BlizzCon, the highly anticipated video game convention by Blizzard Entertainment, is set to return as an in-person event for the first time since 2019. The announcement of the in-person version came after Blizzard revealed their plans for the 2023 edition of the convention. Fans and regular attendees of BlizzCon may already have an idea of when and where the event will be held.
Previously, Blizzard Entertainment’s President, Mike Ybarra, mentioned during an end-of-year update that BlizzCon would be returning as an in-person convention in 2023. However, no specific details were provided at that time. The announcement followed the release of World of Warcraft: Dragonflight, the ninth expansion of Blizzard’s popular MMORPG. Considering the challenges faced by Blizzard in recent years, including allegations of a toxic workplace culture, the return of BlizzCon could be seen as a significant milestone for the company.
Blizzard has provided new details about BlizzCon 2023 through a recent blog post. The convention is scheduled to take place on Friday, November 3, and Saturday, November 4, at the Anaheim Convention Center in Anaheim, California. While specific ticket information is yet to be disclosed, Blizzard has announced that the keynote and selected panels will be available for free streaming on their Twitch and YouTube channels.
This timeframe and location align with the traditional schedule of BlizzCon before the COVID-19 pandemic led to the cancellation of the 2020 event. In response, Blizzard organized an online version of BlizzCon in 2021, which was well-received given the circumstances at the time.
BlizzCon 2023 Dates and Location
After the notable announcement of Diablo 2: Resurrected at BlizzCon 2021, plans were initially set for BlizzCon 2022 to be another digital-only event. However, due to the troubling allegations surrounding Blizzard and the negative attention it received, the company made the decision to cancel BlizzCon 2022.
The allegations sparked lawsuits and significant internal changes within the company’s leadership, leading to the departure of numerous employees. Despite these challenges, Microsoft’s ongoing efforts to acquire Activision Blizzard suggest potential impacts on this year’s BlizzCon, although the exact nature of these discussions and their influence on the event remain uncertain.
BlizzCon later this year holds great anticipation as Blizzard has a plethora of content to tease and excite fans. With the cancellation of Overwatch 2’s PvE mode, attendees can expect the unveiling and demonstration of new Heroes during the event. Additionally, considering that World of Warcraft’s 20th anniversary is approaching in 2024, BlizzCon might provide a sneak peek into the plans for this milestone celebration. All in all, fans of Blizzard can look forward to upcoming announcements and developments as plans start to take shape for the much-anticipated event.
