animated shorts and comics, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

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Blizzard Battle.net Update

When we announced that we’d be transitioning away from the Battle.net name for our online-gaming service, we suspected that the shift would be challenging. We understood that Battle.net stood for something special—it represents years of shared history and enjoyment, community and friendship, for all of us and our players.

Battle.net is the central nervous system for Blizzard games and the connective tissue that has brought Blizzard players together since 1996. The technology was never going away, but after giving the branding change further consideration and also hearing your feedback, we’re in agreement that the name should stay as well. Take it from the developer formerly known as Silicon & Synapse, and Chaos Studios, names are important too.

Moving forward, to help offset some of the original concerns we listed back in September, we will be connecting “Blizzard” to “Battle.net” in our logo for the service and in general when we refer to it in print: Blizzard Battle.net.

We appreciate your feedback and look forward to many more years of bringing players together online.

Thanks,

Blizzard Entertainment

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Winter Comes Early for Hearthstone® in Knights of the Frozen Throne™

IRVINE, Calif.—August 10, 2017—As the cold shroud of death falls upon the land of the living, Azeroth’s mortal inhabitants shiver with fear—Knights of the Frozen Throne™, the new expansion for Blizzard Entertainment’s smash-hit digital card game Hearthstone®, has arrived. The Lich King—Lord of the Scourge, master of Icecrown Citadel, and wielder of the cursed runeblade Frostmourne—has come to conquer the tavern and those within it, promising power in the form of 135 frosty new cards.

Knights of the Frozen Throne takes players to Northrend, where they’ll meet an untimely demise, only to be raised by the Lich King and granted terrifying new powers from beyond the grave. Adventurers can harness this unholy might by collecting nine new legendary Hero Cards that, when played, transform the heroes of Hearthstone into fearsome Death Knights.

Those with the will to rise against the Lich King can embark on a series of challenging missions that Knights of the Frozen Throne offers to everyone—for free. Players who enter the icy halls of Icecrown Citadel and complete the prologue shall receive a random Legendary Death Knight Hero Card before battling through two wings guarded by iconic bosses like the pestilent Professor Putricide and Blood Queen Lana’thel . . . until only the Lich King stands between them and the Frozen Throne.

 “The Lich King is one of our most iconic villains, and we’re excited to finally bring him—and his nine new Death Knights—to Hearthstone,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Whether they’re ascending the Frozen Throne or dueling with friends at Fireside Gatherings, we can’t wait to see how players wield these deadly new cards.”

Knights of the Frozen Throne is available now for Windows® and Mac® PCs; Windows, iOS, and Android™ tablets; and iOS and Android phones. Card packs can be purchased individually or in discounted bundles from the in-game Shop for gold or real-world currency at the same price as all other Hearthstone card packs. Players now have the chance to win Knights of the Frozen Throne card packs as quest rewards or prizes in the Arena, and can also craft cards from the expansion by using Arcane Dust collected from disenchanting unwanted cards. Players who log in by November 1 will receive three free Knights of the Frozen Throne card packs* to aid them as reinforcements arrive to storm Icecrown Citadel.

Taste the Lich King’s power at thefrozenthrone.com.

* 3 free Knights of the Frozen Throne packs are a one-time offer and available only for a limited time. Offer ends November 1.
 

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, Overwatch®, the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, and the multifranchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-one #1 games†  and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

Based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.

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The Overwatch League Welcomes Two More Teams!

SANTA MONICA and IRVINE, Calif. – August 10, 2017 – The Overwatch League today announced its latest team sales, with esports organization founder Jack Etienne of Cloud9 purchasing the team for London, and sports industry leaders Stan and Josh Kroenke purchasing a team for Los Angeles.

The Overwatch League is the first major global professional esports league with city-based teams, and will showcase world-class competitive play in Blizzard Entertainment’s hit game Overwatch®. Last month the League announced its first team sales to seven leading entrepreneurs and organizations from traditional sports, esports, and the technology sector, representing major global cities from Boston to Shanghai. With today’s announcement, the League now includes teams from Asia, Europe, and North America, including two teams for Los Angeles.

“The Overwatch League continues to have great momentum,” said Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. “We’re thrilled to add Jack Etienne of Cloud9 and Stan and Josh Kroenke of the Los Angeles Rams, Arsenal Football Club, Denver Nuggets and Colorado Avalanche to our group of extraordinary Overwatch League owners around the world. They will enhance our ability to celebrate and reward players and fans in Los Angeles, London, and beyond.”

