Something that fans of many hobbies have had to deal with over the past few years is the cancellation of physical conventions. In gaming, multiple major events have either been hosted in a digital only format or canceled entirely, such asE3 this year which didn’t take placeeither as a physical or streamed event.Blizzard’sonce annual convention, BlizzCon is one such occasion that has been absent from the gaming calendar since 2019, with 2020, and 2022 not having a digital showcase.
2021 did see some form of BlizzContake place, but again this didn’t compare to the atmosphere created by live crowd reactions and responses. However, it seems that 2023 may mark a return to form for BlizzCon. At least, that is according to current Blizzard Head Mike Ybarra, who spoke about the plans underway to bring the convention back. According to Ybarra, the feeling at the company is that a return to a live event is wanted.
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A new leader of BlizzCon, April McKee, has recently been hired, and is “hard at work” on the plan tobring BlizzCon back in 2023, something that Ybarra claimsBlizzardis committed to. There isn’t currently a proposed date for a BlizzCon return, but with many gaming events going back to at least having a small amount of people being present physically, it could be expected at any time. Previously, Blizzard has stated that whatever BlizzCon looks like in the future, it must feel as “safe, welcoming, and inclusive as possible.”
Something that Blizzard also intends to do in the 2023 BlizzCon is to celebrate its community. The relationship between Blizzard and its community has been strained in recent years, with fans upset with the company for multiple reasons. In 2021,allegations were made against Activision Blizzardthat the company encouraged a “frat boy” work culture, enabling sexual harassment. Then, more recently, players ofDiablo Immortalhave grown increasingly frustrated with the game’s aggressive microtransactions.
With there being a few reasons fans have grown frustrated with Blizzard, one of the company’s priorities according to Mike Ybarra is to rebuilt trust with fans and employees. Depending on how it handles its return to a physical Blizzcon event, this could be the first stepBlizzard takes in rebuilding trust with its fans. However, considering the serious allegations still held against the company, and the frustrations fans have due toDiablo Immortal, it may take more than a convention to repair the trust completely.
