Diablo 5 is now in full production and is targeting a 2029 release. Director Joe Shely says the sequel will add more character classes, procedural worlds, and a story set 100 years after Diablo 4.
5:41 PMIGN19 stories from 3 sources
Blizzard Maps a Long, Expansive Future for Its Franchises
Day’s Recap
Supporting Articles
Blizzard has announced a new StarCraft project, but it is not expected to arrive until 2030. General manager Dan Hay explained that the long runway reflects both the scale of the project and Blizzard's plans for the franchise.
6:55 PMPolygon
World of Warcraft's new Classic Plus release can be played entirely with a gamepad, a major shift for an MMO built around keyboard and mouse controls. Players can now settle into Azeroth from the couch without relying on a traditional PC setup.
9:30 PMPolygon
The developers behind World of Warcraft: Forever outlined the game's new features and explained why they do not see a separate WoW 2 as necessary. Their approach is to keep evolving the existing game instead of starting over with a sequel.
2:11 PMIGN
The Witcher 3 Remastered and Cyberpunk 2077 are coming to Battle.net, but Blizzard says those additions do not signal a broader push into third-party games. The platform will remain focused on Blizzard titles rather than trying to become another Steam.
9:05 PMPolygon
Overwatch is teaming up with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners for its next major anime crossover. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is also headed to Battle.net later this year.
1:28 PMPolygon
A fan-made PvP multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part 2 on PC will not be released. Its creator says Sony Interactive Entertainment asked the team to keep the project private, putting an end to the unofficial multiplayer experiment.
10:44 PMIGN5:41 PMIGN
Diablo 5 Director Confirms Game is Already in Full Production
Summary
Diablo 5 is now in full production and is targeting a 2029 release. Director Joe Shely says the sequel will add more character classes, procedural worlds, and a story set 100 years after Diablo 4.
Blizzard is clearly thinking beyond a routine sequel, with a major time jump and systems
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Diablo 5 is real, active development is underway, and Blizzard is aiming for a much bigger next chapter.
6:55 PMPolygon
Why StarCraft Isn't Coming Back Until 2030
Summary
Blizzard has announced a new StarCraft project, but it is not expected to arrive until 2030. General manager Dan Hay explained that the long runway reflects both the scale of the project and Blizzard's plans for the franchise.
The announcement appears designed to set expectations early rather than promise a near-term release. For
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
StarCraft is returning, just not soon enough to quiet the fan base anytime this decade.
9:30 PMPolygon
World of Warcraft Forever Officially Brings Gamepad Controls Blizzard's MMO
Summary
World of Warcraft's new Classic Plus release can be played entirely with a gamepad, a major shift for an MMO built around keyboard and mouse controls. Players can now settle into Azeroth from the couch without relying on a traditional PC setup.
Gamepad support could make WoW feel more approachable, especially for players used to console-style controls.
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
World of Warcraft is becoming more accessible to players who prefer a controller over a keyboard and mouse.
2:11 PMIGN
World of Warcraft: Forever Devs Explain Why the Game Makes WoW 2 Unlikely
Summary
The developers behind World of Warcraft: Forever outlined the game's new features and explained why they do not see a separate WoW 2 as necessary. Their approach is to keep evolving the existing game instead of starting over with a sequel.
For a game this old, constant expansion may make more sense than asking players to
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The developers are betting that World of Warcraft can keep growing without a traditional sequel.
9:05 PMPolygon
Blizzard Has No Plans To Turn Battle.net Into A Steam Competitor
Summary
The Witcher 3 Remastered and Cyberpunk 2077 are coming to Battle.net, but Blizzard says those additions do not signal a broader push into third-party games. The platform will remain focused on Blizzard titles rather than trying to become another Steam.
Bringing in a few major releases gives Battle.net a boost without forcing Blizzard to compete
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Battle.net is expanding carefully, not reinventing itself as a full-scale Steam rival.
1:28 PMPolygon
Cyberpunk: Edgerunners Is Overwatch's Next Big Anime Collaboration
Summary
Overwatch is teaming up with Cyberpunk: Edgerunners for its next major anime crossover. Meanwhile, Cyberpunk 2077: Ultimate Edition is also headed to Battle.net later this year.
