BlizzCon 2012 Cancelled, Blizzard Calms The Masses
If you’re a regular attendee at Blizzcon, I’ve got some awful news for you (and your guild). Word has it that Blizzard has cancelled the epic convention known as Blizzcon, putting a halt on six successful years of the event. You can put your cosplay costume back in its protective casing and play the waiting game until the next convention in 2013.
Here is the official statement from Blizzard:
“We’re excited to be showcasing Blizzard eSports on a truly global stage this year. We're also heavily focused on getting Diablo III, Mists of Pandaria, and Heart of the Swarm into players’ hands as soon as possible. In light of our jam-packed schedule, we’ve decided to hold the next BlizzCon in 2013.”
The announcement was made on January 25th that Blizzard wouldn’t be able to continue the saga due to their “jam-packed schedule” of AAA games in development. The first Blizzcon was started in the fall of 2005 and was welcomed with a generous showing of around eight thousand people. No one knew it, but a quest unlike any other had begun. Blizzard has been around for more than a decade (established in 1991), contributing more than its fair share of advancements to the video game industry. They have single handedly redefined an entire genre, and created a lifestyle out of the type of gameplay that others deemed impossible at first.
I can only imagine how long it took to make that mystic bow
To those that see MMORPG’s (Massive Multiplayer Online Role Playing Games) as a way of life, a convention showcasing new features and games is truly a blessing. To top it off, California seems to have been the perfect place to host such an event.
Blizzard has missed out big as we all know, but missing this convention is a well calculated move. It’s been noted that Blizzard hasn’t made a decent profit from the series of conventions, and with the economy how it is, giving away swag bags shouldn’t be a main priority for any publisher. They will take this time and invest in new strategies to make the next Blizzcon even better than before.
One sad panda that wont be going to Blizzcon '12
"Not enough money" is a problem that AAA publishers and developers suffer from ever so often, resulting in whole branches being shut down and constant strategy revisions. Even though Blizzard holds the MMO belt, it can easily be lost dealing with the media and trying to please hundreds of people.
This event has provided Blizzard with the perfect vehicles to promote and inform the general public about their MMO advancements, becoming a staple attraction for the masses in California. Keep in mind that this is not the first cancelled Blizzcon; in 2006 Blizzard gave the convention thumbs down and refocused its efforts on the next year, which paid off greatly in the long run.
Seeing as how this convention is held right before winter, you have to admire Blizzards timing. Having a convention in this time frame means a lot for the video gaming industry. You can count on a lot of press attending and the media reporting on all the awesomeness that goes on at the convention (if it were to happen this year).
Whose that weirdo in the blue shirt at Blizzcon?
This is where Blizzard showcases their newest creations and games, and entertaining tens of thousands of die-hard gamers is not something to be underestimated. I’m sure that the first time around didn’t go as smoothly as planned, but with a dedicated fan base it's almost scary to see who would be willing to take the love of their game to the next level.
With tickets ranging upwards of two-hundred big ones, the casual gamer is stopped in his or her tracks. It is safe to say that most MMO players are not casual gamers, but do in fact operate with a casual gamer’s budget. Fortunately, this year you can keep your money and look at all the shiny games and expansions Blizzard has prepared for us.
Blizzcon even gets celebrities worked up enough to preform
To help curb the disappointment of a cancelled Blizzcon, Blizzard has announced that they will be hosting the Battle.net World Championship for 2012 in Asia towards the end of the year. The Battle.net World Championship is basically a consolation prize for being a devoted fan to the franchise, and though it’s no Blizzcon, it should still entertain. I’m glad they decided to make these announcements early on in the year; holding back a mass of geeks never leaves anyone happy.
Here’s the official announcement from Blizzard:
“Blizzard Entertainment is proud to announce the 2012 Battle.net World Championship, a major global eSports event featuring some of the best pro-gaming competition in the world. Slated to take place in Asia toward the end of 2012, the Battle.net World Championship will host this year’s StarCraft II and World of Warcraft Arena World Championship tournaments. Blizzard gamers and eSports fans from around the world will be invited to attend and witness some of the most skilled pro players on the planet battle it out for cash and glory.”
Any details concerning Blizzcon 2013 & the 2012 Battle.net World Championships will be reported by GamerGaia as soon as possible, so make sure to stay tuned in to stay updated.
Source: BlizzCon
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