New Blizzard title announcement at next Blizzcon?

Kurush

Howdy.

Well, it has been quite a while since I've posted, but I've been wanting to throw this out there for weeks. Anyway, a bit of background.

Blizzard has multiple teams toiling away. At present, we're fortunate enough to know the nature of most of those teams. We've got the groups working on D3, those on SC2, and I'm sure there are some already developing the next WoW expansion pack.

However, there are teams beyond those whose purpose is a bit more murky. One of them is fairly well-known, those people who are working on Blizzard's "next-gen MMO". On top of that, there is supposedly another team which is currently being formed to develop an entirely new title which is still in the planning stage. Additionally, there is rumored to be a console development team still in play.

Anyhow, looking at the timing of their press releases regarding their upcoming games, or the lack thereof more specifically, it seems to me like they're deliberately creating a press vacuum in which to unleash something big. I highly suspect they're going to drop the name and nature of one of their entirely new titles.

I was fairly confident of it even before the recent rumors surrounding Blizzard securing rights on the name "Cataclysm". With this development in play, I'm even more certain that something big is brewing. However, Blizzard has secured a lot of names that never amounted to much, so we can't be sure this is even related. Many have theorized that Cataclysm is in fact being reserved as the subtitle for the new World of Warcraft expansion pack. I think this is probably the most likely explanation for them grabbing this name.

If they do announce something, I suspect it will take one of two shapes:

1. Their next-gen MMO will finally step into the limelight. I'm guessing this will either be some kind of cyberpunk or steampunk title. With the securing of the name Cataclysm, the possibility of a post-apoc title is also worth mentioning.

2. They will introduce a console-based offering.

Secret Option 3: Some people suspect that the new title they announce will be the next expansion pack for World of Warcraft. If this is the case, then I think they will at least drop some substantive announcement regarding their entirely new titles near the convention's end.

Potentially both could come into play at the same time, I suppose. Blizzard's first true multiplatform release? Maybe.

Now, this is all supposition, but I'm not pulling it entirely out of my ass. I like to follow Blizzard, just for kicks, and this is the third such prediction I've made. The first was when I called the D3 announcement, which was way before the rumors were widely reported by the mainstream gaming press. The second was when I called that they were announcing something when they dropped SC2. I didn't specifically call SC2 that second time, but as I recall, it was one of the possibilities I listed. If you want to look back, both of those posts are likely still here on these boards in my post history.

kakarotrage

I have a feeling they will only hint about the new mmo and not talk about it openly, I  hope I'm wrong though, it's getting pretty boring mmos-in-development wise.

Rayx0r

Im expecting them to announce the next expansion for WoW and keeping tight lipped on the new MMO.  All signs (and rumors) point to a new expansion in 2010.  Expect any MMO lagging behind in population to finally have the nail driven into their coffen.

Next years Blizzcon will reveal the new MMO, but this year the new WoW expansion will take center stage along with Diablo III

coffee

If there is an announcement at BCON it will be the next wow expansion and/or the Arthus patch for WOTLK.  I very much doubt we'll get info on a new project, blizzard like to have LOTS to show when they announce stuff.. look at SC2 and D3.. great movies and game-play, I doubt any of their other projects are that far along.

However as the days go by and with 6 weeks till BCON I am wondering if the SC2 beta will start before BCON and if it does not then maybe the announcement will be the start of the beta.

No doubt they'll announce another class for D3 .. that's 100%

 

GreenChaos

Another Blizzcon and another Diablo 3 class revealed .  I'm so excited I can barely contain myself.