“Overwatch is a global game, with heroes – and players – from around the world, so it’s important to us that as many Overwatch League fans as possible have local or regional teams to root for,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “In addition to broadening the competitive field for Season 1, we’re excited that today’s announcement helps set the stage for more epic intercontinental rivalries.”

“Building communities around the best competitive experiences in the world is incredibly rewarding, and the Overwatch League offers the chance to create something special,” said Josh Kroenke, cofounder of KSE Esports. “We’re impressed by the vision and strategy for the League, and we’re going to build a great team for Los Angeles that inspires fans near and far.”

 “We applaud the creation of the Overwatch League, and couldn’t be happier partnering with an organization that shares our values and vision of serving athletes, teams, and fans,” said Jack Etienne, founder and CEO of Cloud9. “We are thrilled that Cloud9’s formidable fan base throughout Europe and the UK now has a local team to call their own, and can’t wait to start representing London in the Overwatch League.”

The Overwatch League is slated to begin later this year, with an official player signing window for Season 1 now open from August 1 to October 30, 2017. Details on player signings, salaries and benefits have been announced, with players earning a minimum of $50,000 each year, and at least 50 percent of team performance bonuses from winning playoffs and other league events going directly to players. Teams will provide players with health insurance and a retirement savings plan, as well as player housing and practice facilities during the season which will meet professional standards set by the Overwatch League.

More information about the League’s format and timeline, as well as new team announcements, will be shared over the coming months.

About Overwatch League™

The Overwatch League™ is the first major global professional esports league with city-based teams in Boston, London, Los Angeles, Miami-Orlando, New York, San Francisco, Seoul, and Shanghai. Overwatch® was created by globally acclaimed publisher Blizzard Entertainment (a division of Activision Blizzard – Nasdaq: ATVI), whose iconic franchises have helped lay the foundations and push the boundaries of professional esports over the last 15 years. Among Blizzard’s stable of twenty-one #1 games,* Overwatch is the fastest to reach more than 30 million players. Overwatch was built from the ground up for online competition, with memorable characters and fast-paced action designed for the most engaging gameplay and spectator experiences. To learn more about the Overwatch League, visit www.overwatchleague.com.

*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.

Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the expected start date of the Overwatch League, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

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Seven Overwatch League Teams Announced!

SANTA MONICA, Calif. – July 12, 2017 – Activision Blizzard, Inc. (Nasdaq: ATVI) today announced the sale of the first Overwatch League™ teams for major global cities to seven entrepreneurs and leaders from traditional sports and esports. The Overwatch League is the first major global professional esports league with city-based teams.

New team owners include:

  • Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group and the New England Patriots (Boston)
  • Jeff Wilpon, Co-Founder and Partner of Sterling.VC and COO of the New York Mets (New York)
  • Noah Whinston, CEO of Immortals (Los Angeles)
  • Ben Spoont, CEO and Co-Founder of Misfits Gaming (Miami-Orlando)
  • Andy Miller, Chairman and Founder of NRG Esports (San Francisco)
  • NetEase (Shanghai)
  • Kevin Chou, Co-founder of Kabam (Seoul)

“Overwatch already connects over 30 million players worldwide. The Overwatch League will celebrate and reward our most accomplished players and give fans more opportunities to engage with each other,” said Activision Blizzard CEO Bobby Kotick. “We’re excited to be working with leaders from esports and traditional sports to celebrate our players and to establish the Overwatch League.”

“Overwatch is a game about a diverse group of international heroes who fight for an optimistic vision of the future, and the Overwatch League is an extension of that spirit,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and co-founder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re building this league for fans – esports fans, traditional sports fans, gaming fans – and we’re thrilled to have individuals and organizations who are as passionate about professional competition as we are, and who have extensive experience in all three fields, representing our first major international cities in the league.”

“We have been exploring the esports market for a number of years and have been waiting for the right opportunity to enter,” said Robert Kraft, Chairman and CEO of the Kraft Group. “The incredible global success of Overwatch since its launch, coupled with the League’s meticulous focus on a structure and strategy that clearly represents the future of esports made this the obvious entry point for the Kraft Group.”

“It’s an honor to be selected as one of the ownership groups in the inaugural season of this new league,” said Jeff Wilpon, co-founder and partner at Sterling.VC, a Sterling Equities venture capital fund. “We view our participation in the Overwatch League as a major opportunity to take a lead position where technology is converging with sports and media. This partnership with the Overwatch League and with some of the elite ownership groups in professional sports, offers a unique opportunity to connect with millions of dedicated fans, engaged and passionate about one of the world’s fastest growing sports, and to continue proudly representing New York.”

