Blizzcon is a must-watch gaming convention for PC gamers worldwide, renowned for huge game reveals like Overwatch, expansions for existing IPs, E-sports tournaments for Blizzard's most popular titles, and bountiful memes.
Well, Blizzard just canceled yet another Blizzcon event otherwise scheduled for November 2024.
Blizzcon Canceled Once Again
This isn't the first time Blizzard have stalled on delivering their storied convention. Blizzcon 2020 was canned due to Covid restrictions, while Blizzcon 2022 was canceled due to the raging PR fires started by news leaking of a rather questionable workplace culture permeating Blizzard's offices.
Now, the year is 2024. The PR scene at Blizzard seems to have stabilized. Chris Metzen is back on the WoW team, Microsoft are at the helm, and Bobby Kotick is cosplaying as Gallywix on some faraway yacht. So, why the cancellation this time?
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Why is Blizzcon 2024 Canceled?
We can only speculate as to the precise reasons for Blizzard canceling yet another Blizzcon in 2024. Perhaps the financials didn't add up to host another major in-person event. Or maybe there just wouldn't be a whole lot to reveal in terms of upcoming expansions and new games in 2024 for Blizzard.
At that, here's a snappy breakdown of where Blizzard's major titles currently sit in terms of impending updates:
- Blizzard have all but abandoned the Starcraft franchise and Heroes of the Storm.
- Earlier this year, Blizzard officially canceled their work-in-progress survival game called 'Odyssey.' Given this, it feels very unlikely that any brand new IPs would be announced at a 2024 Blizzcon event.
- The War Within is very likely to have launched before Blizzcon 2024's due date, meaning the only thing they could've revealed for WoW at a hypothetical Blizzcon would be patch-related.
- Overwatch 2 is not, as far as we are aware, pending any massive expansion-style updates in 2024. There would be little to reveal at Blizzcon 2024 for Overwatch besides, perhaps, a new hero.
- The lackluster launch and early seasons of Diablo 4 have resulted in a constant stream of communication from developers via campfire chats in a bid to stabilize and improve D4. Therefore players already have a solid grasp on where the game is headed. In addition, the Diablo 4 expansion, Vessel of Hatred, is set to release 'late 2024' meaning there's a good chance it will launch before Blizzcon's November due date.
If our above breakdown is even somewhat accurate, it looks as though there won't be a lot of new stuff to announce by November 2024.
Yeah, this seemed obvious the minute they canceled Odyssey. They already announced their plans for WoW for the next decade, what else are they gonna do?
_IsThatSo_ (Reddit user)
If true, maybe canceling Blizzcon is a blessing in disguise for us all, because better that than overwhelming disappointment come November, right? Another Reddit user, 'Asos10,' appears to agree.
They have nothing to announce. This is better than raising expectations and nothing is announced.
Asos10 (Reddit user)
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Will Blizzcon Come Back?
Blizzard did confirm in their announcement post that Blizzcon will almost certainly make a return 'in future years.' This is obviously very vague language, and it feels as if Blizzard are leaving the door open to the idea of Blizzcon while being deliberate about promising nothing directly.
If 2025 is a hot year for Blizzard games and they have stuff to release in December-January, then a 2025 Blizzcon is likely. And if not? Well, I might just be typing up the same darn article next year too.
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