Blizzard's "Heroes of the Storm" finally has been confirmed to be slated for release this Jun. 2. The free-to-play team brawler will also have a short open beta period starting May 19.
"Heroes of the Storm" has gained its fair share of players since early last year. These gamers have been playing either the technical alpha or closed beta of the game. The hype before the game's launch will conclude on Jun. 1. This is the time when Blizzard's live-streamed event in London, to celebrate the game's release, will take place.
"With its focus on team play and fast-paced fun, Heroes of the Storm is a fresh take on a very popular genre. We've built Heroes of the Storm in a way that makes it accessible to new players, but also challenging enough for veterans who really want to put their skills to the test," Mike Morhaime, Blizzard CEO and co-founder, said.
"We can't wait to see what Heroes brings to the co-op and competitive scenes once the Nexus opens up to everyone."
The game will have seven battlegrounds and more than 30 playable characters, which are from Blizzard's various franchises ("StarCraft," "WarCraft" and "Diablo"). The game pits them in five-on-five team battles in "the Nexus," which also has familiar locations from the different games.
Characters may be unlocked through playing the game or purchasing them, although, some cosmetic upgrades can only be unlocked by paying for them. More characters and battlegrounds will reportedly be added after the game's launch.
ESPN2 will air the Grand Finals of its collegiate tournament for "Heroes of the Storm" at 9:30 p.m. EST on Apr. 26. The top two teams in the "Heroes of the Dorm" competition will battle for the prize.
Pro-gaming or e-sports, with its advertising and ticket sales among others, will make around $465 million by 2017 as predicted by analysts. The "Heroic Four" event being aired on ESPN2 will give millions of people the chance to watch a pro-gaming event live.