“Immortals has been eagerly anticipating the launch of the Overwatch League since the plans were unveiled. With our shared values and vision for the future of esports, we’re honored to be selected as one of the initial members of this global league,” said Immortals CEO Noah Whinston. “Alongside our partners at AEG, we’re excited to pioneer esports regionality as an inaugural franchise and to continue L.A.’s championship tradition.”

“Misfits Gaming is thrilled to join the Overwatch League and represent the great cities of Miami and Orlando,” said Misfits Gaming CEO and Co-Founder Ben Spoont. “Competing as part of a major city-based esports league is something we’ve always wanted to do, and together with our partner the Miami Heat we’re very excited by the potential to build something amazing for our fans in the months and years ahead. This is going to be a great experience for teams and everyone who loves esports.”

“NRG Esports couldn’t be more honored to represent San Francisco and all of Northern California for the launch of the Overwatch League,” said Andy Miller, Chairman and Founder of NRG Esports. “As big believers in Overwatch, NRG has fielded one of the most popular teams in the world since the game’s release and can’t wait to bring a hometown team to the Bay Area.”

“We’re passionate about gaming at NetEase, and the Overwatch League is an opportunity we didn’t want to miss” said William Ding, CEO of NetEase. “The commitment of Overwatch’s players and fan community is an incredible foundation on which to build a successful global league, and we’re looking forward to building a world-class team for Shanghai that inspires fans everywhere.” 

“As esports enthusiasts, we’ve always seen Seoul as the place to be for world-class competitive gaming,” said Kevin Chou, co-founder of Kabam. “We’re very honored to represent the birthplace of esports as owners of the Overwatch League team in Seoul and excited to work closely with the most passionate and enthusiastic gaming community in the world.”

Overwatch was created by globally acclaimed publisher Blizzard Entertainment, known for iconic franchises including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, StarCraft®, and Heroes of the Storm®, many of which have laid the foundations and helped push the boundaries of professional esports over the last 15 years. Among Blizzard’s stable of twenty #1 games over the past two decades, Overwatch is the fastest to reach more than 30 million players. Overwatch was built from the ground up for online competition, with memorable characters and fast-paced action designed for the most engaging gameplay and spectator experiences.

The Overwatch League, slated to begin later this year, is a unique opportunity for owners and players. As the first major esports league to feature a city-based structure, the league will drive development of local fan bases. For the first season of the league, regular-season matches will be played at an esports arena in the Los Angeles area, as teams develop their local venues for formal home and away play in future seasons. Matches will be played each Thursday, Friday and Saturday. A full schedule and information about ticket sales will be announced closer to launch.

The league will create value for team owners through advertising, ticketing and broadcast rights revenues, with teams receiving an equal share of all league-wide net revenues. Teams will also keep all local revenues generated through their home territory and venue up to a set amount each year, unprecedented in esports; above the set amount, a percentage is sent to the league’s shared revenue pool. In addition, teams will have a license to operate and monetize up to five amateur events in their home territory each year, and to benefit from the sale of league-affiliated fan items in Overwatch, with 50% of the revenues going into the net shared revenue pool for all teams.

The Overwatch League will also provide advertisers and sponsors with opportunities that are unparalleled in the esports space, with global fan bases not found in traditional sports, along with better targeting and analytics than traditional forms of advertising. Last year, 285 million people worldwide watched esports.[1] The quickly-growing esports audience also includes some of the hardest to reach and most sought after demographics, with a share of millennials two to three times higher than any of the ‘Big Four’ US sports.[2] 

To learn more about the Overwatch League, visit the official website at www.overwatchleague.com.  

[1] Newzoo, 2017

[2] Esports audience demographic from Blizzard Consumer Insights survey of 5,000 global esports viewers, 2016; US professional sports demographics from Barclays ‘Future of Sports: Aggregator of Platforms’, September 2016

Activision Blizzard, Inc., a member of the Fortune 500 and S&P 500, is the world’s most successful standalone interactive entertainment company. We delight hundreds of millions of monthly active users around the world through franchises including Activision’s Call of Duty®, Destiny and Skylanders®, Blizzard Entertainment’s World of Warcraft®, Overwatch®, Hearthstone®, Diablo®, StarCraft®, and Heroes of the Storm®, and King’s Candy Crush™, Pet Rescue™, Bubble Witch™ and Farm Heroes™. The company is one of the Fortune “100 Best Companies To Work For®”. Headquartered in Santa Monica, California, Activision Blizzard has operations throughout the world, and its games are played in 196 countries. More information about Activision Blizzard and its products can be found on the company’s website, www.activisionblizzard.com.

