Blizzard fans were left shocked recently when it was revealed that the gaming giant reportedly missed out on multiple Netflix adaptations for some of its biggest franchises. According to Bloomberg reporter Jason Schreier, Blizzard’s legal dispute with Netflix over poaching their Chief Financial Officer was the reason behind the sudden cancellation of planned series based on StarCraft, Overwatch, and Diablo.
What Happened?
In 2019, Blizzard’s then-Chief Financial Officer, Spencer Neumann, was fired for breaching his contract by leaving to join Netflix. This led to Blizzard suing Netflix, which, as Schreier revealed in a Reddit AMA while promoting his book Play Nice: The Rise, Fall, and Future of Blizzard Entertainment, may have been the primary reason why Netflix canceled the planned adaptations.
Fans are now reeling from the revelation, especially those hoping for an Overwatch series. Given the success of the game’s animated shorts, which offer deep dives into the characters’ backstories, an animated series on Netflix could have taken the Overwatch universe to a whole new level.
What Could Have Been: StarCraft, Diablo, and Overwatch
- Overwatch: With its diverse cast and action-packed storylines, Overwatch is practically begging for an animated series. The game’s existing shorts are a hit among fans, offering tantalizing glimpses into the lives of heroes like Tracer, Genji, and Winston. Imagine the storytelling possibilities if that was expanded on Netflix.
- StarCraft: The sci-fi epic known for its groundbreaking cutscenes and intense intergalactic conflict would have been a dream come true for fans of the series. StarCraft could have rivaled the best space operas on Netflix. With its deep lore, fierce alien races, and iconic battles, the series would have added another feather to Netflix’s cap of gaming adaptations.
- Diablo: Known for its dark, gothic atmosphere, Diablo could have made for an eerie, binge-worthy show. The hack-and-slash franchise, currently riding high on the success of Diablo 4, would have had the perfect ingredients for a dark fantasy series, complete with hordes of demons, epic battles, and gripping drama.
Why Was Warcraft Left Out?
One franchise noticeably absent from Schreier’s revelations was Warcraft. The 2016 CGI-heavy Warcraft movie, though initially a box office hit, didn’t receive enough fanfare to lead to a sequel. However, with World of Warcraft continuing to dominate the MMORPG landscape, it’s intriguing to think about what an updated Netflix version might have looked like.
What’s Next for Blizzard?
Despite these setbacks, Blizzard fans still have plenty to look forward to. Diablo 4’s first expansion, Vessel of Hatred, is coming soon, while Overwatch 2 continues to evolve. Additionally, StarCraft: Remastered and StarCraft 2 hit Xbox Game Pass in November, offering new ways to experience these beloved games.
With ongoing developments in the StarCraft franchise (including rumors of another StarCraft shooter), Blizzard remains one of gaming’s titans, despite the missed opportunity with Netflix.
Want to hear more about this and other Blizzard news? Be sure to tune into the next episode of Geek Freaks where we’ll be diving into all the latest industry updates and what’s next for your favorite Blizzard franchises. Listen here: Geek Freaks Podcast.
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