Blizzard has introduced it is not going to maintain its annual BlizzCon occasion in 2024, however promised the occasion will return in future years.
In a press release to press, Blizzard did not share the rationale for the cancellation of the occasion, although it stated the choice was “not made evenly.” Moreover, the corporate plans to take part in different business occasions all year long as an alternative:
Over the following few months, we’ll be sharing extra particulars about our launches coming later this yr, together with World of Warcraft: The Warfare Inside and Diablo IV’s first enlargement, Vessel of Hatred. To rejoice these upcoming releases and to convey our communities collectively in new and particular methods, we’ll quickly share some thrilling plans for different business commerce exhibits and conventions like Gamescom. We will’t wait to inform you extra about these plans quickly. We’re additionally trying ahead to the Overwatch Champions Collection’ stops at each Dreamhack Dallas and Dreamhack Stockholm. And we’re thrilled to be planning a number of, international, in-person occasions to commemorate the thirtieth anniversary of Warcraft, which might be held in addition to the in-game celebrations throughout our Warcraft video games all through 2024. Whereas these occasions are distinct from BlizzCon, we’re harnessing all of our creativity and creativeness to make sure that they carry the identical spirit of celebration and togetherness.
This information comes simply as BlizzCon was getting again on its toes. The occasion was totally canceled in 2020 as a result of COVID-19 pandemic, then returned briefly as a digital present in 2021 earlier than happening hiatus once more in 2022. Final yr, BlizzCon was held once more in-person for the primary time in 4 years.
Whereas BlizzCon’s cancellation might come as a shock to followers, it makes some quantity of sense. BlizzCon is historically the place Blizzard unveils all its main bulletins forward of the approaching yr, however 2024 would have nearly definitely had a skinny slate. The following World of Warcraft enlargement, The Warfare Inside, is deliberate for launch someday in the summer time or fall of this yr, forward of when BlizzCon often happens. Diablo 4 does have an upcoming enlargement deliberate for launch in late 2024, but it surely’s fully attainable that is slated to occur forward of BlizzCon as effectively, leaving Blizzard with little new to disclose on that entrance both. With its upcoming survival sport canceled, that would depart Overwatch 2 and Hearthstone to hold the majority of the convention’s main reveals, and neither sport appears poised to sit down in the recent seat for a whole convention.
What’s extra, Blizzard was hit by layoffs earlier this yr; it was certainly one of a number of divisions impacted by the reducing of 1,900 employees from Microsoft’s online game arm in January. With Activision Blizzard nonetheless getting its toes beneath it following its acquisition final yr amid a local weather of wider business price range cuts and layoffs, it is smart to not spend a ton of cash on a convention. What’s much less clear is what BlizzCon will appear like when it does return – now beneath Microsoft’s oversight.
Microsoft will maintain its Q3 earnings name later right this moment, which can clarify the timing of the BlizzCon information.
Rebekah Valentine is a senior reporter for IGN. Bought a narrative tip? Ship it to rvalentine@ign.com.