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The Lich King to Raid Hearthstone® in Knights of the Frozen Throne™

Pry 135 new cards from the Lich King’s icy grasp in upcoming expansion for Blizzard Entertainment’s internationally acclaimed digital card game

Transform heroes into Death Knights and wield powerful new abilities with legendary Hero Cards

Claim the Frozen Throne in a series of free missions

IRVINE, Calif.—July 7, 2017—For those in the service of the Lich King, death is only the beginning. . . . Blizzard Entertainment today announced Knights of the Frozen Throne, the new expansion coming this August to Hearthstone®, Blizzard’s smash-hit digital card game. Adventurers will soon travel to Northrend, where they’ll confront the Lich King and be raised as Death Knights, wielding otherworldly powers and stealing life from their opponents, and ultimately ascending Icecrown Citadel to claim the Frozen Throne—and 135 frosty new cards—for themselves.

In Knights of the Frozen Throne, players storm Icecrown Citadel, the Lich King’s frozen fortress, in pursuit of the forbidden might of runic magic. Rumor has it the Lich King seeks champions to imbue with the icy essence of undeath: players will soon receive his favor in the form of nine new legendary Hero Cards that, when played, transform Hearthstone’s heroes into fearsome Death Knights, granting frost-rimed armor and modified powers. The Lich King has also decided to bestow players with a new power from beyond the grave: “Lifesteal,” a chilling new keyword, heals players for damage dealt.

Those not content with merely serving at the Lich King’s behest can challenge him directly in a series of free missions that Knights of the Frozen Throne will offer to all players. Step into Icecrown Citadel in the prologue mission, then venture through the citadel’s two wings as you fight iconic bosses like Professor Putricide and Sindragosa on your way to a final epic showdown against The Lich King himself. After completing the prologue mission, players will receive a random legendary Death Knight Hero Card.

Coming to Windows® and Mac® PCs; Windows, iOS, and Android tablets; and mobile phones, Knights of the Frozen Throne card packs will be winnable in Hearthstone’s Arena mode and purchasable with in-game gold or real money at the same prices as Hearthstone’s other card packs. Starting today and up until the expansion is released, players eager for an audience with the Lich King can pre-purchase Knights of the Frozen Throne card packs in a special 50-pack bundle, on any platform, for a one-time price of $49.99 (one purchase per account). Those who do so will be granted a unique themed card back from the Lord of the Scourge himself.

Get your first taste of undeath at thefrozenthrone.com.

About Blizzard Entertainment, Inc.
Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, Overwatch®, the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, and the multifranchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-one #1 games* and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

*Based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements:
Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about pricing, preorder dates, release dates, features, and functionality of the Knights of the Frozen Throne expansion for Hearthstone are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

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StarCraft: Remastered Arrives August 14—Prepurchase Now!

IRVINE, California—June 29, 2017—Experience the original clash between the terrans, protoss, and zerg like never before in StarCraft®: Remastered, a lovingly crafted modernization of the award-winning sci-fi real-time strategy game from Blizzard Entertainment, which launches worldwide on August 14. Grizzled StarCraft veterans and new commanders alike can now pre-purchase the game through the online Blizzard Shop and receive some exclusive in-game rewards.

All players who pre-purchase before August 14 will receive three unique building skins for use in StarCraft: Remastered—the Char Hive, the Korhal Command Center, and the Aiur Nexus. Additionally, those who purchase StarCraft: Remastered will receive digital bonuses in StarCraft II, including the Alexei Stukov co-op commander and three unique portraits that celebrate StarCraft: Remastered.

StarCraft: Remastered adds modern conveniences to the original StarCraft experience while maintaining the same gameplay that has captivated a passionate community of gamers for almost two decades. It’s also fully compatible with the existing version of StarCraft, meaning that those who purchase the upgrade can play with those who already have StarCraft and StarCraft: Brood War®. Updates and new features include:

  • Full graphical upgrade of the original StarCraft and the StarCraft: Brood War expansion
  • Widescreen UHD support for up to 4K resolution
  • New matchmaking and leaderboards
  • Player profiles that track individual statistics
  • Cloud saving for campaign progress, hotkeys, and replays
  • Higher fidelity music and sound
  • Switch between Remastered and the original StarCraft with the click of a button!

“Nearly 20 years ago, StarCraft welcomed millions of gamers to an epic sci-fi universe—and also helped form the foundation for esports as we know it today,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Passionate gamers around the world are still playing Brood War, both with friends and  competitively, so we’re modernizing the technology behind StarCraft so that they can continue to enjoy the game for many years to come.”

