Thursday, April 25th 2024

Blizzard Cancels Blizzcon 2024

Press Release by
TheLostSwede
 Discuss (52 Comments)
After careful consideration over the last year, we at Blizzard have made the decision not to hold BlizzCon in 2024. This decision was not made lightly as BlizzCon remains a very special event for all of us, and we know many of you look forward to it. While we're approaching this year differently and as we have explored different event formats in the past, rest assured that we are just as excited as ever to bring BlizzCon back in future years.

Over the next few months, we'll be sharing more details about our launches coming later this year, including World of Warcraft: The War Within and Diablo IV's first expansion, Vessel of Hatred. To celebrate these upcoming releases and to bring our communities together in new and special ways, we will soon share some exciting plans for other industry trade shows and conventions like Gamescom. We can't wait to tell you more about those plans soon. We're also looking forward to the Overwatch Champions Series' stops at both Dreamhack Dallas and Dreamhack Stockholm. And we're thrilled to be planning multiple, global, in-person events to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Warcraft, which will be held in addition to the in-game celebrations across our Warcraft games throughout 2024. While these events are distinct from BlizzCon, we're harnessing all of our creativity and imagination to ensure that they carry the same spirit of celebration and togetherness.
Our hope is that these experiences - alongside several live-streamed industry events where we'll keep you up to date with what's happening in our game universes - will capture the essence of what makes the Blizzard community so special.

No matter how you choose to connect with us at these events this year - whether it be in person or virtually - we can't wait to see you there!
Source: Blizzard Entertainment

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52 Comments on Blizzard Cancels Blizzcon 2024

#26
Chrispy_
CrAsHnBuRnXpGive them time to change. Microsoft just acquired them and MS is keen on letting blizzard be blizzard.
I suspect the spark and talent that made Blizzard what it was fled the rotting carcass to start or join other studios long ago.

Blizzard's workforce is likely just the desperate leftovers who didn't fancy their chances anywhere else. It sure sounds like Stockholm Syndrome if you read the nightmares of Blizzard employees under Kotic's Activision. Look at how clueless the Diablo IV team was, publicly making mistake after mistake after mistake. They're learning which is good, but it's very clear that NOBODY with any experience or history of the Blizzard we all grew up loving is still there - and that's just the game design and development team. As for marketing and sales at Blizzard, it's the worst of the worst; Massive price tag like a standalone AAA title but then predatory microtransactions at insane pricing and a very F2P, grindy metagame designed to exploit the whales and sour the game for everyone else. Diablo Immortal? Overwatch 2? The latter SC2 expansions after the runaway success of the incredible SC2:WOL launch...
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#27
bug
Chrispy_I suspect the spark and talent that made Blizzard what it was fled the rotting carcass to start or join other studios long ago.

Blizzard's workforce is likely just the desperate leftovers who didn't fancy their chances anywhere else. It sure sounds like Stockholm Syndrome if you read the nightmares of Blizzard employees under Kotic's Activision. Look at how clueless the Diablo IV team was, publicly making mistake after mistake after mistake. They're learning which is good, but it's very clear that NOBODY with any experience or history of the Blizzard we all grew up loving is still there - and that's just the game design and development team. As for marketing and sales at Blizzard, it's the worst of the worst; Massive price tag like a standalone AAA title but then predatory microtransactions at insane pricing and a very F2P, grindy metagame designed to exploit the whales and sour the game for everyone else. Diablo Immortal? Overwatch 2? The latter SC2 expansions after the runaway success of the incredible SC2:WOL launch...
This isn't specific to Blizzard or gaming or even software. When thing go sour in a company, the real talent is the first to go, those people know they can find similar or better working conditions elsewhere. The company is left with people that pretend to know and people that pretend they can keep tabs on those pretending to know. It will turn toxic fast.
Posted on Reply
#28
L'Eliminateur
EatingDirtThey only have 2 games anyone gets excited about anymore, WoW & Diablo (Overwatch killed itself with the promises 2 broke). Diablo 4 still was still fresh for 2023, but there's a lot less enthusiastic hardcore fans these days, with plenty of quality ARPG's around better suited to those types of players(Path of Exile, in particular).

