Backside line: Blizzard Leisure has canceled the 2024 installment of BlizzCon, the annual gaming conference normally held close to the tip of the yr in Anaheim, California. The corporate did not give a concrete cause as to why this yr’s occasion is now off, merely noting that they determined towards it after cautious consideration over the past yr. That mentioned, officers sit up for bringing BlizzCon again in future years.
The determination might have one thing to do with the corporate now being underneath Microsoft’s umbrella. As such, we will in all probability anticipate to be taught extra about upcoming Blizzard tasks like World of Warcraft: The Conflict Inside and the primary Diablo IV growth, Vessel of Hatred, throughout Microsoft’s annual Xbox showcase in June.
Blizzard additionally talked about plans for different commerce reveals like Gamescom and extra in-person gathers, like upcoming Overwatch Champions Collection’ stops at Dreamhack Dallas and Dreamhack Stockholm. There’ll even be a number of world, in-person occasions to have fun the thirtieth anniversary of Warcraft (the primary sport within the franchise, Warcraft: Orcs and People, launched on November 15, 1994).
Blizzard mentioned that whereas these different occasions will probably be distinct from BlizzCon, they’re working to harness their creativity and creativeness to make sure they carry the identical spirit of togetherness and celebration.
In-person gaming and tech conventions have struggled lately, and BlizzCon is not any exception. The gathering was canceled in 2020 as a consequence of Covid and was held as a web-based solely occasion the next yr. Blizzard additionally canceled the 2022 conference as a consequence of authorized points on the time. Issues acquired again on monitor in 2023, however it was quick lived.
E3 skilled related pitfalls following the pandemic. Final December, nevertheless, organizers threw within the towel and canceled the occasion for good. Thankfully, others have stepped in so the loss should not be as stinging as it’d in any other case have been.
Some additionally thought related conferences like CES have been in jeopardy, however organizers managed to host an abbreviated occasion in 2022 earlier than returning in full pressure in 2023.