Earlier this 12 months Blizzard as soon as once more canceled an in-person BlizzCon as a result of ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, however promised they’d be holding one other digital Blizzconline occasion in early 2023. Issues haven’t gone nicely for the studio since then, with an explosive discrimination lawsuit rocking the once-respected developer to its core. Maybe unsurprisingly, it’s now been announced that Blizzconline is not happening in early 2023 as beforehand deliberate, and moreover, it seems like the entire BlizzCon idea could also be in flux.
We’ve determined to take a step again and pause on planning the beforehand introduced BlizzConline occasion scheduled for early subsequent 12 months. This was a tricky choice for all of us to make, nevertheless it’s the fitting one. Any BlizzCon occasion takes each single certainly one of us to make occur, an entire-company effort, fueled by our need to share what we create with the group we care about a lot. Presently, we really feel the vitality it might take to placed on a present like that is greatest directed in direction of supporting our groups and progressing improvement of our video games and experiences.
Moreover, we might additionally prefer to take the time to reimagine what a BlizzCon occasion of the long run might appear to be. The primary BlizzCon was held 16 years in the past, and a lot has modified within the time since—most notably, the a number of methods wherein gamers and communities can come collectively and really feel like they’re part of one thing larger. Regardless of the occasion seems like sooner or later, we additionally want to make sure that it feels as protected, welcoming, and inclusive as potential. We’re dedicated to continuous communication with our gamers, and we see BlizzCon enjoying a giant position in that going ahead. We’re enthusiastic about what we’ll do with the occasion after we revisit it sooner or later.
Actually, it’s type of onerous to think about we’ll ever return to the enthusiastic BlizzCon fan fests of yore, notably contemplating the truth that quite a lot of the alleged Blizzard abuses are said to have happened at BlizzCon. So yeah, don’t count on one other BlizzCon any time quickly, however Blizzard remains to be promising updates on tasks like Overwatch 2 and Diablo IV are nonetheless pending…
Yet another factor we wished to clarify: regardless that we aren’t holding BlizzConline in February, we’ll nonetheless be making bulletins and updates for our video games. We’re happy with our groups and the progress they’ve made throughout our video games. We now have lots of thrilling upcoming information and releases to share with you. You’ll proceed listening to about these by means of our franchise channels, with the proficient individuals on the BlizzCon crew enjoying a component in supporting these efforts.
For individuals who haven’t been maintaining, California’s Division of Truthful Employment and Housing (DFEH) has filed go well with towards Activision Blizzard, alleging gender-based discrimination and sexual harassment on the Name of Obligation and World of Warcraft writer. Activision Blizzard’s official response to the suit accuses the DFEH of “distorted […] and false” descriptions and insists the image painted is “just isn’t the Blizzard office of in the present day.” An open letter objecting to the official response was signed by hundreds of present and former Acti-Blizz workers, resulting in a employee walkout. Acti-Blizz CEO Bobby Kotick would finally apologize for the corporate’s preliminary response, calling it “tone deaf.” A number of high-ranking Blizzard workers, together with former president J. Allen Brack and Diablo IV and World of Warcraft crew leaders have resigned or been fired, main to call adjustments for some characters. The story has even attracted the eye of the US Federal Authorities, with the Securities and Alternate Fee (SEC) opening a “wide-ranging” investigation. Sadly, in-fighting has additionally damaged out between among the companies investigating Activision Blizzard, together with the DFEH and the US Equal Employment Alternative Fee (EEOC).
What do you suppose? Will you miss BlizzCon? Or is it time to retire the establishment?