It is a neat bit of cross-promotion for two very different corners of the Cyberpunk
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The collaboration gives Overwatch another flashy pop-culture crossover while expanding Cyberpunk 2077's reach on PC.
10:44 PMIGN
The Last of Us Part 2 Multiplayer Mod Cancelled at Sony’s Request
Summary
A fan-made PvP multiplayer mod for The Last of Us Part 2 on PC will not be released. Its creator says Sony Interactive Entertainment asked the team to keep the project private, putting an end to the unofficial multiplayer experiment.
Sony is still keeping a tight grip on The Last of Us brand, especially anything
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The cancellation shows how closely major publishers protect their biggest game properties.
Other Developments
A curated list of other prominent stories from this day.
Former BioWare developer Jennifer Hepler is contributing to Diablo 5's development. She says her background in traditional role-playing games has been a strength while working on the sequel.
7:51 PMPolygon
He Who Watches channels the spirit of Portal while pushing its puzzles into stranger, more mind-bending territory. The result is an inventive new challenge built around the same satisfying mix of experimentation and discovery.
5:00 PMPolygon
Blizzard and CD Projekt have shown off a Geralt-inspired Barbarian skin for Diablo 4. The catch is that players must preorder The Witcher 3 expansion Songs of the Past through Battle.net to claim it.
4:36 PMIGN
The Diablo 4 team is enthusiastically backing a new animated Netflix series set in the dark fantasy universe. Developers also discussed the game's upcoming Switch 2 port and the Season of Hell's Legacy update.
4:04 PMIGN
Overwatch developers have confirmed that Tracer remains the game's official face. Her recent absence from some major collaborations and marketing apparently has not changed that status.
3:02 PMIGN
This ranking looks back at the video game franchises that defined the medium during the 20th century. It celebrates the series that made gaming more memorable and helped shape its rise into a cultural force.
3:01 PMPolygon
Apple may be preparing two game controllers for the iPhone, potentially selling them through its Beats brand. The rumors gained momentum after references to two first-party controllers appeared in macOS code.
2:30 PMThe Verge
The GameCube had plenty of inventive, rewarding games that never found the audience they deserved. This list revisits 10 overlooked standouts that remain well worth playing.
1:00 PMPolygon
The 2026 fall game lineup looks packed, with GTA 6 and a new Zelda likely dominating the conversation. Sony plays the season’s villain, but its position in the industry could still leave it as one of the biggest winners.
10:14 AMPolygon
Echo Weaver mixes platforming, time loops, and several other game ideas into one distinctive experience. Instead of sticking to a single formula, it uses those genres to make each run feel fresh and unpredictable.
10:00 AMPolygon
Marvel’s Wolverine may fail to earn a Game of the Year nomination in 2026, despite being one of PlayStation’s major upcoming exclusives. If that prediction holds, it would end Sony’s run of having a nominated PlayStation exclusive every year since 2014.
9:00 AMPolygon
Grand Theft Auto 6 is reportedly making car theft feel more immersive and unpredictable than in previous games. Instead of treating every vehicle like a quick grab-and-go objective, Rockstar appears ready to turn stealing cars into a richer part of the experience.
1:00 AMPolygon7:51 PMPolygon
Diablo 5 Has A Surprising Connection To Dragon Age
Summary
Former BioWare developer Jennifer Hepler is contributing to Diablo 5's development. She says her background in traditional role-playing games has been a strength while working on the sequel.
That gives Diablo 5 a notable Dragon Age connection and hints at a stronger focus
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
A veteran RPG writer could help Diablo 5 deepen its story and bring some Dragon Age flavor to Sanctuary.
5:00 PMPolygon
2026’s Best Puzzle Game Is an Even Trippier Take On Portal
Summary
He Who Watches channels the spirit of Portal while pushing its puzzles into stranger, more mind-bending territory. The result is an inventive new challenge built around the same satisfying mix of experimentation and discovery.
Portal comparisons set a high bar, but this game appears to use that influence as
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
He Who Watches could be the next standout puzzle game for players hungry for something clever and surreal.
4:36 PMIGN
The Witcher 3 Geralt Skin for Diablo 4 Barbarians Revealed — but There's a Catch
Summary
Blizzard and CD Projekt have shown off a Geralt-inspired Barbarian skin for Diablo 4. The catch is that players must preorder The Witcher 3 expansion Songs of the Past through Battle.net to claim it.
