Blizzard Unveils 2026 Showcase Schedule, Including ‘Overwatch,’ ‘Diablo,’ ‘World of Warcraft’ Reveals (Gaming News Roundup)

Blizzard Entertainment unveiled the schedule for its 2026 showcase, a multi-part series of developer-led livestreams that will deliver major announcements and updates across the company’s flagship franchises, including “World of Warcraft,” “Overwatch,” “Hearthstone” and “Diablo.” Rolling out from late January through mid-February, the presentations double as a celebration of Blizzard’s 35th anniversary and will offer an early look ahead to the long-awaited return of BlizzCon, set for September.

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The showcase will consist of four franchise-specific spotlights streamed on Blizzard’s YouTube and Twitch channels, beginning Jan. 29 with the “World of Warcraft: State of Azeroth” presentation, followed by dedicated events for “Overwatch,” “Hearthstone” and “Diablo.” Each livestream is expected to include new game announcements, future roadmap details and commentary from Blizzard’s development teams, underscoring what the company describes as a pivotal year for its portfolio.

“Our extraordinarily talented teams have assembled a stellar lineup for our players across our universes,” Blizzard Entertainment president Johanna Faries said in a statement. She described the showcase as arriving at a “significant moment in time” as Blizzard reflects on more than three decades of history while laying out its ambitions for the future, adding that the presentations represent “only the start” of what the company plans to share in the year ahead.

Blizzard also released a commemorative video, “Blizzard: The Next Chapter,” alongside the announcement. The piece looks back at the studio’s history through roughly 400 artifacts pulled from Blizzard’s physical archives, highlighting key releases and moments from the company’s 35-year legacy while positioning the showcase and BlizzCon’s return as part of its next era.

NEWLY ANNOUNCED GAMES

Bandai Namco Entertainment Inc. has announced a new “Dragon Ball” game project titled “Age 1000,” revealing an original setting and characters created by franchise creator Akira Toriyama. The project was unveiled during the “Dragon Ball Genkidamatsuri” event and is currently slated for release in 2027.

According to Bandai Namco, “Age 1000” will introduce a completely new “Dragon Ball” world populated by original characters designed by Toriyama, expanding the long-running franchise beyond its existing timelines. A reveal trailer debuted alongside the announcement, featuring the first look at a never-before-seen character created specifically for the project.

Additional details about “Age 1000” will be shared during Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour 2026, which will take place April 18–19 in Los Angeles. The annual fan event, now in its sixth year, is positioned as a major showcase for the franchise across games, cards and competitive play.

This year’s Dragon Ball Games Battle Hour will feature a special announcement stage, along with tournaments for titles including “Dragon Ball FighterZ,” “Dragon Ball Super Card Game Masters,” “Dragon Ball Super Card Game Fusion World” and its digital counterpart. The event will also include hands-on exhibits for multiple “Dragon Ball” games, including “Dragon Ball Gekishin Squadra” and “Dragon Ball: Sparking! Zero,” as well as merchandise and fan experiences.

Bandai Namco has not yet disclosed platforms or gameplay details for “Age 1000,” with further information expected during the April showcase.