Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct: Is Warcraft II Remastered On The Horizon?

Get ready for a blast from the past! Blizzard is hosting a special

Warcraft Anniversary Direct

next week on

November 13th

to commemorate the franchise’s monumental 30th anniversary. This digital celebration, broadcast live on Twitch, YouTube, and TikTok, promises to be a nostalgic journey through the history of Warcraft. Expect to see various Warcraft developers reflecting on the franchise’s incredible journey, from its humble beginnings to its current status as a gaming icon. But the real question on everyone’s mind is: what does the future hold for Warcraft?

While Blizzard has confirmed the focus will be on current titles like World of Warcraft, Classic, Hearthstone, and Warcraft Rumble, a recent data leak has ignited a wildfire of excitement among fans. Leaked information from Blizzard’s internal servers reveals the studio is actively testing an internal alpha build of

Warcraft II: Remastered

. With employees playing the game internally, it’s safe to say that an official announcement, and potentially even a release, is on the cards during next week’s anniversary stream.

Think back to 1995 and 1996, the golden age of real-time strategy (RTS) gaming. It was a time when Warcraft II: Tides of Darkness, and its expansion, Warcraft II: Beyond the Dark Portal, took the world by storm on MS-DOS. These games redefined RTS gameplay with their captivating storyline, stunning art direction, immersive sound effects, and thrilling multiplayer experience. They cemented Blizzard’s position as a leading force in PC gaming. Warcraft II’s impact is undeniable, paving the way for iconic titles like StarCraft, Warcraft III’s groundbreaking MOBA mechanics, and the colossal World of Warcraft.

With a remaster on the horizon, we can anticipate a visual experience akin to the beloved StarCraft Remastered, boasting 4K assets and support for modern 16:9 aspect ratios. Imagine revisiting the classic Warcraft II gameplay with stunningly remastered graphics! And just imagine the possibilities of Warcraft II: Remastered joining the Xbox Game Pass library, making it accessible to a whole new generation of gamers.

But the cherry on top would be the addition of new, enhanced cinematics. While Blizzard’s cinematic team has always been renowned for creating breathtaking cutscenes, Warcraft II’s original intro now feels like a relic of the past. Remastered cinematics would breathe new life into the classic, showcasing the iconic story in all its glory with modern visual splendor.

Next week’s anniversary stream promises to be a momentous event for Warcraft fans. Stay tuned, as the possibility of Warcraft II Remastered returning to the spotlight is a reality that has everyone eagerly anticipating the next chapter in this epic saga.