Basically, the bulk of their enthusastic fanbase is the WoW Fanbase, and while that is a large fanbase, there's only so much of a con you can do when you develop multiple games, but there's only one game the bulk of the attendees care about.
indeed at this point they should rename it "wowcon" or "one-trick ponycon" i'm still amazed how they keep stealing with wow...
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#29
iameatingjam
Maybe there just aint enough Blizzard fans anymore. I mean there's still a lot. But... there is a lot resentment towards them, including from me. They aren't the beloved do no wrong company they once were. Its just a name and the IPs now. The people who made Blizzard Blizzard are gone. So I'm not only saying maybe there'd be less ticket sales, but also maybe, some awkward moments and bad publicity? IDK.
Prima.VeraWhen you have Diablo IV as the biggest fail from the history of gaming, what to expect??
Was it? I remember when it launched, it seemed rather popular in some of the groups I'm in. I was kind of shocked how many people were buying it. I'm like... you guys remember the last 10 years right? I'm not trusting of Blizzard to not mess this up somehow. I mean I'm not opposed to ever buying another blizzard game but there's just no goodwill left, so they'd have to rebuild some trust first. Week 1 impressions... not enough.

But then I stopped paying attention. What do you mean biggest fail?
Posted on Reply
#30
bug
iameatingjamMaybe there just aint enough Blizzard fans anymore. I mean there's still a lot. But... there is a lot resentment towards them, including from me. They aren't the beloved do no wrong company they once were. Its just a name and the IPs now. The people who made Blizzard Blizzard are gone. So I'm not only saying maybe there'd be less ticket sales, but also maybe, some awkward moments and bad publicity? IDK.
The old Blizzard was about one title in the works and that was it. It was about quality releases that translated to "it will be released when it's done". None of that works well in conjunction with a yearly event.
Posted on Reply
#31
AsRock
TPU addict
we're harnessing all of our creativity and imagination to ensure that they carry the same spirit of celebration and togetherness.
So we canceled it, shame MS got there dirty hands on it now. Blizzards been distroying it self for a long time, to the point were the great talent are not even in that company now.

Their games have been dead to me for a long time now.

Posted on Reply
#32
iameatingjam
bugThe old Blizzard was about one title in the works and that was it. It was about quality releases that translated to "it will be released when it's done". None of that works well in conjunction with a yearly event.
Sorry, I'm not taking your meaning. You mean really old 90s blizzard? Related to this how?
Posted on Reply
#33
bug
iameatingjamSorry, I'm not taking your meaning. You mean really old 90s blizzard? Related to this how?
Yes, I meant mostly Blizzard up to Diablo II/Diablo II - LoD.
Posted on Reply
#34
dirtyferret
Vayra86Thanks, now I'm trying to picture a ferret into that dress all day.
I waxed my back and I was going to wear underwear (clean) this time!

bugYes, I meant mostly Blizzard up to Diablo II/Diablo II - LoD.
That was Blizzard North (AKA Condor) Those guys have been gone for 20 years. Some of those guys went on to make Flagship/Runic games.
Posted on Reply
#35
bug
dirtyferretThat was Blizzard North (AKA Condor) Those guys have been gone for 20 years. Some of those guys went on to make Flagship/Runic games.
Iirc, Blizzard North was Diablo&Diablo II. Warcraft, Warcraft 2, Starcraft was the original Blizzard. But like you noted, long gone.
Posted on Reply
#36
dirtyferret
bugIirc, Blizzard North was Diablo&Diablo II. Warcraft, Warcraft 2, Starcraft was the original Blizzard. But like you noted, long gone.
maybe I was confused but you only mentioned Diablo II. The other IPs were all Blizzard but really all the people who created those IPs are gone
bugI meant mostly Blizzard up to Diablo II/Diablo II - LoD.
Posted on Reply
#37
NoneRain
Blizzard is dead folks, move on.
Posted on Reply
#38
bug
dirtyferretmaybe I was confused but you only mentioned Diablo II. The other IPs were all Blizzard but really all the people who created those IPs are gone
"up to" ;)
Posted on Reply
#39
Craptacular
Guwapo77A friend from my guild told me the reason they cancelled Blizzcon is because they are rolling everything together in a 30 year anniversary event. I guess we'll find out later this year if this is true.
Blizzard was founded in 1991, their 30th anniversary was in 2021........
Posted on Reply
#40
Guwapo77
CraptacularBlizzard was founded in 1991, their 30th anniversary was in 2021........
Yes, you are correct. However, it's the 30th year of Warcraft.|