It is a fun crossover, but the exclusive tie-in turns a cosmetic reveal into a
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The crossover expands Diablo's fan service while pushing players toward a Battle.net preorder.
4:04 PMIGN
‘Hell Yes!’ - Diablo 4 Dev Team Reacts to the Franchise’s New Netflix Show
Summary
The Diablo 4 team is enthusiastically backing a new animated Netflix series set in the dark fantasy universe. Developers also discussed the game's upcoming Switch 2 port and the Season of Hell's Legacy update.
Diablo is expanding beyond the games, and the developers seem eager to see the world
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Diablo is becoming a broader entertainment brand, not just a long-running action RPG.
3:02 PMIGN
Overwatch Devs Confirm That Yes, Tracer Is Still The Game’s Mascot
Summary
Overwatch developers have confirmed that Tracer remains the game's official face. Her recent absence from some major collaborations and marketing apparently has not changed that status.
Tracer may not be everywhere right now, but Blizzard clearly still sees her as central
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The game's most recognizable character is still firmly at the center of Overwatch's brand.
3:01 PMPolygon
The Greatest Video Game Franchises of the 20th Century, Ranked
Summary
This ranking looks back at the video game franchises that defined the medium during the 20th century. It celebrates the series that made gaming more memorable and helped shape its rise into a cultural force.
The list is ultimately a tour through gaming history, from foundational hits to franchises that
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Gaming's modern identity was built by a relatively small group of hugely influential franchises.
2:30 PMThe Verge
Apple is reportedly working on iPhone game controllers
Summary
Apple may be preparing two game controllers for the iPhone, potentially selling them through its Beats brand. The rumors gained momentum after references to two first-party controllers appeared in macOS code.
Apple has flirted with gaming hardware before, but a Beats-branded controller would give the company
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Apple may be getting ready to make iPhone gaming feel more like a console experience.
1:00 PMPolygon
10 Near-Perfect GameCube Games Nobody Played
Summary
The GameCube had plenty of inventive, rewarding games that never found the audience they deserved. This list revisits 10 overlooked standouts that remain well worth playing.
The console's biggest hits often overshadowed its stranger and more experimental releases. For anyone revisiting
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
These games show how much excellent GameCube software slipped through the cracks.
10:14 AMPolygon
Sony is the Bad Guy of 2026, but it’s Going to Win Anyway
Summary
The 2026 fall game lineup looks packed, with GTA 6 and a new Zelda likely dominating the conversation. Sony plays the season’s villain, but its position in the industry could still leave it as one of the biggest winners.
It is a classic case of being unpopular while holding plenty of power. Even with
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
The biggest winner of gaming’s next blockbuster season may not be the company making the most beloved games.
10:00 AMPolygon
We Need More Games Like Echo Weaver
Summary
Echo Weaver mixes platforming, time loops, and several other game ideas into one distinctive experience. Instead of sticking to a single formula, it uses those genres to make each run feel fresh and unpredictable.
That kind of experimentation is increasingly welcome in a crowded market full of familiar sequels
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Games like Echo Weaver show how much room there is for inventive ideas beyond the usual blockbuster formulas.
9:00 AMPolygon
Marvel's Wolverine Set To End Sony's Historic 11-Year GOTY Run
Summary
Marvel’s Wolverine may fail to earn a Game of the Year nomination in 2026, despite being one of PlayStation’s major upcoming exclusives. If that prediction holds, it would end Sony’s run of having a nominated PlayStation exclusive every year since 2014.
That would be a striking break from Sony’s recent awards dominance, though a lot can
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
Sony’s long streak shows how consistently its first-party games have shaped the awards conversation.
1:00 AMPolygon
GTA 6 Is About to Totally Reinvent One of the Best Experiences in Video Games
Summary
Grand Theft Auto 6 is reportedly making car theft feel more immersive and unpredictable than in previous games. Instead of treating every vehicle like a quick grab-and-go objective, Rockstar appears ready to turn stealing cars into a richer part of the experience.
That may sound like a small upgrade, but car theft is the basic rhythm of
Unlock the full First Pass Analysis to get a better understanding of why this story mattersWhy it matters
GTA 6 could refresh one of the series’ most recognizable mechanics rather than simply making the map bigger.
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