# Blizzard Entertainment Marks 30 Years of Warcraft: Major Highlights from the Anniversary Livestream
Blizzard Entertainment has recently commemorated the 30th anniversary of its legendary *Warcraft* franchise with a three-hour livestream event. This celebration served as both a nostalgic journey and a platform for revealing thrilling updates and future directions for the series. The event showcased everything from remastered classics to new expansions, underscoring the lasting impact of *Warcraft* and its dedicated community. Below is a comprehensive summary of the significant announcements and updates from the livestream.
## Warcraft I and II Remastered: The Origins Reimagined
One of the standout highlights was the unveiling of remastered editions of *Warcraft: Orcs & Humans* and *Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness*. These classic titles, which set the groundwork for the *Warcraft* universe, are being revitalized with contemporary upgrades.
Players will have the ability to toggle between original and remastered graphics, enabling them to enjoy the classic gameplay with enhanced visuals. The remastered editions also feature refined controls, enhancing the gaming experience for today’s players.
A particularly thrilling element is the revival of *Warcraft II*’s **multiplayer mode**, which will fully accommodate custom maps from the initial game. This will enable players to experience the legendary confrontations between humans and orcs in a fresh format, while also welcoming newcomers to the classic strategy gameplay.
## Warcraft III: Reforged – A Major Update
*Warcraft III: Reforged*, which has faced various challenges since its launch, received a noteworthy update during the anniversary stream. The latest patch brings refined lighting effects, high-definition graphics, and an upgraded user interface, responding to several player criticisms.
Players can also alternate between classic and high-resolution visuals, offering choice in their gaming experience. Furthermore, the update delivers adjustable hotkeys and an enhanced ranking system, providing players with a more modern and balanced competitive environment.
## World of Warcraft: “The War Within” and Classic Updates
The *World of Warcraft* portion of the livestream delivered exciting news for both retail and classic gamers. The new expansion, *The War Within*, promises thrilling adventures and unexplored territories. A key destination is **Siren Isle**, where players will undertake an epilogue questline. Another significant locale is the goblin city of **Lorenhall**, a politically charged environment that will feature the new dungeon, *Operation: Lock*, alongside the raid, *Liberation of Lorenhall*.
For *WoW Classic* enthusiasts, Blizzard announced the arrival of *Cataclysm Classic*, along with plans for *Mists of Pandaria Classic*, scheduled to debut in 2025. Additionally, a special anniversary edition of *WoW Classic* will introduce fresh realms that will recreate the early stages of the game, giving players an opportunity to relive the original *World of Warcraft* journey.
## Warcraft Rumble and Community Incentives
*Warcraft Rumble*, Blizzard’s mobile strategy title, celebrated its first anniversary during the livestream. In honor of this milestone, the game has introduced daily rewards and new playable dual leaders, including **Sylvanas Windrunner**, who can alternate between the Horde and the Undead factions.
Alongside these in-game updates, Blizzard announced that the PC beta of *Warcraft Rumble* will launch in December, providing players their first taste of the game’s dynamic gameplay on desktop platforms.
Blizzard also shared that community participants can earn exclusive rewards for the *Warcraft* titles by viewing Twitch and TikTok streams related to the franchise. This initiative aims to deepen community engagement and express appreciation for devoted fans.
## Hearthstone and StarCraft Crossover
In an unexpected announcement, Blizzard revealed a crossover between *Hearthstone* and *StarCraft*. Scheduled for release in January 2025, the special *Hearthstone* expansion will feature **Zerg**, **Protoss**, and **Terran** characters, each contributing unique mechanics to the card game. Players can anticipate iconic *StarCraft* figures like **Sarah Kerrigan**, **Artanis**, and **Jim Raynor** making their appearances.
Additionally, *Hearthstone*’s **Arena mode** is set to experience its first significant update in ten years. The mode will now be divided into two formats: a shorter Arena and the **Underground Arena**, where players can adjust their decks after a loss, introducing a new strategic element to the game.
## Diablo IV: “Vessel of Hatred” Update and its Connection to Warcraft
Blizzard also made intriguing connections between the *Warcraft* universe and *Diablo IV* during the livestream. The forthcoming *Diablo IV* update, titled **Vessel of Hatred**, will