In May 2022, Blizzard revealed the first full-fledged mobile game in theWarcraftuniverse.Warcraft: Arclight Rumblewas going to bring the series back to its strategy roots with a veryClash Royale-esque style. It was supposed to be the first majorWarcraftspin-off since 2014, and players were able to pre-register for it the minute it was announced. While it is still supposedly on the way, Blizzard has not really done anything with it since its reveal.
Besides a closed beta in 2022, there has really not been much news aboutWarcraft: Arclight Rumble. There were some screenshots released in late November, and the only thing since has been a behind-the-scenes interview with senior animator Carin Huurnink. There is a significant lack of marketing and news surrounding the game, and it feels like it has just vanished into the shadows. It is supposed to be this huge newWarcraftexperience, but no one seems to be talking about it.
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Warcraft: Arclight Rumble Seems to Have Vanished
Warcraft: Arclight Rumblewas announced last May, and the fanbase was weary about what Blizzard would deliver. While it was the studio’s first major mobile game, and it was set in the same universe as a popular franchise,Diablo: Immortalwas met with immense controversyover its microtransaction model. Players were not super enthusiastic about aWarcraftmobile game, and the reveal trailer did not help very much. It looked like aClash Royaleclone with aWarcraftskin, but the studio promised so much more. However, it has not really shown anything more.
Blizzard could have tried easingWarcraftfans' worries about this project by releasing more gameplay footage, more behind-the-scenes interviews, and a more in-depth look at what is in store. Instead, a select few got a hands-on preview of the game and there was aWarcraft: Arclight Rumbleclosed beta in 2022. Since November, the studio has not shown off anything more fromWarcraft: Arclight Rumble. There was an interview in March, but that did little to build any sort of hype.
It currently feels likeWarcraft: Arclight Rumblehas been pushed off to the side in favor of Blizzard’s other titles. The studio has beenbuilding hype forDiablo 4, it has been releasing a steady stream of content forWorld of Warcraft, and it has been steadily updatingOverwatch 2. Those three titles seem to be where Blizzard’s main focus is, and it seems to have forgotten about its upcoming mobile title. While things may change in the next couple of months, it currently feels likeWarcraft: Arclight Rumblehas been left to gather dust.
Warcraft: Arclight Rumbleis supposed to be this big expansion of theWarcraftbrand for mobile platforms. It will be the start of Blizzard’s plan toexpand theWarcraftfranchisein new ways and will be bringing the series back to its RTS roots. It may be just another mobile game, but it is also the first newWarcraftgame since 2014’sHearthstone. WhileDiablo: Immortalmay have garnered a bit of controversy,Warcraft: Arclight Rumblecould have been Blizzard’s chance to rectify those mistakes. That is why it is strange that the studio has chosen not to market it, but maybe it has some underlying reason for that.
Players can still pre-register forWarcraft: Arclight Rumble, and maybe more news will come out as a possible release date nears. The game has not beencanceled like the plannedWorld of Warcraftmobile spin-offwas, but it kind of feels like it was. It is hard for a studio to get players hyped for a game if the said studio does not talk about the game in any fashion for months.
Warcraft: Arclight Rumbleis currently in development for mobile.
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