Hearthstone is now available on Android tablets

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is now available worldwide for Android tablet devices! Players can download the game for free now on the Google Play store and the Amazon Appstore for Android, and start slinging spells, summoning minions, and dueling opponents.

“Hearthstone’s intuitive interface and approachable design make it a perfect fit for tablets, and we’ve put a lot of effort into ensuring players have a great experience on a wide range of Android devices,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We’re excited to welcome Android players to the Hearthstone community, and we’re looking forward to bringing the game to even more mobile platforms—including phones—in the future.”

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is a fast-paced, easy-to-learn online digital card game for players of every skill level. Hearthstone offers a wide variety of ways to play, whether you want to prove your prowess in ranked matches, test your chops as a deck builder in the Arena, take on crafty A.I. opponents in the Curse of Naxxramas Adventure (sold separately), or challenge your friends to a duel.

Hearthstone players on Android tablets have access to all of the exciting features and content available in the Windows, Mac, and iPad versions of the game—including the recently released first expansion, Goblins vs Gnomes, which adds more than 120 new cards and an all-new type of minion, Mechs. Players can purchase Goblins vs Gnomes card packs in the in-game shop for gold or real-world currency, earn cards as Arena rewards, or craft them using Arcane Dust.

To celebrate the launch on Android and help new players start their collection, anyone who starts one game in any mode on their Android tablet will receive one free Classic card pack from the original Hearthstone set.

In addition to the Android tablet version, Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft is available now on iPad and Windows and Mac PCs, with iPhone and Android phone versions in the works.

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First Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft expansion is now live

Goblins vs Gnomes, the explosive first expansion to Blizzard Entertainment’s fast-paced online strategy card game Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft, is now available around the world! Introducing more than 120 new cards—including an all-new type of minion, Mechs—Goblins vs Gnomes opens up countless new strategic possibilities for Hearthstone players of every skill level.

In celebration of the expansion’s release, Blizzard is offering anyone who logs in to Hearthstone between the launch and December 19 three free Goblins vs Gnomes card packs—a triple-powered jolt of mayhem to help players jump-start their collections.

“Goblins vs Gnomes throws a big wrench into the Hearthstone works,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Players are already having a blast coming up with inventive new strategies and deck ideas—we’re looking forward to seeing what happens now that they can put those plans into action.”

Goblins vs Gnomes throws players in the middle of the epic rivalry between Azeroth’s audacious goblin engineers and their equally “adventurous” gnomish counterparts—and these pint-sized tinkerers are ready to stir up trouble. Their incredible inventions and mechanical monstrosities are marvelous to behold . . . but when Hearthstone players deploy them in a duel, the results can be quite unpredictable.

Goblins vs Gnomes card packs are available in-game now for gold or real-world currency, priced the same as Expert card packs from the original Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft set. Players can also win Goblins vs Gnomes cards as rewards in the Arena or craft them using Arcane Dust earned from disenchanting cards in their collection.

Goblins vs Gnomes is available now in the Americas, Europe and Asia regions for Windows, Mac, and iPad. Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft and Goblins vs Gnomes are coming soon to Android tablet devices.

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World of Warcraft surpases 10 million subscribers

Blizzard Entertainment today announced that as of the first 24 hours of the expansion’s availability, more than 3.3 million copies had sold-through and the game’s global subscriber base had passed 10 million, with growth across all major regions.

The release last week in North America, Latin America, Europe, Australia, New Zealand, and Southeast Asia brought some technical and demand-related issues that made the first few days especially challenging for many players. To address the issues, Blizzard worked around the clock to roll out a series of updates and increase realm capacity across the board, and performance has remained solid since then. The expansion launched on November 20 (local time) in South Korea, mainland China, Taiwan, Hong Kong, and Macau.

“We’re thrilled that so many players jumped in to play Warlords of Draenor on day one and are having a great time with the new content,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “We poured a lot of hard work and passion into this expansion, and we appreciate all the kind words from players and the overwhelming support they continue to show for World of Warcraft.”

In Warlords of Draenor, Garrosh Hellscream has escaped through the Dark Portal to help forge the orc clans of old into the terrifying war machine that is the Iron Horde, intent on the destruction of Azeroth. Players must mount a desperate charge into the orc homeworld of Draenor and fight alongside and against legendary characters from Warcraft’s history to bring down the warlords before all is lost beneath the tides of iron.

As Azeroth’s heroes explore the savage world of Draenor, they’ll build and manage a mighty Garrison, a customizable stronghold that grows with them on their journey; reach new heights of power and unlock bonuses on their way to the new level cap of 100; fight the opposing faction for control of Ashran, a huge and dynamic PvP zone; and take on a wide array of Dungeons, Raids, Battlegrounds, Challenge Modes, and more.

