In February of 2022, Blizzard confirmed that a mobile game based on “World of Warcraft” was in development and will be released later this year. In the meanwhile, “Diablo Immortal,” which was also developed in collaboration with NetEase, continues to make waves. Since its release in June 2022, the game has turned out to be a success. SensorTower notes that the game has already brought in $100 million within a couple of months.
How the cancellation of a “World of Warcraft” mobile game pans out for the partnership between Blizzard and NetEase remains to be seen. In February of 2021, Blizzard’s disgraced CEO Bobby Kotick confirmed that “multiple” free-to-play mobile games based on the hit franchise were being actively developed. The fate of those projects also remains unclear.
Given the rise of mobile gaming in the past few years and the success of titles like “Fortnite Mobile,” “Call of Duty: Mobile,” and “PUBG Mobile” that have spurred their own competitive esports communities, it is no surprise that Blizzard wants a piece of the pie. With a beloved franchise like “World of Warcraft” in its hands, the opportunity is hard to ignore.
