Rumors that a classic ‘Warcraft’ game is getting a big remaster reveal begintotakeform

Rumors that a classic 'Warcraft' game is getting a big remaster reveal begintotakeform

What you need to know

  • Artwork for a possible Warcraft 2 Remastered edition has seemingly been leaked on Blizzard Entertainment’s internal servers.
  • These leaked images are likely indicating that Blizzard Entertainment plans to announce Warcraft 2: Remastered at the upcoming Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct livesteam event which is set go live on November 13, 2024.
  • Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness is a critically real-time strategy game released in 1995 that revolutionized the series with new gameplay mechanics and expanded lore that would help set the stage for Blizzard Entertainment’s iconic MMORPG, World of Warcraft.

As a long-time enthusiast of the Warcraft universe, I can hardly contain my excitement at the prospect of Warcraft 2: Remastered making a triumphant return. Having grown up with the original game, I vividly remember the countless hours spent strategizing and battling it out in the realm of Azeroth. The thought that this classic could be reimagined for modern gaming is nothing short of exhilarating!


6th November, 2024, I, an ardent World of Warcraft enthusiast, stumbled upon a breathtaking find on WoWhead – hints of a remastered version of the iconic game, Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness. It appears these intriguing pieces of key artwork and logos were discovered within Blizzard Entertainment’s Content Delivery Network. Exciting times ahead for us fans!

Over time, the artwork has been widely shared across the internet by numerous users such as @Stiven_SRB among others. This spread of the art piece has led many to believe that Warcraft 2: Remastered may soon be officially unveiled, potentially as part of Warcraft’s 30th Anniversary Direct stream scheduled for November 13, 2024.

If you’re not already familiar, Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness was the second strategy game in the Warcraft series, released before it evolved into the massive multiplayer online role-playing game (MMORPG) we now recognize as World of Warcraft.

1995’s groundbreaking release introduced numerous gameplay innovations to the franchise, including simultaneous control of multiple units, the Fog-of-War mechanic (a veil obscuring rival forces until they were close), the addition of naval and airborne units, new structures for construction, fresh resources for harvesting, and the series’ inaugural map editor.

Furthermore, Warcraft 2’s narrative significantly enriched the universe of Warcraft by introducing numerous novel ideas, personalities, and motifs that would endure as defining elements of the series for years. For instance, it introduced the Alliance and Horde (previously known as the ‘Orcish Horde in Warcraft 1), two factions that would become central to the franchise. It also unveiled Deathwing, the Dark Portal, Medivh, and a host of other influential elements.

Apart from the clear branding, the mentioned leaked art appears linked to Warcraft 2 because it shows a naval clash between the Alliance and Horde fractions, which were key attractions in the original game, contributing significantly to its popularity.

While it’s important to note that this alleged leak might not be entirely accurate. It could stem from a canceled project or simply be rejected by Blizzard Entertainment for Warcraft 2: Remastered. As of now, Blizzard has remained silent about these leaks. If the leak proves authentic, we’ll have to wait until the upcoming Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct for any official confirmation.

Will the Tides of Darkness indeed make a glorious return to celebrate Warcraft’s 30th Anniversary?

Many enthusiasts view Warcraft 2: Tides of Darkness (alongside its expansion Beyond the Dark Portal) as one of the best Real-Time Strategy (RTS) games ever created, and a top PC game from the ’90s. People adored it so much that they yearned for a contemporary remake to such an extent that fans recreated Warcraft 2’s Horde campaign using Warcraft 3: Reforged’s engine. Thus, the prospect of Blizzard releasing an official remaster of Warcraft 2 will undoubtedly elicit excitement among most fans… and some trepidation as well.

In the past, Blizzard Entertainment’s remaster project, Warcraft 3: Reforged, received harsh criticism from both critics and fans due to its absence of several features like Custom Campaigns and multiplayer game modes, a multitude of technical issues at launch, and a compulsion to update the original Warcraft 3 on Battle.Net into Warcraft 3: Reforged, preventing players from purchasing the original version. However, there’s hope for Blizzard’s real-time strategy games in the future.

Microsoft, now the owner of Warcraft, has demonstrated significant backing for the Real-Time Strategy (RTS) genre. The World Edge studio, under Microsoft’s wing, has breathed new life into Age of Empires II and is pushing forward with Age of Empires IV, both receiving frequent content updates. Moreover, they have recently released Age of Empires Mythology Retold, which significantly improves upon the original version compared to Warcraft 3 Reforged’s previous attempt at remastering. Additionally, Microsoft has recently added StarCraft I and II to PC Game Pass.

If Warcraft 2: Remastered is indeed real and gets announced during the Warcraft 30th Anniversary Direct, the question remains: Will it experience a similar situation as Warcraft 3: Reforged or will Blizzard Entertainment heed their past lessons and dedicate sufficient time to deliver a fitting, contemporary update for Warcraft 2 that meets fan expectations?

We will have to tune in next week and watch Warcraft’s 30th Anniversary Direct to find out.

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2024-11-06 18:09