The protoss armada has arrived and is ready to reclaim Aiur. Blizzard Entertainment today announced that StarCraft® II: Legacy of the Void, the highly anticipated third game in its acclaimed StarCraft II real-time strategy series, has warped in to the online Battle.net® Shop and retailers around the world. In Legacy of the Void, brave commanders will embark on an intergalactic journey to unite the protoss race, take back their homeworld, and vanquish the ancient evil that now threatens to consume all life in the Koprulu sector.

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StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void features an expansive new campaign where players will take on the role of Artanis, Hierarch of the Daelaam, and take command of the mighty Spear of Adun—a magnificent protoss arkship capable of altering the course of battle from high above any conflict. As they fight to steer the protoss armada toward their ultimate destiny, players will also determine the ultimate fates of such iconic StarCraft characters as Jim Raynor, Kerrigan, and Zeratul.

Legacy of the Void is packed with new features and enhancements that make it the definitive multiplayer strategy experience, including Archon Mode, brand-new Co-op Missions, automated tournaments, and new multiplayer units for each faction that give commanders a whole new range of tactical possibilities.

“An epic campaign, game-changing multiplayer units, and all-new co-op and competitive modes combine to make Legacy of the Void our best StarCraft game yet,” said Mike Morhaime, CEO and cofounder of Blizzard Entertainment. “With more gameplay and story updates planned for after launch, and a new era of world-class StarCraft II esports ahead of us, the future of strategy gaming has never been brighter.

StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void is available now on Battle.net and in stores for a suggested retail price of $39.99. Anyone who purchases Legacy of the Void will also receive Artanis, noble Hierarch of the protoss (and mighty melee Warrior of the Nexus), in Blizzard’s free-to-play team brawler, Heroes of the Storm.

Players also have the option to upgrade their purchase to the Digital Deluxe Edition ($59.99), which unlocks a variety of in-game bonuses for Blizzard games, including an Archon battle pet for World of Warcraft®, a Void Speeder mount in Heroes of the Storm, and a protoss-themed card back in Hearthstone®: Heroes of Warcraft.

Legacy of the Void is also available in a retail-exclusive Collector’s Edition, which comes equipped with the digital bonus items from the Digital Deluxe Edition, as well as a special edition of the full-color hardcover StarCraft Field Manual (retail edition SRP $45); a DVD loaded with cinematics and special features; and a CD soundtrack. The Collector’s Edition is available at select retailers for a suggested retail price of $79.99. Check your local retailer for details and availability, as supplies are limited.

All-New Modes, Classic StarCraft II Gameplay

Legacy of the Void introduces several new ways to enjoy StarCraft II’s acclaimed real-time strategy gameplay. In Archon Mode, two players share control over a single base and units as they take on an enemy duo in multiplayer action. By sharing the responsibility of commanding troops and managing resources, players can focus on their own areas of the battle, execute more intricate strategies, and benefit from each other’s unique expertise.

Co-op Missions provide players with an all-new way to enjoy StarCraft II with friends. In this objective-based cooperative play mode, players team up and take on the roles of powerful commanders from the StarCraft saga. Each commander brings unique abilities to the table, including specialized upgrades and army bonuses. Players will join forces to battle through a series of challenging scenarios together, leveling up their commanders’ capabilities as they progress.

A host of new units will breathe new life into the online multiplayer battles that represent the core StarCraft II competitive experience. Zerg swarms will welcome the return of the Lurker, a classic creature from StarCraft: Brood War that lays waste to infantry with deadly spines which burst from the ground. The Protoss field a new weapon called the Disruptor, which can use massive energy spikes to wreak havoc through swaths of ground forces. And the Terrans have focused on establishing air superiority with the Liberator, a versatile, heavily armed gunship with twin missile launchers and the ability to transform into a stationary air platform. Six units are being added in total—two for each race—with many existing units receiving updates.

In addition to the features listed above, Legacy of the Void also includes enhancements to online multiplayer in the form of automated tournaments, providing players with exciting ongoing events that support the competitive StarCraft II community.

Legacy of the Void is a standalone experience that does not require players to own StarCraft II: Wings of Liberty® or Heart of the Swarm®, which is also now available as a standalone game.

Legacy of the Void is available today for Windows® and Mac® PCs. The game is fully localized in English, Brazilian Portuguese, European and Latin American Spanish, French, German, Italian, Polish, Russian, Korean, and simplified and traditional Chinese.

To learn more about StarCraft II and Legacy of the Void, or to try the StarCraft II Starter Edition for free, visit the official website at www.starcraft2.com.

With multiple games in development, Blizzard Entertainment has numerous positions currently available—visit jobs.blizzard.com for more information and to learn how to apply.

About Blizzard Entertainment

Best known for blockbuster hits including World of Warcraft® and the Warcraft®StarCraft®, and Diablo® franchises, Blizzard Entertainment, Inc. (www.blizzard.com), a division of Activision Blizzard (NASDAQ: ATVI), is a premier developer and publisher of entertainment software renowned for creating some of the industry's most critically acclaimed games. Blizzard Entertainment’s track record includes nineteen #1 games* and multiple Game of the Year awards. The company's online-gaming service, Battle.net®, is one of the largest in the world, with millions of active players.

*Sales and/or downloads, based on internal company records and reports from key distribution partners.

Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-looking Statements: Information in this press release that involves Blizzard Entertainment's expectations, plans, intentions or strategies regarding the future, including statements about StarCraft II: Legacy of the Void, are forward-looking statements that are not facts and involve a number of risks and uncertainties. Factors that could cause Blizzard Entertainment's actual future results to differ materially from those expressed in the forward-looking statements set forth in this release include unanticipated product delays and other factors identified in the risk factors sections of Activision Blizzard’s most recent annual report on Form 10-K and any subsequent quarterly reports on Form 10-Q. The forward-looking statements in this release are based upon information available to Blizzard Entertainment and Activision Blizzard as of the date of this release, and neither Blizzard Entertainment nor Activision Blizzard assumes any obligation to update any such forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements believed to be true when made may ultimately prove to be incorrect. These statements are not guarantees of the future performance of Blizzard Entertainment or Activision Blizzard and are subject to risks, uncertainties and other factors, some of which are beyond its control and may cause actual results to differ materially from current expectations.