Warlords of Draenor is available now in a digital and physical Standard Edition (SRP: 44.99€) as well as a Digital Deluxe Edition (SRP 59.99€), which includes in-game bonus items for World of Warcraft and other Blizzard games. The expansion is also available in a retail-exclusive Collector’s Edition (SRP: 79.99€), which comes equipped with the digital bonus items from the Digital Deluxe Edition as well as a full-color hardcover art book, a behind-the-scenes two-disc Blu-ray/DVD set, a CD soundtrack, and a Warlords of Draenor mouse pad.

Official Website: Link

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Diablo III Ultimate Evil Edition coming to consoles August 19

On August 19, console gamers around the world will be able to join the crusade against death itself when Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition launches on the PlayStation 3 and PlayStation 4, Xbox One, and Xbox 360. The console-exclusive Ultimate Evil Edition includes all of the content from the original Diablo III, as well as new features and updates from the critically acclaimed Reaper of Soulsexpansion. With six customizable character classes, five engrossing acts, and countless hours of gameplay, this all-inclusive package is a treasure trove of fast-paced demon-slaying action and cooperative adventure.

The console version of Reaper of Souls has been designed to take advantage of the unique features of the console platforms. All four console versions of the Ultimate Evil Edition feature 4-player same-screen and online multiplayer—whether you’re banding together on the same couch or joining the fray via PlayStation Network or the Xbox Live online entertainment network, Reaper of Souls makes it easy to experience Diablo in the best way possible: with your friends.

The Ultimate Evil Edition introduces even more ways for players to share their adventures. A new Apprentice mode boosts low-level players’ power while adventuring with high-level friends, making it easier than ever to play together. Players will also be able to share treasures with other players on their friends lists via an in-game mail system, including mysterious Player Gifts containing rare loot for the adventurer whose name they bear.

“The Ultimate Evil Edition brings Reaper of Souls to console gamers for the first time, and wraps all of the content, features, and updates we’ve released for Diablo III into one epic package,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “Whether you’re a veteran of the crusade against the forces of evil on PC or are just stepping foot into Sanctuary for the first time, there’s never been a better time to experience Diablo III from the comfort of your couch.”

In Reaper of Souls, the five valiant heroes from Diablo III—Barbarian, Demon Hunter, Monk, Witch Doctor, and Wizard—are joined by a new champion: the Crusader. Clad head to toe in fortified armor, the Crusader is an unstoppable force of righteous destruction who channels the power of divine wrath to visit retribution upon his demonic quarry.

Reaper of Souls adds a challenging new act to Diablo III in which players will embark on a dark and perilous journey through terrifying landscapes; explore the legendary city of Westmarch; and slay countless minions, each hell-bent on bringing the players’ heroic quest to a grisly end. The adventure culminates in a climactic confrontation with Malthael, the Angel of Death, whose twisted designs spell ruin for the innocent people of Sanctuary.

In addition to the Crusader hero and Act V, the Ultimate Evil Edition includes o blo III players a f Reaper of Souls, all Diablo III players the expansiona revamp of the game’s loot system, an expanded Paragon progression system for max-level characters, and several other improvements to the Diablo III game experience.

All of this new content comes with the Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition, which players can purchase beginning August 19 at a suggested retail price of 69.99€ for the PS4 or Xbox One, or 39.99€ for the PS3 or Xbox 360—check with your local retailer for availability.

Those who preorder their copy of Diablo III: Reaper of Souls - Ultimate Evil Edition will also receive the exclusive Infernal Pauldrons bonus in-game item. Wearable at level 1, these devilishly sharp transmogrifiable shoulderplates provide Health, Life regeneration, and Cooldown Reduction. The key for the Infernal Pauldrons will be available in launch day copies of the Ultimate Evil Edition (cannot be transferred across platforms).

In addition, players who fought the forces of evil in the original PS3™ or Xbox 360 versions of Diablo III will be able to continue their crusade against death. PS3™ characters from the original game can be transferred to either the PS3 or PS4 version of the Ultimate Evil Edition, and Xbox 360 characters can be transferred to the Xbox 360 or Xbox One version.

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Blizzard announces BlizzCon 2014

Alert your guilds, clans, houses, and fellowships—Blizzard Entertainment today announced plans for its eighth BlizzCon gaming convention, taking place Friday, November 7 and Saturday, November 8 at the Anaheim Convention Center in Southern California. Terrans, nephalem, Alliance, and Horde from across the multiverse are invited to join Blizzard for a two-day celebration at the nexus of all things Warcraft, StarCraft, and Diablo.