StarCraft: Remastered will be available for Windows® and Mac® PCs for $14.99 USD and will be fully localized into English, Brazilian Portuguese, European and Latin American Spanish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Korean, Japanese, and simplified and traditional Chinese. Learn more at www.starcraft.com

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, Overwatch®, the Warcraft®, StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, and the multi-franchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-one #1 games* and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the expected release dates, pricing, features and functionality of StarCraft: Remastered, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.

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A Dark Hero Returns to Diablo® III—Rise of the Necromancer™ Now Available

IRVINE, Calif.—June 27, 2017—Sanctuary’s fallen warriors have long awaited this moment: the necromancer has finally returned to send them back into battle against the demons of the Burning Hells. Blizzard Entertainment today announced that the Rise of the Necromancer pack, which summons the iconic necromancer class into Diablo® III: Reaper of Souls®, is now available digitally in-game on PC and through the online Blizzard Shop, PlayStation®Store, and Xbox One Store.

Necromancers are grim spellcasters who draw upon the power of blood and bone and raise terrifying armies of undead minions from the remains of their vanquished foes. These brooding men and women are masters of the dark arts who seek to preserve the balance between the forces of life and death in Sanctuary—even if it requires detonating several thousand demon corpses along the way.

In addition to a new class, the Rise of the Necromancer pack contains a macabre assortment of curiosities to support any aspiring practitioner of forbidden magic, including:

  • The grotesque Half-formed Golem in-game pet
  • Cosmetic Wings of the Crypt Guardian for all your Diablo III characters
  • Two additional character slots
  • Two stash tabs (PC only)
  • Necromancer portrait, banner, sigil, and accent, and Blood Master pennant

Acolytes of the dark arts can also unearth the most closely guarded secrets of the Priests of Rathma by studying the Book of the Necromancer at Diablo3.com/Necro. This archive chronicles the shadowy history of the necromancers and contains a grimoire of their spells, runes, weapons, and armor—an ideal resource for anyone who plans to take the necromancer through the challenges that comprise the Season 11 journey, beginning July 20.

 “We’re excited to continue our celebration of the 20th anniversary of Diablo by reimagining one of the community’s all-time favorite classes in the Rise of the Necromancer pack,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We look forward to seeing a new generation of necromancers exploring Adventure Mode, discovering new character builds, and exploding corpses in Greater Rifts throughout Sanctuary.”

The Night of the Necromancer celebration kicks off tonight at 5 p.m. PDT on Twitch as senior game designer Travis Day joins Nerdist’s Jessica Chobot as she raises hell on a new necromancer, streaming her play experience from a haunted location. After teaming up, Chobot will be left to fend for herself as she attempts to survive from dusk till dawn.

Console gamers who have yet to experience Diablo III can acquire a legendary treasure starting today in the form of the digital-only Eternal Collection, which includes the Rise of the Necromancer pack, Diablo III, and the award-winning Reaper of Souls expansion for PlayStation 4 or Xbox One. This expansive all-in-one collection is a perfect jumping-in point for anyone who might have missed out on the definitive couch co-op gaming experience.

The Rise of the Necromancer pack is now available for Windows® and Mac® PCs, as well as on PlayStation 4 and Xbox One, for $14.99 USD. The epic Diablo III: Eternal Collection bundle is currently available to PlayStation®Plus members on PS4 and Xbox Live Gold members on Xbox One through July 3 at a special introductory price of $39.99 (reg. $59.99 SRP). On PC, newcomers to Sanctuary can take advantage of special celebratory savings of up to 50% off on Diablo III, the Reaper of Souls expansion, and the Diablo Battle Chest. Visit the Blizzard Shop for more information.

Diablo III: Reaper of Souls and the Rise of the Necromancer pack are fully localized in English, Brazilian Portuguese, European and Latin American Spanish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Korean, and simplified and traditional Chinese. To learn more, and to try Diablo III for free on PC, visit the official website at www.diablo3.com. For screenshots, videos, artwork, and other media, visit the Blizzard Entertainment press site.

With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently available—visit jobs.blizzard.com for more information and to learn how to apply.

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft®, Hearthstone®, Overwatch®, the Warcraft®StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, and the multi-franchise Heroes of the Storm®, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry’s most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes twenty-one #1 games* and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company’s online-gaming service is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment’s expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about the Night of the Necromancer celebration and the release dates of Season 11, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment’s actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.