Blizzard Entertainment is one of the leading pioneers in the global esports community. Renowned for developing high-quality, competitive games and hosting top-tier tournaments with prize pools in the millions, Blizzard has consistently set benchmarks in the gaming world. The company’s vision has always been to be the most innovative, scalable, and valuable developer of global competitive esports.
With an impressive catalog that includes legendary titles such as Overwatch, Hearthstone, and World of Warcraft, Blizzard’s impact on the professional gaming scene is undeniable. What follows is a breakdown of their most significant titles, historical context, major esports events, and recent developments as of 2025.
Blizzard Entertainment esports games
Blizzard Entertainment has quite a catalog of games under its product portfolio. Since its inception, Blizzard Entertainment has developed 22 games, with three of them under its former name Silicon & Synapse. Nineteen of the total number of games were developed under Blizzard Entertainment.
Below is the list of games developed by Blizzard Entertainment:
The Death and Return of Superman (1994)
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The Death and Return of Superman is a beat ‘em up video game that was developed based on DC Comic’s “The Death of Superman.” The game was originally released in 1994 and featured many characters from the comics, like Cyberborg Superman, Doomsday, Superboy, and Superman himself.
Warcraft: Orcs & Humans (1994)
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Warcraft: Orcs & Human is a real-time strategy game that was first released for MS-DOS in North America on November 15, 1994, and for Mac OS two years later. The video game was the first release of the famous Warcraft series.
Justice League Task Force (1995)
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Justice League Task Force is a multi-player competitive fighting game that was developed by Blizzard Entertainment and published by Sunsoft in April 1995. It was released for both the Super Nintendo Entertainment System and Sega Genesis.
Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness (1995)
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Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness was the first sequel to the real-time strategy game, Warcraft: Orcs & Humans. It was released on December 9, 1995, for MS-DOS, Mac OS, Sega Saturn, and PlayStation (1997) and in 1999 for Windows operating system. Five expansion packs of the game were released thereafter, including W!Zone (1996), W!Zone II: Retribution (1996), Warcraft II: Battle Chest (1996), Warcraft II: The Dark Saga (1997), and Warcraft II: Battle.net Edition (1999).
Diablo (1997)
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Diablo is an action role-playing game that was self-published by Blizzard Entertainment on January 3, 1997, for Windows, and released in 1998 for Mac OS and Playstation.
The Lost Vikings 2 (1997)
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The Lost Vikings 2 was part of The Lost Vikings series and was released on February 27, 1997, for MS-DOS, Windows, PlayStation, Sega Saturn, and Super Nintendo Entertainment System. The game was also titled Lost Vikings 2: Norse by Norsewest or Norse by Norse West: The Return of Lost Vikings in some versions.
StarCraft (1998)
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StarCraft is a real-time strategy game self-published by Blizzard Entertainment on March 31, 1998, for Windows. The Mac OS and Nintendo versions were released in 1999 and 2000 respectively.
Diablo II (2000)
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Diablo II is part of the Diablo series and was first released on June 29, 2000, for Windows and Mac OS. An extension pack was developed for the action role-playing video game, Diablo II: Lord of Destruction (2001).
Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos (2002)
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Warcraft III: Reign of Chaos, as the name implies is the third sequel of the Warcraft series. The real-time strategy game was released for Windows and Mac OS on July 3, 2002.
World of Warcraft (2004)
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World of Warcraft Arena World Championship (AWS)
World of Warcraft is a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, self-published by Blizzard Entertainment on November 23, 2004, for Windows and Mac OS. Eight expansion packs were developed, including World of Warcraft: The Burning Crusade (2007), World of Warcraft: Wrath of the Lich King (2008), World of Warcraft: Cataclysm (2010), World of Warcraft: Mists of Pandaria (2012), World of Warcraft: Warlords of Draenor (2014), World of Warcraft: Legion (2016), World of Warcraft: Battle for Azeroth (2018), and World of Warcraft: Shadowlands (2020).