"Over the next few months, we’ll be sharing more details about our launches coming later this year, including World of Warcraft: The War Within and Diablo IV's first expansion, Vessel of Hatred.To celebrate these upcoming releases and to bring our communities together in new and special ways, we will soon share some exciting plans for other industry trade shows and conventions like Gamescom. We can’t wait to tell you more about those plans soon. We’re also looking forward to the Overwatch Champions Series’ stops at both Dreamhack Dallas and Dreamhack Stockholm. And we’re thrilled to be planning multiple, global, in-person events to commemorate the 30th anniversary of Warcraft, which will be held in addition to the in-game celebrations across our Warcraft games throughout 2024. While these events are distinct from BlizzCon, we’re harnessing all of our creativity and imagination to ensure that they carry the same spirit of celebration and togetherness."
Posted on Reply
#41
faye
Guwapo77We saw what happened to Blizzard when Activision bought them. There were cheers from the player base when rumor of Microsoft buying Activision/Blizzard. I've seen what happens to studios under Microsoft's boot. I do wonder if my fellow Blizzard subscribers are still optimistic about this takeover? The next 3 updates are nothing but rehashed content with increased item levels from now until August/September.
Not going to defend MS, but the problem with Blizzard is and has been Blizzard for a long, long time now. They're a trash company with trash products (and yes, I paid like $80 for Diablo 4 and haven't opened it in months, so that's not without basis) that don't warrant any consideration, nevermind an entire "con" (shitty private trade show) to celebrate them. They can't die fast enough.
Posted on Reply
#42
enb141
Back before the pandemic, they had Starcraft and Heroes of the Storm (HOTS), I was die hard fan of HOTS but they decided to kill it, so without those IPs, blizzcon relying only with WOW and Diablo is very unlikely to get as big as it was in the past.
Posted on Reply
#43
Guwapo77
fayeNot going to defend MS, but the problem with Blizzard is and has been Blizzard for a long, long time now. They're a trash company with trash products (and yes, I paid like $80 for Diablo 4 and haven't opened it in months, so that's not without basis) that don't warrant any consideration, nevermind an entire "con" (shitty private trade show) to celebrate them. They can't die fast enough.
Blizzard fell off when they teamed up with Activision and most of the OG staff left. Then to have an even bigger monster to come in...yeah...I think its another nail in the coffin. It hurts my heart because I've played WoW since launch day. Like the saying goes, all good things come to an end.
Posted on Reply
#44
Totally
EatingDirtTDiablo 4 still was still fresh for 2023, but there's a lot less enthusiastic hardcore fans these days....
And that's their own damn fault they just about axed everything that attracted hardcore players and replaced any min/maxing with cookie cutter grinds. When everyone has to spend hours and hours just to end up in the same exact place it isn't fun. What makes grinding for gear or bearable or enjoyable is that you are always looking for the next best piece, if you already know what the absolutely best piece out there is, it just becomes a chore.
Posted on Reply
#45
faye
TotallyAnd that's to there own damn fault they just about axed everything that attracted hardcore players and replaced to those players, and replaced any min/maxing with cookie cutter grinds. When everyone has to spend hours and hours just to end up in the same exact place it isn't fun. What makes grinding for gear or bearable or enjoyable is that you are always looking for the next best piece, if you already know what the best absolutely piece out there is it just becomes a chore.
This is why I've only played one "season" of Diablo 4. It's just a bad game.
Posted on Reply
#46
b1k3rdude
overclockedamdShucks I wont have a blizzcon video I wasn't going to watch in the first place.
indeed.
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#49
kapone32
fayeThis is why I've only played one "season" of Diablo 4. It's just a bad game.
I am not going to say Diablo 4 is a bad Game but the fun factor was not as high as Last Epoch.
Posted on Reply
#50
64K
Diablo 4 was kind of a flash in the pan. The latest I read is that it generated 666 million USD (that's cute) in revenue and at it's high point in August last year had 12 million players but it seems to have died off pretty quick. Hardly hear anything more about it lately.
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