Tickets to BlizzCon will go on sale in two batches, one on May 8 and the other on May 10. In addition, a limited number of tickets to an exclusive pre-BlizzCon dinner to benefit Children’s Hospital of Orange County will go on sale May 15.

“BlizzCon is always the biggest highlight of the year for us,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “With Hearthstone and Reaper of Souls recently launched and Heroes of the Storm and Warlords of Draenor gearing up for beta, 2014 is already shaping up to be an epic year for Blizzard gamers. We can’t wait to celebrate and share what we’ve been working on with everyone this November.”

Tickets to attend the convention will be priced at $199 USD (plus applicable taxes and fees) each and will be available for purchase from the online event ticketing serviceEventbrite via their website (www.blizzcon2014.eventbrite.com) in two separate batches. The first batch goes on sale at 4 a.m. CET on Thursday, May 8, and the second batch goes on sale at 7 p.m. CET on Saturday, May 10.

Tickets to the BlizzCon Benefit Dinner, which include admission to BlizzCon, will be priced at $750 USD (plus applicable taxes and fees) each, with proceeds going to Children’s Hospital of Orange County (http://www.choc.org) to support their Feeding Therapy Program. Taking place the evening of November 6, this exclusive event offers guests an opportunity to /eat, /drink, and geek out with developers, artists, and other folks from Blizzard before the show—all for a great cause. Approximately 200 tickets to the benefit dinner will be available for purchase beginning 4 a.m. CET on Thursday, May 15 through www.blizzcon2014.eventbrite.com.

Gamers from the far reaches of Azeroth, the Koprulu sector, and Sanctuary looking to enjoy BlizzCon from the comfort of their own home will once again have the option to order a BlizzCon Virtual Ticket, offering comprehensive live coverage of the event via a multichannel Internet stream. Further details on the Virtual Ticket, including pricing, availability, and programming information, will be announced at a later date.

For further details about BlizzCon 2014, including ticket availability and pricing, visit the official BlizzCon website (www.blizzcon.com).

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Warlords of Draenor, fifth expansion for World of Warcraft is coming this Fall

This fall, World of Warcraft players around the globe will clash with the legends of Warcraft’s brutal past when Warlords of Draenor charges into stores worldwide. Azeroth’s heroes can prepare for the coming onslaught today by pre-purchasing the expansion digitally at www.worldofwarcraft.com/warlords. Players who answer this call to arms will receive their character boost to level 90 immediately, allowing them to join friends on the battlefield or experience the latest content from a whole new perspective.

The fifth expansion to Blizzard Entertainment’s acclaimed massively multiplayer online role-playing game leads players to the untamed world of Draenor, where the orc warchief Grommash Hellscream is forging his twisted Iron Horde into a world-shattering weapon of conquest. Faced with seemingly insurmountable odds, the champions of the Horde and the Alliance must establish a base of operations on Draenor and seek out courageous allies to make a stand against Hellscream’s mighty war machine.

“We’re sending players deep into uncharted territory with Warlords of Draenor,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “New features like the Garrison will give players a commanding role in theWarcraft saga like never before, and everyone can get in on the action right away with the included level-90 boost. There’s never been a better time to go to war for the Horde or the Alliance.”

When Warlords of Draenor launches this fall, it will introduce a wide variety of epic features and content for players of every kind, whether they’re longtime veterans or new recruits.

Warlords of Draenor will come in a Standard Edition (physical and digital versions available), which players can pre-purchase now at a suggested retail price of €44.99. Players also have the option to upgrade their pre-purchase to the Digital Deluxe Edition (SRP €59.99), which contains in-game bonuses for World of Warcraft and other Blizzard games.

Warlords of Draenor will also be available in a retail-exclusive Collector’s Edition, which comes equipped with the digital bonus items from the Digital Deluxe Edition as well as a full-color hardcover art book, a behind-the-scenes two-disc Blu-ray/DVD set, a CD soundtrack, and a Warlords of Draenor mouse pad. The Collector’s Edition will be available at select retailers for a suggested retail price of €79.99.

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Hearthstone open beta begins

Hearthstone: Heroes of Warcraft has officially entered its open beta test in Europe. Now anyone who wants to can pull up a chair and try Blizzard’s new free-to-play card game by visiting www.playhearthstone.com.

If you haven’t already checked out what’s new with Hearthstone these days, here are some of the latest features that have gone into the game during the closed beta test:

• New Ranked Play Mode – Ranked play has a new face, with month long seasons and the goal of reaching Rank 1, The Innkeeper.
• Players Near Me Feature – You can now opt-in to seeing other Hearthstone players on your local network in your friends list
• Recently Played Opponent Feature – Your friends list now displays the last person you played against that isn’t already in your Friend’s list, so that you can friend them for future duels

Prepare for the official launch!

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