For the last 16 years, Blizzcon has been a staple in the video gaming convention circuit as an opportunity for Blizzard to showcase the upcoming releases regarding Warcraft, Overwatch, Diablo, and its other IPs. However, in light of the recent controversy, lawsuits, and negative press that has surrounded the company lately, Blizzard has just announced the digital Blizzcon event, called Blizzconline, scheduled for February has been canceled until further notice.
In the announcement, Blizzard stated its intention to take the time and energy that would have been put towards making Blizzconline 2022 happen and redirecting it towards “supporting our teams and progressing development of our games and experiences.” The company seeks to take the time to “reimagine” Blizzcon for a new generation, seeking to turn Blizzcon into an event that feels “safe, welcoming, and inclusive” for everyone.
However, Blizzard also stated the cancelation of Blizzconline didn’t mean it wasn’t going to announce anything about its IPs. Throughout the announcement, Blizzard promised continued communication in regards to its games and with changes being made within the company in response to allegations and controversies it has been marred with since July.
This is the second time Blizzard has canceled Blizzcon since its inception in 2005. Though there were no Blizzcons scheduled in 2006 or 2012, the event in 2020 was the first time the company had to pull the plug on an already scheduled event. The 2020 event, which was canceled solely because of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, birthed the first digital Blizzconline, held in February of 2021. While the pandemic’s ramifications still affect every corner of the gaming industry, this cancellation is a direct reaction to the lawsuits filed against Blizzard over the last few months.
While it is unfortunate to see the event canceled, the decision has been largely well-received by the community. Blizzard has more important things to focus on right now than a showcase like Blizzcon–especially when the convention itself played a key role in the sexual harassment accusations levied against Blizzard. Though the event would have been largely digital, the idea of supporting the event where the ‘Cosby Suite’ incident happened would have left many Blizzard fans less than pleased.
Unfortunately, some fans have taken this announcement as an ill omen. Between the coronavirus pandemic and the lawsuits, the timing of Blizzard content has been severely impacted over the last two years, with delays of the Shadowlands expansion, Patch 9.1, and several books just in World of Warcraft. Most would rather see the company take the time to better itself and address the demands of its workers, even if that means new games and support for existing ones from Blizzard grinds to a halt.
Source: Blizzard