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty (2010)
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StarCraft II World Championship Series
StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty is part of the StarCraft esport series and was self-published by Blizzard Entertainment on July 27, 2010, for Windows and Mac OS. Two expansion packs were developed, including Blizzard: StarCraft II: Heart of the Swarm (2013) and StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void (2015) in 2013 and 2015 respectively.
Hearthstone (2014)
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Hearthstone Masters
Hearthstone esports is a digital collectible card game that builds on the lore of the Warcraft series, using its relics and characters. The multi-player video game was released on March 11, 2014, for Windows, Mac OS, iOS, and Android.
Heroes of the Storm (2015)
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Heroes of the Storm is a crossover multiplayer online battle arena game self-published by Blizzard Entertainment on June 2, 2015, for Windows and Mac OS.
Overwatch (2016)
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Overwatch League
Overwatch World Cup
OWL Countdown Cup
Overwatch esports is a first-person shooter video game that was self-published by Blizzard Entertainment for Windows, PlayStation 4, and Xbox One on May 24, 2016. It was also released for Nintendo Switch in 2019.
Warcraft III: Reforged (2020)
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Warcraft III: Reforged is a full visual and UI overhaul of the beloved RTS classics Reign of Chaos and The Frozen Throne. Featuring redone cinematics, upgraded character models, and integration with the modern Battle.net system, it revived the iconic storylines of Arthas, Thrall, and Illidan for a new generation. Despite its initial backlash, it remains a go-to platform for custom games and classic RTS modding communities..
Blizzard Arcade Collection (2021)
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This nostalgic bundle includes remastered versions of The Lost Vikings, Rock ‘N’ Roll Racing, and RPM Racing, three foundational titles from Blizzard’s early years as Silicon & Synapse. Players can toggle between original and enhanced editions with added modern conveniences like rewinding gameplay, saving progress, and exploring historical concept art. It stands as a tribute to Blizzard’s creative roots and retro arcade spirit.
Diablo Immortal (2022)
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Diablo Immortal is the most recent sequel to the Diable series as it was released on June 2, 2022. The action role-playing video game will be released on iOS and Android in the nearest future.
Overwatch 2 (2022)
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Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS)
Overwatch 2 is Blizzard’s upgraded, live-service hero shooter that builds upon the foundation of its predecessor with new modes, streamlined 5v5 team play, seasonal events, and evolving narrative arcs. It introduced new heroes like Sojourn, Junker Queen, and Ramattra, and made PvE cooperative missions part of the experience. In the competitive space, it replaced the Overwatch League with the Overwatch Champions Series (OWCS), ushering in a more open, community-focused global esports model.
Diablo IV (2023)
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Ladder PvP
Seasonal Competitions
Hardcore Race Events
Diablo IV returns the franchise to its sinister roots with a dark, immersive open world, a gothic storyline, and brutal combat across five distinct character classes. With a live seasonal structure, each new arc introduces fresh gameplay mechanics—such as vampiric powers or elemental corruption—as well as world bosses, nightmare dungeons, and high-tier loot grinds. The game’s competitive backbone includes Hardcore ladders, PvP zones like the Fields of Hatred, and community-driven race events.
Major Events: Ladder PvP, Seasonal Competitions, Hardcore Race Events
Warcraft Rumble (2023)
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Warcraft Rumble is a mobile strategy title that brings the iconic Warcraft characters into a colorful, fast-paced tower defense format. Players collect and upgrade miniature versions of popular heroes and villains to battle in both PvE campaigns and competitive PvP arenas. With frequent content updates and seasonal leaderboards, it has carved out a space for casual strategy fans within Blizzard’s mobile ecosystem.
Diablo IV: Vessel of Hatred (2024)
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TBA (PvP and seasonal tournament content expected)
Vessel of Hatred is the first major expansion for Diablo IV, continuing the main storyline beyond the base campaign and deepening the game’s dark, foreboding atmosphere. Set in the lush but treacherous jungles of Nahantu—an iconic region last seen in Diablo II—the expansion introduces a brand-new playable class never before featured in the series, offering a fresh take on combat and class fantasy. Players face off against twisted new enemies and encounter corrupted factions tied to Mephisto, one of the Prime Evils.
