Activision Blizzard is approaching BlizzCon 2021. There is much reason to believe that new mobile games related to Warcraft will be showcased there, as Activision Blizzard has several multiplayer free-to-play mobile games based on Warcraft in development. A WoW mobile game is probably not to be expected, but we look at MeinMMO to see what these new games could look like.
Why does one believe that Blizzard will showcase mobile games? There is a clear statement from Bobby Kotick, the CEO of Activision Blizzard. In an investor call on February 4, 2021, Kotick said:
We have created several multiplayer mobile free-to-play games for Warcraft, which are already far into development and based on the beloved game series. They will offer opportunities to experience the Warcraft universe anew, both for current players and for new fans.
Bobby Kotick
It is therefore certain that mobile games related to Warcraft will be coming. The question is no longer if they will come, but only when they will arrive. BlizzCon 2021 is an ideal time to present the games.
This is not a new development: We have known since at least April 2017 from job postings that Blizzard is working on mobile games. Blizzard has long emphasized how seriously they take mobile games.
We want to introduce you to 3 ideas on what new mobile games related to Warcraft could look like. These are not official information, but speculations.
Warcraft Heroes – a hero-collection game
This is the idea: A sort of action MMO for mobile with an RPG aspect. In Warcraft Heroes, there are many heroes from the Warcraft franchise such as Thrall, Jaina, young Arthas, or Sylvanas. They undertake missions, level up, and gain experience points.
The player always controls only one hero from a team of 3 characters, but can switch to other heroes at will.
The player collects more and more heroes over time and can assemble a team for each mission. Each hero has specific abilities with cooldowns and an “ultimate” ability with visually impressive effects.
The hero also looks more powerful as they level up. The young, frail Arthas evolves into a mighty knight and perhaps even further beyond that.
The missions are linear side-scrollers: new enemies appear continuously and at the end of an instance, a boss that you know from WoW awaits.
This is the appeal of the game: The idea is to engage the player’s collector instinct. Because they want to possess all the heroes and equip them optimally. The missions are designed in such a way that a wide roster is needed: While a hero like Baine Bloodhoof is great against lightly armored foes, for heavily armored enemies, one would be better off with a mage, as they are susceptible to fire.
The toughest challenges in the game are tactically demanding boss fights, of which you must tackle several in a row with a team. They require the player to have high dexterity and a well-equipped and highly bred team of heroes.
In such games, tier lists and complex upgrade systems often arise to optimize the heroes. These games are so deep that even hardcore gamers and theorycraft nerds can be satisfied with them.
However, such “free-to-play multiplayer” games often have an intrusive cash shop, and they are accused of being pay-to-win.
What is the template? The template for such a “hero collection game” is some of the most successful mobile games in the world. These games are also called “gacha” games:
- In South Korea, Netmarble has a game with Marvel superheroes as “Marvel Future Fight”
- Fate/Grand Order is very successful in Japan with a similar approach
- “Genshin Impact” has taken many aspects of such a hero-collection game. This is also a gacha game.
How likely is that? This is a formula for a game that is extremely successful and tested in Asia. Here in the West, these concepts are still relatively new. Fortnite tried something similar in 2017 with “Fortnite: Save the World”, but failed.
However, such games have – rightly so – an image problem. Blizzard would have to be careful with the cash shop.
If Blizzard creates such a game and enriches it with its own ideas, it would probably be a license to print money. However, the actual game principle would be close to Diablo Immortal in terms of action gameplay.
Warcraft Royale – A modern strategy game
This is the idea: In this game, two players compete against each other on a fixed map: The map consists of three battle lanes equipped with towers. Each player has a fortress that they must protect. If this fortress is destroyed, the player loses.
The player uses cards to bring units or magical effects onto the map: The troops then march to engage the opponent. Players assemble their cards and units in forms of decks before a match. You can only play cards if you have gathered enough resources. You have to wait relatively long for the strongest units, while weak units can be deployed quickly.
The units and effects are taken from the Warcraft franchise: There are axe throwers, catapults, ogre mages, and gryphon riders.
This is the appeal of the game: These are tactical, intense rounds that only last between 3 and 5 minutes. The key is to manage your resources properly and always have an answer to the opponent’s attacks.
The game seems simple at first glance but is difficult to master and deep. The “Rock, Paper, Scissors” principle applies, and winning is incredibly satisfying, but losing is awful.
These are the templates for the game: This is “Clash Royale” and its variants. Clash Royale was released in 2016 and is an extremely successful mobile game by Supercell.
How likely is that? It is a must that some form of “mobile strategy game” comes to Warcraft because it caters to the “old” PC players.
The question is what such a game will look like: A “Clash Royale” variant would be quite far from the old real-time strategy game and would likely attract a lot of mockery and memes towards Blizzard. They would need to handle it well.
Warcraft Go – Catch them all
This is the idea: It is an “augmented reality” game. People walk around in the real world with their phones and see figures from Warcraft. They can interact with these familiar NPCs and convince them to join their team, either through force or bribery.
The figures have individual stats that can vary. The RPG aspect is more pronounced than in similar games: You can also equip the figures. It is naturally possible to trade figures with other players.
You can engage in battles with the figures against other players, but also against powerful NPC bosses in the world. Blizzard innovatively calls them “raid bosses.”
The appeal of the game: The appeal lies clearly in the collecting and trading aspect. There are particularly rare heroes that you can only find at certain events or only in specific regions.
Moreover, new heroes regularly enter the game, and Blizzard continually comes up with new features.
Are there templates? Pokémon GO serves as a template, one of the most successful games in the world.
How likely is that? This is much more likely than it seems at first glance. Since November 2018 we know that Blizzard is crazy about Pokémon GO: The large orc statue on Blizzard’s campus is like an arena.
In an insider report, it was mentioned that Blizzard was working on such a game and had it even in a “playable state,” but wanted to stand out more from Pokémon GO and emphasize single-player aspects.
If Blizzard implements one of the concepts, it will probably be done skillfully enough so that not everyone immediately shouts, “That’s just a copy!”
Blizzard will certainly face some competition:
