Inside BlizzCon gaming mega-event where tens of thousands of players flock to celebrate world’s biggest games
BLIZZCON is one of the world’s biggest gaming conventions, attracting tens of thousands of adoring fans.
It’s hosted by Blizzard, which is responsible for some of gaming’s greatest franchises, including Warcraft, Diablo, Overwatch, and Starcraft – and I got a look inside.
The Activision-owned entertainment giant – now also parented by Microsoft as of October 2023 – has been hosting BlizzCon events since 2005, when World of Warcraft was just a year old.
Almost every year since, the event has drawn masses of gamers to the Anaheim Convention Center in California – just across the road from Disneyland.
The fact that attendees spend some of their time in BlizzCon’s halls and not Walt Disney’s “happiest place on Earth” is proof of the popularity of Blizzard’s iconic games.
In past years BlizzCon has attracted top musical talent like Metallica, Ozzy Osbourne, Linkin Park, Blink-182, Tenacious D, Muse and this year: K-pop sensations Le Sserafim.
Attendee counts typically range from 25,000 to 40,000, with players flooding in from across the US and around the world.
This year’s attendance figures haven’t been released yet, but BlizzCon’s halls were clearly jam-packed with gamers who lined up for Diablo-themed tattoos, a chance to play Overwatch’s new character, and the opportunity to collect limited-edition merchandise.
BlizzCon 2023 also hosted the Overwatch World Cup, with esports fans scrambling to get front-row seats to watch the best players from around the world compete for a $500,000 prize pool.
Game on!
The convention was forced to paused between 2019 and 2022 due to Covid-19.
But just like the virtual characters of Blizzard’s fans, BlizzCon was brilliantly resurrected in 2023.
Parts of the event are available to watch online for free, but committed fans forked out $299 for general admission, or $799 for special VIP tickets, to be there in person.
Part of the thrill for visitors is seeing the games they’ve played for years (and in some cases, decades) come to life beyond the computer screen.
And moreover, there’s the attraction of meeting up with fellow gamers to share in the joy.
“These games create friendships with people that last forever,” Blizzard President Mike Ybarra told The Sun.
“When I talk to people out there – my guide is here – it’s about seeing each other.
“You’re behind a keyboard and a screen, but you’ve played for 10 years, or two years, or 20 years together.
“And being able to be together in person builds that emotional connection and makes it stronger all through the games that we make.
“But to me it’s always been the social and community piece that makes BlizzCon what it is.”
Fan favorites
Some of those guests are Blizzard super-fans who spend significant time and money to create stunningly realistic cosplay outfits.
These skilled creators will dress as their favorite characters, with some elaborate costumes taking months to prepare.
They gladly pose for photo after photo, proud to show off their creations to fans of Blizzard’s beloved franchises.
One of the main attractions of BlizzCon is the arena showcase, which sees Blizzard make major announcements about its roster of games.
World of Warcraft received the most significant updates (with not one but three expansions revealed), but new content was offered up to Overwatch and Diablo players too.
Fans whoop and cheer as Blizzard execs dispense gaming surprises – like a Santa Claus whose sack is filled with elves and dragons.
Blizzard bigwig Chris Metzen was a highlight of the show, commanding the stage with a rock star-like performance to reveal Warcraft news.
Key announcements
Here's what was revealed...
- Three new World of Warcraft expansions as part of The Worldsoul Saga – including The War Within, coming next year
- World of Warcraft: Classic getting a Cataclysm expansion
- New Overwatch 2 tank hero Mauga joins the game, plus a teaser for a damage hero in season 10 and a fresh support in season 12
- A Hearthstone expansion called Showdown in the Badlands, taking place in the “wild west” of Azeroth
- A surprise debut from Xbox’s Phil Spencer to celebrate last month’s Microsoft buy-out of Activision-Blizzard
- The launch of Warcraft Rumble, a new mobile game set in the Warcraft universe
- The first Diablo 4 expansion, titled Vessel of Hatred, which will add a new class and two areas in late 2024
Blizzard has always been known for its lovingly crafted franchises, some of which date back to the mid-nineties.
It’s this longstanding gaming legacy that attracts such huge crowds to BlizzCon in a way that few other game-makers could manage.
And now the company is part of Microsoft’s multi-trillion-dollar stable of corporate power, it seems certain that BlizzCon will only get bigger in the future.
Though the popularity of Blizzard games might wax and wane, it’s clear that plenty of die-hard fans are still willing fork out big money to enter gaming’s version of the “happiest place on Earth” – and it’s no surprise why.