Hearthstone: The Shrouded City (2025)
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TBA
An upcoming expansion set to introduce mysterious new elements and cards to the game. Expected to shake up the meta with innovative mechanics.
World of Warcraft: Midnight (Upcoming)
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TBA
The second chapter in the Worldsoul Saga, set to continue the epic narrative introduced in The War Within. Details remain limited, but it’s anticipated to expand on the game’s rich lore and introduce new gameplay elements.
As Silicon & Synapse
Before the name change to Blizzard Entertainment, the following games were created under its previous name Silicon & Synapse.
RPM Racing
RPM Racing is a racing game that was first released in November 1991. It was a remake of the Racing Destruction Set originally made by Electronic Arts in 1985.
The Lost Vikings
The Lost Vikings is a puzzle platform game that was originally released in the company’s second year of existence (1992). The side-scrolling platform adventure allows players to alternate control of three Vikings. Players will guide each of the characters from the start point to finish in each level.
Rock ‘N’ Roll Racing
Rock ‘N’ Roll Racing is yet another racing game created under Silicon & Synapse that was originally intended to be a sequel to RPM Racing. It was first released on June 4, 1993, remastered, and published in 2021 as part of the Blizzard Arcade Collection.
Upcoming Blizzard Entertainment esports releases
There are, however, several upcoming Blizzard titles and expansions currently in development, though many have no confirmed release date. These projects reflect Blizzard Entertainment’s continued commitment to expanding its major franchises with fresh narratives, innovative mechanics, and immersive worlds.
Proposed upcoming titles and expansions from Blizzard Entertainment include:
Future Diablo IV Expansion
Following Vessel of Hatred, additional expansions are anticipated as part of Blizzard’s ongoing seasonal and narrative roadmap. These are expected to introduce new regions, additional classes, and deeper world-building tied to the Eternal Conflict.
World of Warcraft: Midnight
The second installment in the Worldsoul Saga, following The War Within. Details are still emerging, but it is expected to further unravel the cosmic threats facing Azeroth and deepen player engagement with new zones, dungeons, and systems.
World of Warcraft: The Last Titan
Positioned as the final chapter of the Worldsoul Saga, this future expansion promises to bring an epic conclusion to years of evolving Warcraft lore. It is expected to explore themes of ancient power, betrayal, and cosmic fate, possibly involving the Titans themselves.
Hearthstone: The Shrouded City (2025)
A mysterious upcoming expansion for Hearthstone, rumored to introduce unique mechanics tied to fog, stealth, and area manipulation. It will likely shake up the competitive meta and feature brand-new card archetypes.
Unannounced New IP
While Blizzard has not officially confirmed a title, job postings and internal reports suggest a survival-based, action-adventure game in a brand-new universe is in development. This would mark the studio’s first original IP in over a decade.
Blizzard Entertainment major events
Blizzard Entertainment remains at the forefront of global esports, hosting some of the most prestigious tournaments across multiple franchises. These events feature massive prize pools, international participation, and dedicated fanbases that continue to grow year after year. Below are some of the most significant esports competitions and circuits currently shaping the Blizzard esports calendar in 2025:
- Previously known as the Overwatch League, the Overwatch Champions Series is Blizzard’s revamped global esports structure for Overwatch 2. Launched in 2024, OWCS moves away from the original franchise-based model and embraces open competition with regional qualifiers, live LAN events, and a full-year roadmap. The competition is divided into three major stages: regional qualifiers, mid-season majors, and global championships. It features teams from North America, EMEA, Asia, and South America. This shift in format has reinvigorated the competitive Overwatch scene, allowing new talent to emerge while still spotlighting legacy rosters from the original OWL era.
- Held annually at BlizzCon, the Overwatch World Cup brings together national teams from across the globe in a celebration of competitive pride and global fandom. First launched in 2016, the tournament has delivered many iconic moments, including South Korea’s early dominance and the United States’ breakthrough win in 2019. After a brief hiatus due to the pandemic, the World Cup returned in 2023 with an updated format and continues to be one of the most anticipated events on the Blizzard calendar. With passionate crowds, global storylines, and high-stakes national showdowns, the World Cup is a unique spectacle in the esports world.
- The StarCraft II World Championship Series may have ended in 2020, but Blizzard’s support continues through the (EPT), now the premier competitive structure for the iconic RTS title. Operated by ESL and DreamHack and financially backed by Blizzard, the EPT features regional tournaments, online qualifiers, and international finals that sustain StarCraft II as one of the longest-standing esports. With regular events in Korea, Europe, and North America, the tour remains a proving ground for elite strategy, micromanagement, and timeless rivalry among top players.
- The World of Warcraft Arena World Championship (AWC) remains Blizzard’s premier competitive PvP event for its legendary MMORPG. Now in its 15th year, the AWC pits North America’s and Europe’s best 3v3 Arena teams against each other in seasonal circuits and year-end global finals. With intense skirmishes, class-based metas, and dramatic comebacks, the AWC captures the complexity and skill ceiling of competitive WoW. It stands as a testament to the game’s long-standing community and Blizzard’s commitment to high-level competition within one of the world’s most enduring online titles.
Blizzard Entertainment history
Blizzard Entertainment prides itself in being an American video game publisher located in Irvine, California. While the parent company, Activision Blizzard’s history dates back more than 40 years, Blizzard Entertainment was founded in 1991.
Blizzard was initially known as Silicon & Synapse and was founded by three UCLA graduates; Michael Morhaime, Allen Adham, and Frank Pearce. All three founders Of Blizzard Entertainment were interested in electronic gaming and as such, the company’s early offerings involved the conversion of existing gaming titles for personal computer systems.
The company, however, created and released a few of its original titles, such as The Lost Vikings, which was first released in 1992, and Rock ‘N’ Roll Racing (1993). A change of name was effected in 1993, the company became Chaos Studios Inc.
But shortly before the release of what became its flagship product, Warcraft: Orcs & Humans in 1994, the company’s name suffered yet another change to Blizzard Entertainment after being acquired by the distributor Davidson & Associates. In 1995, going by the success of the title, a sequel was released, Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness. The sequel was a graphical expansion of the original with a number of improvements implemented.
Blizzard Entertainment has since then developed a massively multiplayer online role-playing game, World of Warcraft (WoW), multi-million selling video game franchises such as Diablo, StarCraft, and Overwatch, alongside several Warcraft sequels. The games are operated via an online gaming service, Battle.net.
In 2008, Blizzard Entertainment merged with Activision Inc. to form Activision Blizzard. Aside from the development, and distribution of video games on mobile devices, game consoles, and personal computers, the company is also involved in the organization of esports leagues, alongside the sales of digital advertising and in-game content.
Blizzard Entertainment ownership and stock prices
Blizzard Entertainment is a public traded company under Activision Blizzard Inc. (ATVI) on the NASDAQ. In the last fiscal year ending December 30, 2021, the brand generated a 29.83% profit margin.
The largest shareholder of Activision Blizzard is Berkshire Hathaway Inc., with an 8.23% stake in the company. The Vanguard Group Inc are closely behind with a stake of 7.73% and BlackRock Fund Advisors at 5.00%.
As of July, 2022, ATVI traded at US$77.15 per share with a $0.92 increase from its closing position on July 14. Over the last four weeks, the company gained 1.18% but experienced a 15.92% fall in price over the last year.
How to bet on Blizzard Entertainment esports games
Blizzard Entertainment are the creators of some of the biggest esports games on the planet, with these including Overwatch and World of Warcraft. Esports betting sites will launch odds well in advance of all of the major Blizzard Entertainment events, while there will also be head to head odds for many of the biggest matches. Generally there will only be markets available at bookies if it is a professional Blizzard-backed esports tournament or league. Most of the top online bookie sites have also got esports betting apps available, which is a very convenient way to bet on Blizzard Entertainment esports games. The best betting sites for Blizzard Entertainment esports are:
